copte

Copte is the French term for Copt, used to denote Egyptian Christians and, more broadly, elements of Coptic culture, language, and heritage. In English, "Copt" commonly refers to the Christian communities of Egypt, especially those affiliated with the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, and to the Coptic language.

Etymology: The word derives from Greek Aigyptos, via Latin Coptus, and was later adopted into many languages. It historically identified Egyptian inhabitants and, in Christian contexts, Egyptian Christians and their churches.

History: A Christian community in Egypt traces back to the 1st–2nd centuries, with tradition placing the founding of the Church of Alexandria by Saint Mark. Following the Arab conquest in the 7th century, Copts remained a major Christian minority, developing distinct liturgy, monasticism, and intellectual life while living under various regimes.

Religion: The largest Coptic denomination is the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, led by the Pope of Alexandria. Other Coptic communities include the Coptic Catholic Church, and various Coptic Protestant churches. The Coptic Orthodox Church preserves a distinctive rite, theology, monastic tradition, and calendar of saints.

Language and culture: The Coptic language is the latest stage of the ancient Egyptian tongue, written in Coptic script derived from Greek. It survives mainly in liturgy and scholarly study, with Bohairic and Sahidic as major dialects. In daily life, most Copts in Egypt speak Arabic, while diaspora communities maintain liturgical usage.

Demographics and contemporary status: Estimates of the Coptic population in Egypt vary; Copts are commonly described as constituting about 5–15% of the country’s population. The community has faced social and political challenges, including discrimination and periodic violence, prompting advocacy for minority rights and interfaith dialogue, while enjoying constitutional protections for religious practice.