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Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty · Catechism · 110

Faith Q&A › Catechism › 2. (c) Exposition of the Creed

Why do we call God called the Almighty (Pantocrator)? What does the word Pantocrator or Almighty mean?

The answer

This term refers to God’s power to manage all life and to fulfill His will in it. The One God is the source of the power of all creation, whether heavenly or earthly. His authority guarantees human free will and does not threaten it. His authority is in harmony with His love, all-powerful in accompanying humanity and sanctifying the faithful, even when He was in the tomb amongst the dead. We can never compare His power with that of any other being, or else He would merely be a pagan God.

We cherish our Father the Almighty and we are hidden in Him; so we do not fear any powers of darkness, nor does sin find for itself any place in us, nor can death deprive us of the eternal inheritance.

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty

Notes

298 St. Cyril of Alexandria, Letter 55:12 (FOTC 77:20).

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty, Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Volume 1, Books 1–3. First English Edition, 2023. Published by St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, Sporting, Alexandria, and Queen St. Mary & Prince Tadros Coptic Orthodox Church, South Brunswick, NJ. Copyright © 2023. Translation and Editing: Youth of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Arabian Gulf, and Egypt.