Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral is a Coptic church in Alexandria, Egypt. It is the historical seat of the Pope of Alexandria, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

On Palm Sunday, 9 April 2017, an Islamic State operative detonated his suicide belt in the cathedral, killing 17 people and wounding 48.

Beginning

The cathedral is said to stand on the site of the church founded by St. Mark the Evangelist in AD 42.

St. Mark the Evangelist (author of the second Gospel) connected with the city of Alexandria since earliest Christian tradition. Coptic Christians believe he arrived in Alexandria around AD 42 and stayed for about seven years.

During this time, Mark converted many to Christianity and performed many miracles. He is the founder of the church in Alexandria and the first Bishop of Alexandria. According to tradition, St. Mark was arrested during a festival of Serapis in AD 68 and martyred by being dragged through the streets. He was buried under the church he had founded.

Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral

History of Saint Mark Coptic

In fact, It is the historical seat of the Pope of Alexandria. The Pope of Alexandria is the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Moreover, Saint Mark Cathedral stands on the site of the church founded by St. Mark the Evangelist in AC 60. St. Mark the Evangelist is author of the second Gospel He connected with the city of Alexandria since earliest Christian tradition. Coptic Christians believe he arrived in Alexandria around AD 60 and stayed for about seven years.

In fact, during this time, Mark converted many to Christianity and performed many miracles. He is indeed the founder of the church in Alexandria and the first Bishop of Alexandria. According to tradition, St. Mark arrested during a festival of Serapis in AC 68. And then, he martyred by dragging through the streets. Moreover, people buried him under the church he had founded. In 828, Venetians stole the body of St. Mark from the Alexandrian church .

It was to enshrine in the grand new St. Mark Basilica in Venice. Moreover, the head of the saint remained in Alexandria. Every newly appointed Patriarch of Alexandria begins his service with holding the holy head of St. Mark in his lap. He also changed its cloth shroud. Further details:The head of St. Mark moved around a great deal over the centuries. Furthermore it lost for over 250 years. Some of the relics from the body of St. Mark, however, returned to Alexandria from Rome. It was in 1968 during the papacy of Pope Cyril VI.

In fact, the present Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Cathedral Alexandria is of recent date. In fact, it said to stand on the site of church founded by St. Mark himself Take notice of the beautiful icons and mosaics that fill the silence of Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Cathedral Alexandria Make sure to dress conservatively and respect the sanctity of the location