The following is a list of all of the Coptic Orthodox popes who have led the Coptic Orthodox Church and have succeeded the Apostle Mark the Evangelist in the office of Bishop of Alexandria, who founded the Church in the 1st century, and marked the beginning of Christianity in Africa.
The Coptic Orthodox Church is one of the Oriental Orthodox Churches (not to be confused with the Byzantine Orthodox group of churches) and is presided over by the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria who is the body's spiritual leader. This position is held since 2012 by Pope Tawadros II, the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of all Africa on the Holy See of St. Mark.
The Oriental Orthodox believe that they are the "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic" Church of the ancient Christian creeds. To this date 92 of the Coptic popes have been glorified, i.e., canonized as saints, in the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Title "Pope" The title "pope" (in Greek, Papás) originally was a form of address meaning 'Father' used by several bishops. The first known record of this designation was Heraclas, the 13th Archbishop of Alexandria (232–249). The Alexandrian usage of the honorific does not conflict with the usage in reference to the bishop of Rome.
The full ecclesiastical title is Papa Abba, and the person who bears it stands for the devotion of all monastics, from Pentapolis in the west to Constantinople in the east, to his guidance. Within the denomination, it is the most powerful designation, for all monks in the East to voluntarily follow his spiritual authority, and it is said that it should be assumed that he is a bearer of Christ.
For the Patriarchs of Alexandria prior to the schism after the Council of Chalcedon, see List of patriarchs of Alexandria. For the patriarchs of the Byzantine Orthodox church after the split with the Oriental Orthodox church, see List of Greek Orthodox patriarchs of Alexandria.
Not all of the dates given are certain. The dates below are according to the Gregorian calendar. Some of the dates disagree with those given in Coptic publications such as The English Katameros. In some cases, publication errors caused the difference and have been corrected. In other cases, calendar differences between the Julian and the Gregorian calendars have caused some confusion.
Dioscorus I served as Patriarch of Alexandria since 444 until he was deposed and exiled by the Council of Chalcedon in 451, but he was still recognized as the Coptic Pope until his death in 454.
Chronological list of popes and patriarchs
1st millennium 1st century
Apostolic Throne Portrait Popes and Patriarchs of AlexandriaEnglish • Coptic • Arabic Name before Patriarchate Place of Birth Notes 130 or 33 AD. (Apostle of Christ) 60 or 61 AD.(Evangelist of Egypt)8 May 68(Martyr)St. Mark the Apostle, Evangelist and MartyrMarcos • Ⲙⲁⲣⲕⲟⲥ • مرقسYohanan (Hebrew) Marcos (Greek)Cyrene, Pentapolis (North Africa)One of the Seventy Apostles and traditionally viewed as the author of the Gospel of Mark. The Evangelist of the Land of Egypt. He was martyred at Baucalis (east of Alexandria) during the persecution of Christians led by the Roman Emperor Nero. 262– 29 November 83(21 years)St. AnianusAnianos • Ⲁⲛⲓⲁⲛⲟⲥ • إنيانوسAnianosAlexandria, EgyptSt. Anianus turned his house into a church, and it is said that it is the one known as the church of St. Mark which stands today in Alexandria. 313 December 83– 11 September 95(11 years, 9 months)St. AviliusMilieos • Ⲙⲓⲗⲓⲟⲥ • ميليوسMilieosAlexandria, Egypt He was elected Pope of Alexandria during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian. 418 September 95– 8 June 106(10 years, 9 months, 10 days)St. KedronKerdonou • Ⲕⲉⲣⲇⲱⲛⲟⲩ • كردونوسKerdonouAlexandria, EgyptHe was martyred during the persecution of Christians by the Roman Emperor Trajan.
