Copts are Christians from Egypt, with the majority belonging to the Coptic Orthodox Church. They face persecution from Muslim extremists and discrimination in modern Egypt. Coptic traditions include services in the Coptic language and using the Coptic calendar, which marks the Year of Martyrs from Diocletian’s reign.
A Copt is a Christian originally from Egypt and is sometimes called a Coptic Christian or an Egyptian Christian. The religious practice of the Copts is one of the earliest forms of Christianity practiced, and was founded by St. Mark in Alexandria. Today the majority of Christians in the Middle Eastern world are Coptic Christians.
Not all who call themselves Copts practice exactly the same faith. Usually a Coptic is a member of one of the following churches: the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Coptic Catholic Church or the Protestant Church. Of these, the longest-lived is the Coptic Orthodox Church, which practices similar dogmas to the Greek Orthodox Church.
Some also make the distinction that a true Coptic must belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church. Practicing another form of Christianity diverges from the purpose of being a Coptic. Problems also arise as many who call themselves Copts were not born in Egypt. However, many look at the current climate of Christian/Islamic relations in the Middle East and certainly excuse the immigration of Copts to places more open to religious freedom.
For many who view the Middle East as a predominantly Islamic province, it may be hard to imagine that the Coptic population was once prominent in Egypt. Indeed, in the 3rd century AD, most Egyptians practiced Christianity. Naturally, many would convert after Muhammad’s teachings reached Egypt.
Nowadays, only about 10% of Egypt’s population still claims to be Coptic. Practicing Copts have faced persecution by Muslim extremists. There have been numerous terrorist attacks on Coptic churches and their members. Furthermore, there are still laws discriminating against Copts in modern Egypt.
Several traditions of Coptic Christianity are not practiced elsewhere and could be lost if persecuted into extinction. Coptic traditions include services held in the Coptic or Egyptian language. Also, the Coptic calendar differs from the Gregorian calendar. The beginning of the Common Era in the Coptic religion is 284 AD
The Coptic uses this year in particular because it marks the succession of Diocletian to the throne of Rome. Diocletian was horribly anti-Christian and his rule was marked by numerous executions of those who practiced Christianity. Coptic Christians use AM instead of AD or CE In this case, AM stands for “Year of Martyrs”.
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