Did You Know that Saint Mark Evangelized in Egypt?

Did you know that Saint Mark brought the Gospel to the land of the pyramids? Author of the second Gospel, he is a central figure in the history of Christianity in Egypt. He is considered the founder of Christianity in Africa and the first patriarch of Alexandria. He is credited with the creation of the Catechetical School of Alexandria. It was a highly influential theological center that helped shape the theology and liturgical practices that, over time, shaped the Alexandrian Rite.

Saint Mark’s mission in this Egyptian city was crucial. His legacy lives on thanks to the admirable faith of the Coptic Christians.

In this article, we will tell you how Saint Mark brought the Gospel to Egypt, giving rise to the Coptic Church and the Alexandrian Rite. We will also reflect on the fidelity of the Copts despite the harsh persecutions suffered throughout the centuries.

Saint Mark in Egypt

Saint Mark was born in Cyrene into a wealthy Jewish family. His mother, Mary, opened her house in Jerusalem to welcome Jesus and his disciples. It is believed that the Cenacle was located in her home. This place would become the first Christian church and the headquarters of the first community meetings.

He was cousin of Saint Barnabas, whom he accompanied with Saint Paul on his first missionary journey. However, upon reaching dangerous regions, Saint Mark became frightened and returned to his homeland. On the second trip, Barnabas wanted to take him again, but Paul opposed it due to doubts about his perseverance, which caused the separation of the two apostles. Barnabas took Mark to Cyprus. Later, Saint Mark became a close collaborator of Saint Paul again in Rome.

He became secretary and trusted disciple of Saint Peter. He listened to his sermons and memorized the deeds and words of Jesus. At the request of the Christians of Rome, he wrote what he heard Peter preach, giving rise to the Gospel according to Saint Mark. This gospel is the shortest of the four. It is full of graphic narratives, vivid details, and attractive pictures of Jesus’ gestures, looks, and feelings. His style reflects the accuracy of an eyewitness.

Saint Mark arrived in Alexandria around 43 AD, sent by the apostles Peter and Paul, during the reign of Emperor Claudius. After a first miracle with a shoemaker named Anianus, he preached the Gospel, baptized believers, and formed the first Christian community in Egypt. He founded a theological school and established the system of the Divine Liturgy, which would later be adopted and adapted by Saint Cyril as the Divine Liturgy of Saint Cyril.

His preaching made the faith prosper, provoking the wrath of the pagans, who martyred him in 68 AD, during Easter, while he was dragged through the streets of Alexandria. His body was buried in the church of Baucalis, which became the first church in Egypt and Africa. His relics were later transferred to Venice, where they are venerated. Recently, a part was returned to the Coptic Catholic Church of Alexandria.

Saint Mark is represented with a lion, a symbol of his strength and courage.

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The Coptic Church

Early Centuries

The Coptic Church, also known as the See of Saint Mark, as we saw previously, considers the evangelist its founder.

Thanks to his preaching, Christianity was distinguished from its beginnings by an intense intellectual activity and rapid diffusion among the urban population of Alexandria. In this environment, the Alexandrian theological school, the Didascalea, was born in the second century, with Church Fathers as illustrious as Saint Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Saint Athanasius of Alexandria and Saint Cyril.

Tradition also attributes to the Christians of Alexandria the use of the cross of Christ as a distinctive symbol of their faith. Despite its growth, the fidelity of the Coptic Christians was forged through centuries of persecution, especially during the cruel persecution of Diocletian between the years 303 and 305, where countless faithful suffered martyrdom.

After the Edict of Milan, which put an end to the persecutions, Alexandria quickly became one of the most influential centers of early Christianity. The bishops adopted the title of “Pope” (from the Greek Παπας, “Father”) and developed the liturgy of Saint Mark. The city was the scene of intense theological debates.

It was there where, at the beginning of the fourth century, Arianism arose, a heresy that denied the divinity of Christ. This conflict culminated in the Council of Nicaea (325), where Saint Athanasius of Alexandria played a crucial role in defending the faith of the Church and contributing to the formulation of the Nicene Creed. This council not only consolidated Christian doctrine but also confirmed the preeminence of Alexandria. Its jurisdiction extended over the entire Nile Valley and as far as Ethiopia.

It was formally recognized at the Council of Chalcedon (451) as one of the patriarchal sees of Christendom.

Schism

Later, the doctrine of monophysitism appeared. It maintains that Jesus Christ has only one nature, the divine. The human nature would have been absorbed by the divine after the Incarnation. This belief, also known as Eutychianism, by its promoter Eutyches, rejects the teaching of the Council of Chalcedon (451) which affirms two natures in Christ (one divine and one human) without mixture or confusion.

Dioscorus, patriarch of Alexandria, defended Cyril’s vision (miaphysitism). This doctrine, derived from monophysitism, affirms that in Christ there is a single nature that unites the divine and the human without mixture or confusion. Dioscorus was banished by the Byzantine emperor and replaced by Proterius.

The Egyptian population rejected the imposition of Byzantium, because they did not want to submit politically to Byzantium. After the assassination of Proterius in 457, the Coptic clergy elected Timothy Aelurus, who rejected the definitions of the Council of Chalcedon and excommunicated the patriarch of Byzantium. Thus began the schism that gave rise to the Coptic Church (separated from Rome).