2nd century Apostolic Throne Portrait Popes and Patriarchs of AlexandriaEnglish • Coptic • Arabic Name before Patriarchate Place of Birth Notes 529 June 106– 9 August 118(13 years, 1 month, 12 days)St. PrimusEpriemou • Ⲡⲣⲓⲙⲟⲩ • إبريموسEpriemouAlexandria, EgyptHe was one of the three who were ordained priest by St. Mark the Apostle. 623 September 118– 19 June 129(10 years, 10 months) St. JustusIostos • Ⲓⲟⲥⲧⲟⲥ • يسطسIostosAlexandria, EgyptHe was the first Dean of the Catechetical School of Alexandria appointed by St. Mark the Apostle. He was elected Pope of Alexandria during the persecution against Christians by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. 718 July 129– 19 October 141(12 years, 3 months) St. EumeniusOumenios • Ⲉⲩⲙⲉⲛⲓⲟⲥ • أومانيوسOumeniosAlexandria, EgyptSecond Dean of the Catechetical School of Alexandria. He was elected Pope of Alexandria during the persecution against Christians by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. 817 November 141– 14 January 152(10 years, 2 months) St. MarkianosMarkianos • Ⲙⲁⲣⲕⲓⲁⲛⲟⲥ • مرقيانوسMarkianosAlexandria, EgyptThird Dean of the Catechetical School of Alexandria. During his Patriarchy, the Christians were persecuted by the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. 929 January 152– 16 July 166(14 years, 6 months) St. CeladionKalavtianos • Ⲕⲁⲗⲗⲁⲩⲑⲓⲁⲛⲟⲥ • كلادنيوسKalavtianosAlexandria, EgyptHe was elected Pope of Alexandria during the persecution against Christians by the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. 101 August 166– 12 February 178(11 years, 6 months, 5 days) St. AgrippinusAghreppinios • Ⲁⲅⲣⲓⲡⲡⲓⲛⲟⲥ • آغربينوسAghreppiniosAlexandria, EgyptHe was elected Pope of Alexandria during the persecution against Christians by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. 1118 March 178– 17 March 188(10 years) St. JulianYulianos • Ⲓⲟⲩⲗⲓⲁⲛⲟⲥ • يوليانوس YulianosAlexandria, EgyptHe was elected Pope of Alexandria during the persecution against Christians by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. 1217 March 188– 22 October 230(42 years, 7 months, 5 days).St. Demetrius the VinedresserDemetrios • Ⲇⲏⲙⲏⲧⲣⲓⲟⲥ • ديمتريوسDemetriosAlexandria, EgyptDuring his Patriarchy, the Christians were persecuted by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus.
3rd century Apostolic Throne Portrait Popes and Patriarchs of AlexandriaEnglish • Coptic • Arabic Name before Patriarchate Place of Birth Notes 1318 November 230– 17 December 246(16 years, 1 month)St. HeraclasYaraklas • Ⲓⲉⲣⲁⲕⲗⲁⲥ • ياراكلاسYaraklasAlexandria, EgyptHe is the first Patriarch to carry the hierarchy title "Pope". Which the Bishop of Rome did not use until the sixth century. During his Patriarchy, the Christians were persecuted by the Roman Emperor Maximinus the Thracian. 1428 December 246– 22 March 264(17 years, 2 months, 10 days)St. Dionysius the GreatDionysios • Ⲇⲓⲟⲛⲩⲥⲓⲟⲥ • ديونيسيوسDionysiosAlexandria, EgyptHe was the Dean of the Catechetical School of Alexandria. He was elected Pope of Alexandria during the great persecution against Christians by the Roman Emperor Decius. 159 November 264– 22 April 282(17 years, 5 months) St. MaximusMaximos • Ⲙⲁⲝⲓⲙⲟⲥ • مكسيموسMaximosAlexandria, EgyptHe participated in the Synods of Antioch against the heresies of Paul of Samosata. During his Patriarchy, the Christians were persecuted by the Roman Emperor Aurelian. 1611 December 282– 10 January 301(19 years, 1 month) St. TheonasTheonás • Ⲑⲉⲱⲛⲁⲥ • ثاؤناTheonásAlexandria, EgyptEusebius the Historian calls him a "pillar of the Church".
4th century Apostolic Throne Portrait Popes and Patriarchs of AlexandriaEnglish • Coptic • Arabic Name before Patriarchate Place of Birth Notes 178 February 302– 8 December 311(9 years, 10 months)St. Peter the Seal of the MartyrsPetros • Ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ • بطرسPetrosAlexandria, EgyptHe was the last martyred during The Great Persecution led by the Roman Emperors Diocletian and Galerius. 1824 December 311– 26 June 312(6 months) St. Achillas the GreatAchıllás • Ⲁⲭⲓⲗⲗⲁⲥ • أرشيلاوسAchıllásAlexandria, EgyptHe was the Dean of the Catechetical School of Alexandria, defending the teachings of Orthodoxy. And was elected Pope of Alexandria during the reign of the Emperor Constantine the Great. 1910 July 312– 30 April 328(15 years, 9 months, 20 days)St. Alexander IAlexandros • Ⲁⲗⲉⲝⲁⲛⲇⲣⲟⲥ • آلِكسندرAlexandrosAlexandria, EgyptOn 18 November 325 AD, St. Alexandros, 19th Pope & Patriarch of Alexandria attended the 1st Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, and was accompanied by his Archdeacon, St. Athanasius the Apostolic. 205 May 328– 15 May 373(45 years) St. Athanasius the ApostolicAthanasios • Ⲁⲑⲁⲛⲁⲥⲓⲟⲥ • أثناسيوسAthanasiosAlexandria, EgyptOne of the Church Fathers. Attended the 1st Ecumenical Council at Nicaea as a Deacon and wrote the Nicene Creed also known as the Orthodox Creed or Athanasius Creed. 2127 May 373– 27 February 379(5 years, 9 months) St. Peter IIPetros • Ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ • بطرسPetrosAlexandria, Egypt 2214 March 379– 2 August 385(6 years, 4 months, 6 days) St. Timothy ITimotheos • Ⲧⲓⲙⲟⲑⲉⲟⲥ • تيموثاوسTimotheosAlexandria, EgyptAttended the 2nd Ecumenical Council at Constantinople. 2328 August 385– 28 October 412(27 years, 2 months)St. Theophilus ITheophilos • Ⲑⲉⲟ́ⲫⲓⲗⲟⲥ • ثاوفيلسTheophilosAlexandria, Egypt St. Theophilus fought against the pagans, the Arians and the Anthropomorphists, supported by Emperor Theodosius. St. Theophilus was succeeded on the Apostolic Throne by his nephew St. Cyril, 24th Pope of Alexandria.
