Third in a series
Re “St. Mark and Birth of Coptic Christianity in Egypt”
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Father Gorgy, in St. Mark sanctuary.
In further exploring the birth in Egypt in 58 A.D., and the maturation of Coptic Christianity, Father Cyril Gorgy of St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, Pico-Robertson, explained that there was a rumbling development.
While emphasizing that there was a single Christian entity in today’s Middle East known as The Church, governing was divided among five major sees or regions.
“Through time,” said Father Gorgy, “there were little disagreements known as heresies. Somebody would teach a new ideology that is not in line with our belief system that the Fathers have handed to us.
“They ended up holding three ecumenical councils bringing together representatives from all of the sees, Ephesus, Nicea and Constantinople. They would discuss the heresy. From an ecumenical council, canons were produced. Perhaps the person would be excommunicated.
“After the councils, one of the important documents that came out was the creed.
“The creed is what we believe in. In other words, no one else can come back and bring up this heresy again through the ages.”
(To be continued)
