The faith of the Church of Alexandria
The Coptic Orthodox Church is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world. It traces its beginning to St Mark the Apostle, who brought the Gospel to Alexandria, Egypt, in the first century. The word Copt comes from the Greek word for Egyptian.
For nearly two thousand years the Church has preserved the faith handed down from the Apostles, through times of peace and of persecution. Today it is led by His Holiness the Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St Mark, and its faithful live on every continent.
The Coptic Church belongs to the family of Oriental Orthodox Churches. Our worship and spiritual life are shaped by:
- Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition, interpreted by the Church Fathers, including St Athanasius and St Cyril of Alexandria.
- The Nicene Creed, which the Church confesses at every Liturgy.
- The Seven Holy Sacraments: Baptism, Chrismation, Confession, Holy Communion, Unction of the Sick, Matrimony and Priesthood.
- A life of prayer and fasting, following the rhythm of the Coptic calendar, its feasts and its fasting seasons.
- The communion of saints, including the Holy Virgin Mary, the martyrs, and the Desert Fathers who began Christian monasticism in Egypt.
Founded by St Mark the ApostleUnder the shepherding of our diocese
St Mark & St Philopater is a parish of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Western Canada, in communion with the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria. Our bishop oversees the spiritual life of the parishes in the diocese, ordains its clergy and guides its ministries.
Diocesan Bishop
His Grace [Bishop’s name]
Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Western Canada. [A short biography of His Grace will be added here.]
Serving our parish
Our clergy serve the parish through the sacraments, pastoral care, teaching and visiting the sick. Please reach out to them through the church office at any time.
Parish Priest
Fr. [Name]
[A short introduction to Father: ordination, years serving the parish, and areas of ministry.]
Deacons & Servants
Our Deacons
The deacons of the parish assist in the Liturgy, lead the hymns and serve in many ministries throughout the week.
St Mark & St Philopater
St Mark the Apostle and Evangelist
Founder of the Church of Alexandria · First Patriarch
St Mark wrote the second Gospel and was among the Seventy disciples. He travelled with St Paul and St Barnabas and later carried the Gospel to Egypt, where he established the Church in Alexandria and became its first bishop. He founded the Catechetical School of Alexandria, which became a great centre of Christian learning.
St Mark was martyred in Alexandria around the year 68. Every Coptic Orthodox patriarch since is called the successor of St Mark, and the Church honours him as the one who first brought Christ to Africa.
St Philopater Mercurius (Abu Sefein)
Great martyr · “The one with two swords”
St Mercurius was a brave and devout soldier of the Roman army in the third century. After a vision of an angel who gave him a second sword and promised him victory, he led his troops to triumph and rose to high rank. He was given the name Philopater, meaning “lover of the Father.”
When the emperor ordered him to offer sacrifice to idols, Mercurius refused, laid down his military honours and confessed Christ. He endured torture with great courage and received the crown of martyrdom while still young. Copts lovingly call him Abu Sefein, “the father of two swords,” and many churches around the world bear his name.
Through the intercessions of St Mark and St Philopater, may the Lord bless our parish and all who visit it.