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Questions & Answers

Coptic Language

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Prayer, Fasting and Worship › Coptic Language

The question

What does 'Coptic' exactly mean?

The answer

The word Coptic is derived from the Greek word "Aigyptos", a derivative from Hikaptah, and a name synonymous with Memphis, the first Capitol of Egypt. Over the years, Egyptian Christian ethnicity and identity became known as Qibt (Arabic)—Copt or Coptic (Kyptos in Coptic). A systematic campaign to extinguish the Coptic language began around the 6th century, after the Muslim invasion, until about the 13th century. Coptic, as a language, was preserved by some families, but mainly used in the church and in the Divine Liturgies.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

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Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 1863 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.