Medieval and Manuscripts

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa (Ancient Greek: Πατριαρχεῖον Ἀλεξανδρείας καὶ πάσης Ἀφρικῆς, romanized: Patriarkheîon Alexandreías kai pásēs Afrikês, lit. 'Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa'), also known as the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria, is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church based in Africa. Its seat is in Alexandria, Egypt, and it has canonical jurisdiction over the entire African continent. According to Eastern Orthodox tradition, the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria was established by Saint Mark the Evangelist, a companion of the Apostles, in the middle of the 1st century, and its emblem is the Lion of Saint Mark. In the history of early Christianity, the Church of Alexandria played a significant role, and many prominent Church Fathers were associated with Alexandria. Following the Council of Chalcedon in 451, disagreements over the nature of Christ led to a division between Dyophysite and Miaphysite Christians. The Dyophysite Christians in Egypt remained in communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and developed into the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, while the Miaphysite Christians formed the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. Together with the other four Chalcedonian patriarchates, the see of Alexandria formed part of the traditional Pentarchy of the early Christian Church. Following the East–West Schism in 1054, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria remained in communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the other Eastern Orthodox churches. Over the centuries, the patriarchate's influence and the size of its Christian community declined significantly, particularly after the Arab conquest of Egypt and later historical developments. In the 20th and 21st centuries, however, the patriarchate experienced renewed growth through missionary activity, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, establishing new dioceses and attracting new Eastern Orthodox communities across the continent. The patriarchate is headed by the pope and patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, currently Theodore II of Alexandria, who has served as patriarch since 2004.

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See also

• ▸Centre Block
• ▸Dittrick Museum of Medical History
• ▸Church of the Covenant (Boston)

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