Copt

Copt is a term with multiple related meanings, historically used to describe Egyptians and, in Christian contexts, Egyptian Christians—most notably adherents of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. The etymology traces to the Greek Aigyptios, later Latinized as Coptus; in antiquity the term often designated native Egyptians regardless of faith, while in modern usage it commonly identifies Coptic Christians.

The Coptic Orthodox Church is an Oriental Orthodox church believed to have originated in Egypt during the first century. It formed from early Christian communities in Alexandria and is traditionally led by the Pope of Alexandria. As part of the Miaphysite tradition, it rejected the Council of Chalcedon (451). The church maintains a strong monastic tradition and a continuous liturgical life.

The Coptic language, the latest stage of the ancient Egyptian language, is used today primarily in liturgical contexts and as a corpus of manuscripts. It is written in the Coptic alphabet, a script combining Greek letters with Demotic signs, with dialects including Bohairic (used in North Egypt) and Sahidic (formerly prominent in Upper Egypt).

Copts form the largest Christian community in Egypt and have a widespread diaspora in North America, Europe, and Africa. They participate in several churches, including the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Coptic Catholic Church (in communion with Rome), and the Coptic Evangelical Church.