5th century Apostolic Throne Portrait Popes and Patriarchs of AlexandriaEnglish • Coptic • Arabic Name before Patriarchate Place of Birth Notes 2417 October 412– 10 July 444(31 years, 8 months, 10 days)St. Cyril the Pillar of FaithKyrillos • Ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲗⲗⲟⲥ • كيرلسKyrillosAlexandria, EgyptKnown as the "Pillar of Faith" and "Lamp of the Orthodox Church". On 22 September 431 AD, St. Cyril attended the 3rd Ecumenical Council at Ephesus, which he rebuked and excommunicated Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople who denied the Virgin as Theotokos ('God-bearer'). 258 August 444– 17 September 454(10 years, 1 month, 9 days)St. Dioscorus the Championof OrthodoxyDioscoros • Ⲇⲓⲟⲥⲕⲟⲣⲟⲥ • ديسقورسDioscorosAlexandria, EgyptKnown as the "Champion of Orthodoxy". Last Pope & Patriarch of Alexandria to attend a Western council, the 4th Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon and was accompanied by St. Marcarius, Bishop of Edkow. They were exiled by Emperor Marcianus and the Empress Pulcheria to the Island of Gangra, where St. Dioscorus departed and was laid to rest. 2613 October 455– 13 August 477(21 years, 10 months) St. Timothy IITimotheos • Ⲧⲓⲙⲟⲑⲉⲟⲥ • تيموثاوسTimotheosAlexandria, Egypt 2714 September 477– 11 November 489(13 years, 1 month, 29 days) St. Peter IIIPetros • Ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ • بطرسPetrosAlexandria, Egypt 2811 December 489– 30 September 496(6 years, 9 months, 20 days) St. Athanasius IIAthanasios • Ⲁⲑⲁⲛⲁⲥⲓⲟⲥ • أثناسيوسAthanasiosAlexandria, Egypt 2929 September 496– 12 May 505(8 years, 7 months) St. John IYoannis • Ⲓⲱⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ • يوأنسYoannisAlexandria, Egypt
6th century Apostolic Throne Portrait Popes and Patriarchs of AlexandriaEnglish • Coptic • Arabic Name before Patriarchate Place of Birth Notes 3029 May 505– 4 June 516(10 years, 11 months, 23 days) St. John IIYoannis • Ⲓⲱⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ • يوأنسYoannisAlexandria, Egypt 3110 June 516– 27 October 518(2 years, 4 months, 15 days) St. Dioscorus IIDioscoros • Ⲇⲓⲟⲥⲕⲟⲣⲟⲥ • ديسقورسDioscorosAlexandria, Egypt 3210 November 518– 20 February 536(17 years, 3 months) St. Timothy IIITimotheos • Ⲧⲓⲙⲟⲑⲉⲟⲥ • تيموثاوسTimotheosAlexandria, Egypt 3322 February 536– 5 July 567(31 years, 4 months, 15 days) St. Theodosius ITheodosios • Ⲑⲉⲟ́ⲇⲟⲥⲓⲟⲥ • ثيئودوسيوسTheodosiosAlexandria, Egypt 3425 July 567– 2 July 569(1 year, 10 months, 25 days) St. Peter IVPetros • Ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ • بطرسPetrosAlexandria, Egypt 3526 June 569– 25 June 605(35 years, 11 months, 16 days)St. DamianDamianos • Ⲇⲁⲙⲓⲁⲛⲟⲥ • داميانوسDamianosSyria
7th century