Seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria

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The Seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria is historically based in Alexandria, Egypt. It is commonly known as the Holy See of St. Mark, as the Coptic Pope is the successor of St. Mark.

Ruling powers moved away from Alexandria to Cairo after the Arab invasion of Egypt. During Pope Christodolos's tenure, the official residence of the Coptic Pope moved to The Hanging Church in Cairo.^[1]

Contents 1 Current Seats 2 Previous Seats 3 See also 4 References

[edit] Current Seats

• Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral 1971- current
• Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral (Alexandria) c.60 AD - current

The current Seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria is in both Alexandria and Cairo, in the compound holding the Patriarchal palace, Coptic Orthodox Cathedral (known as St. Mark's Cathedral) and other Patriarchal Institutions in both Alexandria and Cairo.

There is also a major Patriarchal compound within the outer walls of the Monastery of Saint Pishoy in the Scetes of the Nitrian Desert of Egypt (Wadi El Natrun), which is used when the Pope is in a spiritual retreat or when hosting major ecclesiastical conventions within the Oriental Orthodox Church communion or with Eastern Orthodox Church or the Roman Catholic Church and its Uniate Churches.

[edit] Previous Seats

• The Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo 1047-c.1300
• Saint Mercurius Church (Coptic Cairo) 1300-c.1400
• Saint Mary Church (Harat Zewila) 1400-1600
• Saint Mary Church (Haret Elroum) 1660-1800^[2]
• Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral (Azbakeya) 1800-1971

[edit] See also

• Coptic Orthodox Church
• Coptic Cairo

[edit] References

1. ^ The Hanging Church
2. ^ St Mina