French Coptic Orthodox Church

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French Coptic Orthodox Church
Bishopric
Oriental Orthodox
StyleHis Eminence
Location
TerritoryFrance, Switzerland
MetropolitanToulon
Information
DenominationCoptic Orthodox
RiteAlexandrian
Established1974 A.D.
Current leadership
PopeTawadros II
Metropolitan BishopAthanasius

The French Coptic Orthodox Church (French: Métropole copte orthodoxe de France) is a Coptic Orthodox jurisdiction centered in France.

According to a 2020 survey, Orthodox Christians make up 1% of the French population.[1] However, this may be split across several orthodox denominations.[2][3][4]

History[edit]

Coptic immigration to France began as early as 1801 after the French Invasion of Egypt and there was significant immigration after the 1952 Revolution in Egypt.

The church was canonically instituted by Pope Shenouda III on 2 July 1974 as the French Coptic Orthodox Eparchy. On 18 June 1994 Pope Shenouda raised the status of the eparchy to the French Coptic Orthodox Church, a newbody.[5]

The church was headed by Metropolitan Marcos until his death on 11 May 2008.[6]

Bishops[edit]

Primates of the French Coptic Orthodox Church[edit]

  • Marcos, Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of Toulon and of all France, and Primate of the French Coptic Orthodox Church. (1974-2008)[7]
  • Athanasius, Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of Toulon and of all France, and Primate of the French Coptic Orthodox Church. (2013-2023)[8]
    • Diocesan Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Marseille. (1994-2023)[8]

Diocesan Bishops[edit]

  • Luka, Diocesan Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Geneva (Switzerland) and Southern France. (2013-Present)[9]
  • Marc, Diocesan Bishop of the Holy Diocese of Paris and all Northern France. (2015-Present)[10]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ US State Dept 2022 report
  2. ^ Guardian Newspaper website, article November 12, 2020
  3. ^ Greek Orthodox Church website, Archdioceses - France, Western and Southern Europe
  4. ^ Orthodox Times website, article dated June 27, 2022
  5. ^ "The French Coptic Orthodox Church". eocf.free.fr. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  6. ^ "Arab-West Report".
  7. ^ "Metropolitan Marcos - Coptic Orthodox Church". Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  8. ^ a b "Metropolitan Athanasios - Coptic Orthodox Church". Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  9. ^ "Bishop Luka - Coptic Orthodox Church". Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  10. ^ "Bishop Marc - Coptic Orthodox Church". Retrieved 2021-06-01.

External links[edit]