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Coptic Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church tirelessly sought unity with the Coptic Church. The first formal attempt occurred at the Council of Florence in 1442, when a representative of the Coptic patriarch John XI of Alexandria signed a bull of union with Pope Eugene IV. However, this agreement was repudiated by the Coptic hierarchy in Egypt.

Subsequently, between the 16th and 17th centuries, new diplomatic efforts were carried out for the union with the help of the Jesuits. Although there were professions of faith and the acceptance of Catholic doctrine by some Coptic delegates in Rome, the union was not consolidated due to disagreements over the autonomy of the patriarchate and the demand for obedience by the Pope.

Throughout the 17th century, Catholic missionaries, mainly Franciscans and Jesuits, worked in Egypt, which led to the formation of a small community of Catholic Copts. These efforts led to the creation of an apostolic vicariate for the Copts , which was formally established in 1741 under the leadership of the Coptic Orthodox bishop Athanasios of Jerusalem, who had converted to Catholicism.

Due to the growth of the Catholic community, the Coptic Catholic Patriarchate was re-established, although with many difficulties due to the Ottoman persecutions.

Currently, the Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts presides over the patriarchal synod, a body of all Coptic Catholic bishops. Although it is in full communion with Rome, the Coptic Catholic Church enjoys an autonomy that allows it to elect its own patriarch and bishops and make internal decisions.

The Coptic Catholic Church has its headquarters in Cairo and administers several communities throughout Egypt. In addition, it has parishes in Canada, the United States, Australia, and several European nations.

The Alexandrian Rite

The Alexandrian Rite has its roots in Saint Mark, founder of the Church of Alexandria, and is the basis of all the liturgies used by the Copts, Melkites, and Abyssinians.

It is divided into two main parts: the Mass of the Catechumens and that of the Faithful. In the first, readings from Sacred Scripture, sung psalms, and homilies are performed, after which the catechumens and penitents are dismissed. The Mass of the Faithful begins with the presentation of the offerings to the altar, accompanied by litanies and the singing of the Trisagion, giving way to the Eucharistic Prayer, which is characterized by a long Preface with supplications for the Church, the rulers, the faithful, and the fruits of the earth before the consecration.

Among the particularities of the Alexandrian liturgy, the prolonged Eucharistic Prayer and the location of the Supplication before the singing of the Holy stand out, something unique compared to other rites. Also distinguished are the nine Kyrie eleison at the beginning, the reading of the diptychs for the deceased before the consecration, and the active participation of the people with responses during the singing of the Holy and the recitation of the Our Father.

Currently, the Copts use three main liturgies: those formulated by Saint Cyril, Saint Basil, and Saint Gregory Nazianzen. That of Saint Basil is celebrated on Sundays and weekdays, that of Saint Gregory on certain holidays, and that of Saint Cyril during Lent and the eve of Christmas.

After the Arab conquest, the liturgical texts were translated into Arabic, although essential parts remain in Greek.

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If there is one thing that stands out about the Copts (whether they are in communion with Rome or not) it is their fidelity to Christ. Since the Arab conquest of Egypt in the 7th century, they have lived as a minority persecuted by Islam.

Currently, the Copts face a complex situation: the Constitution guarantees religious freedom, but attacks, sectarian violence, and social and legal restrictions persist for those who wish to convert from Islam to Christianity.

Cases of kidnappings and forced marriages of Coptic girls also persist. Egypt remains a dangerous country for Christians. Many continue to be martyred for their faith, such as the 21 Coptic Christians beheaded in Libya.

The Copts know that, by attending Holy Mass on Sunday, they risk their own lives. So great is their love for the Eucharist that they prefer to take risks rather than stop receiving the Lord! What an example for Westerners!

Let us pray for our persecuted brothers in Egypt and for the conversion of their persecutors. Let us pray this ancient prayer to Saint Mark, their patron and founder:

O just and protecting saint
Blessed Saint Mark of Leon,
You who avoided the disgrace of the dragon,

You who despite your own weaknesses

And trusting in the grace and strength of the Lord,
With humility and firmness you subdued beasts and enemies,
I confidently beg you: tame the hearts,
The bad feelings and the bad thoughts
Of everyone who is against me,
Of everyone who wants, thinks, or desires my harm and ruin.

Peace, peace, Christ, Christ, Dominum

Peace, peace, Christ, Christ, Dominum Nostrum.

With your strength and power
And with the help of Saint John and the Holy Spirit
If they have eyes, may they not look at me
If they have hands, may they not touch me
If they have tongues, may they not speak to me,
May they not wound me with the irons they have,
Help me with your mediation to:

(Ask for what you want to achieve)

Peace, peace, Christ, Christ, Dominum

Peace, peace, Christ, Christ, Dominum Nostrum

Saint Mark of Leon,
Just as you calmed the thirst of the Lion
And at your feet he remained dominated,
Calm my adversaries and everyone who seeks my harm,
Defeat them so that they cannot harm me,
Tame them, so that they do not approach me,
Dominate them, so that they do not reach me.

Peace, peace, Christ, Christ Dominum Nostrum

My enemies are brave like the Lion,
But tamed, surrendered, and dominated they will be
By Saint John and the power of Saint Mark of Leon.

Peace, peace, Christ, Christ, Christ, Dominum Nostrum

So be it.

Pray three Creeds, Our Father, and Glory.