List of Coptic Orthodox popes of Alexandria


The following is a list of all of the Coptic Orthodox Popes of Alexandria who have led the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria and have succeeded the Apostle Mark the Evangelist in the office of Bishop of Alexandria, who founded the Church in the 1st century, and marked the beginning of Christianity in Africa.
The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria is one of the Oriental Orthodox churches and is presided over by the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria who is the body's spiritual leader. This position is held since 2012 by Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of all Africa on the Holy See of St. Mark.
The Oriental Orthodox believe that they are the "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic" Church of the ancient Christian creeds.

Title "Pope"

The title "pope" originally was a form of address meaning 'Father' used by several bishops. The first known record of this designation was Heraclas, the 13th Archbishop of Alexandria. The Alexandrian usage of the honorific does not conflict with the usage in reference to the bishop of Rome.
The full ecclesiastical title is Papa Abba, and the person who bears it stands for the devotion of all monastics, from Pentapolis in the west to Constantinople in the east, to his guidance. Within the denomination, it is the most powerful designation, for all monks in the East to voluntarily follow his spiritual authority, and it is said that it should be assumed that he is a bearer of Christ.
For the Patriarchs of Alexandria prior to the schism after the Council of Chalcedon, see List of Patriarchs of Alexandria. For the patriarchs of the Byzantine Orthodox church after the split with the Oriental Orthodox church, see List of Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Alexandria.
Note that not all of the dates given are certain. The dates below are according to the Gregorian calendar. Some of the dates disagree with those given in Coptic publications such as The English Katameros. In some cases, publication errors caused the difference and have been corrected. In other cases, calendar differences between the Julian and the Gregorian calendars have caused some confusion.
Dioscorus I served as Patriarch of Alexandria since 444 until he was deposed and exiled by the Council of Chalcedon in 451, but he was still recognized as the Coptic Pope until his death in 454.

Chronological list of popes and patriarchs

1st century

Apostolic ThronePortraitPopes and Patriarchs of Alexandria
English • Coptic • Arabic		Name before PatriarchatePlace of BirthNotes
30 or 33 AD.
60 or 61 AD.
8 May 68
St. Mark the Apostle, Evangelist and Martyr
Marcos • Ⲙⲁⲣⲕⲟⲥ • مرقس		Yohanan
Marcos 		Cyrene, Pentapolis The Evangelist of the Land of Egypt. He was martyred at Baucalis during the persecution of Christians led by the Roman Emperor Nero.
62
– 29 November 83
St. Anianus
Anianos • Ⲁⲛⲓⲁⲛⲟⲥ • إنيانوس		AnianosAlexandria, EgyptSt. Anianus turned his house into a church, and it is said that it is the one known as the church of St. Mark which stands today in Alexandria.
13 December 83
– 11 September 95
St. Avilius
Milieos • Ⲙⲓⲗⲓⲟⲥ • ميليوس		MilieosAlexandria, EgyptHe was elected Pope of Alexandria during the reign of Roman Emperor Domitian.
18 September 95
– 8 June 106
St. Kedron
Kerdonou • Ⲕⲉⲣⲇⲱⲛⲟⲩ • كردونوس		KerdonouAlexandria, EgyptHe was martyred during the persecution of Christians by the Roman Emperor Trajan.

2nd century

3rd century

4th century

5th century

6th century

7th century

8th century

9th century

10th century

11th century

12th century

13th century

14th century

15th century

16th century

17th century

18th century

19th century

20th century

21st century