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The Coptic Catholic Patriarchate of Alexandria is the sole
metropolitan see Metropolitan may refer to: Areas and governance (secular and ecclesiastical) * Metropolitan archdiocese, the jurisdiction of a metropolitan archbishop ** Metropolitan bishop or archbishop, leader of an ecclesiastical "mother see" * Metropolitan ...
of the
Coptic Catholic Church The Coptic Catholic Church (), also known as the Coptic Catholic Church of Alexandria, is an Eastern Catholic particular church in full communion with the Catholic Church. Along with the Ethiopian Catholic Church and Eritrean Catholic Church ...
, a ''sui iuris''
particular church In metaphysics, particulars or individuals are usually contrasted with ''universals''. Universals concern features that can be exemplified by various different particulars. Particulars are often seen as concrete, spatiotemporal entities as opposed ...
in
full communion Full communion is a communion or relationship of full agreement among different Christian denominations or Christian individuals that share certain essential principles of Christian theology. Views vary among denominations on exactly what constit ...
with the
Holy See The Holy See (, ; ), also called the See of Rome, the Petrine See or the Apostolic See, is the central governing body of the Catholic Church and Vatican City. It encompasses the office of the pope as the Bishops in the Catholic Church, bishop ...
of the
Catholic Church The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
. It follows the
Alexandrian Rite The Alexandrian rites are a collection of ritual families and uses of Christian liturgy employed by three Oriental Orthodox churches (the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and the Ethiopian Orthod ...
in its own
Coptic language Coptic () is a dormant language, dormant Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language. It is a group of closely related Egyptian dialects, representing the most recent developments of the Ancient Egyptian language, Egyptian language, and histori ...
. Its archbishop is the superior of all Coptic Catholic dioceses, which are located in and around
Egypt Egypt ( , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country spanning the Northeast Africa, northeast corner of Africa and Western Asia, southwest corner of Asia via the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to northe ...
. The patriarchate has two
cathedrals A cathedral is a church (building), church that contains the of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, Annual conferences within Methodism, conference, or episcopate. Churches with the function of "cathedral" are usually s ...
, both in Egypt: Our Lady of Egypt in the national capital
Cairo Cairo ( ; , ) is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Egypt and the Cairo Governorate, being home to more than 10 million people. It is also part of the List of urban agglomerations in Africa, largest urban agglomeration in Africa, L ...
, and the Cathedral of the Resurrection in
Alexandria Alexandria ( ; ) is the List of cities and towns in Egypt#Largest cities, second largest city in Egypt and the List of coastal settlements of the Mediterranean Sea, largest city on the Mediterranean coast. It lies at the western edge of the Nile ...
.


History

It had three false starts, each failing to prove enduring. * In 1741 a precursor Catholic
Apostolic vicariate An apostolic vicariate is a territorial jurisdiction of the Catholic Church under a titular bishop centered in missionary regions and countries where dioceses or parishes have not yet been established. The status of apostolic vicariate is often ...
was established for Alexandria for Coptic Christians wanting to unite with the
Holy See The Holy See (, ; ), also called the See of Rome, the Petrine See or the Apostolic See, is the central governing body of the Catholic Church and Vatican City. It encompasses the office of the pope as the Bishops in the Catholic Church, bishop ...
. * On 15 August 1824 a Patriarchal See of Alexandria / Alexandrin(us) Coptorum (Latin) was established on Egyptian territory, split off from the Apostolic Vicariate of Syria, Egypt, Arabia and Cyprus. * On 26 November 1895 it was restored as Patriarchal See of Alexandria / Alexandrin(us) Coptorum (Latin), again on Egyptian territory, split off from the Apostolic Vicariate of Egypt. In 1947 it was restored for good. It lost territories in Egypt repeatedly to establish
suffragan A suffragan bishop is a type of bishop in some Christian denominations. In the Catholic Church, a suffragan bishop leads a diocese within an ecclesiastical province other than the principal diocese, the metropolitan archdiocese; the diocese led ...
sees of Alexandria as Metropolitan: * on 17 December 1982 the Coptic Catholic Eparchy of Ismayliah * on 21 March 2003 the Coptic Catholic Eparchy of Guizeh. It enjoyed Papal visits from
Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II (born Karol Józef Wojtyła; 18 May 19202 April 2005) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 16 October 1978 until Death and funeral of Pope John Paul II, his death in 2005. In his you ...
in February 2000 and from
Pope Francis Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; 17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 13 March 2013 until Death and funeral of Pope Francis, his death in 2025. He was the fi ...
in April 2017.


Rank

The patriarchal see as such ranks third among all Catholic (arch)bishoprics of the world (only after the Apostolic See of Rome and the Catholic Patriarch of Constantinople), by the virtue of Canon Law ( CCEO 58, 59.2).


Proper diocese

His proper (arch)eparchy is the Coptic Catholic Eparchy of Alexandria, which has no other Ordinary than the Patriarch. However, he may appoint an
Auxiliary bishop An auxiliary bishop is a bishop assigned to assist the diocesan bishop in meeting the pastoral and administrative needs of the diocese. Auxiliary bishops can also be titular bishops of sees that no longer exist as territorial jurisdictions. ...
for the eparchy, distinct from Auxiliaries for the Patriarchate, as was the case with: * Youhanna Kabès (7 June 1958 – died 28 June 1985),
Titular Bishop A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese. By definition, a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop, the tradition of the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox an ...
of Cleopatris (7 June 1958 – 28 June 1985). As of 2014, it served 35,865 Eastern Catholics in 31 parishes with 73 priests (41 diocesan, 32 religious), 209 lay religious (65 brothers, 144 sisters) and 5 seminarians. It enjoyed a Papal visit from
Pope Francis Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; 17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 13 March 2013 until Death and funeral of Pope Francis, his death in 2025. He was the fi ...
in April 2017.


Bishops


Coptic Catholic Patriarchs of Alexandria and precursor Apostolic Vicars

''Coptic Catholic Apostolic Vicars'' * Athanasios (1741–1744?) * Giusto Marsghi (1744?–1748) * Jakub Římař OFM (1748–1751) (Jacques de Kremsier) *
Paolo d'Angnone Paolo is a masculine given name, the Italian form of the name Paul. It may refer to: People Art * Paolo Abbate (1884–1973), Italian-American sculptor * Paolo Alboni (1671–1734), Italian painter * Paolo Antonio Barbieri (1603–1649), ...
(1751–1757) * Giuseppe de Sassello (1757–1761) * Roche Abou Kodsi Sabak de Ghirgha (1761–1778); (1781); (1783–1785) * Gervais d'Ormeal (1778–1781) * Jean Farargi (1781–1783) * Bishai Nosser (1785–1787) * Michelangelo Pacelli de Tricario (1787–1788) * Mathieu Righet (1788–1822) * Maximos Jouwed (1822–1831) (also carried the title of Patriarch starting 1824) * Théodore Abu Karim (1832–1855) * Athanasios Kyriakos Khouzam (1855–1864) * Agapios Bishai (1866–1876) ** Antoun di Marco (1876–1887) (visiting apostolic vicar) ** Antoun Nabad (1887–1889) (provicar) ** Simon Barraia (1889–1892) (provicar) ** Antoun Kabes (1892–1895) (provicar) * Kyrillos Makarios (1895–1899) (apostolic administrator and Patriarchal vicar, Patriarch starting 1899) ''Coptic Catholic Patriarchs of Alexandria'' ''Patriarchate established'' in 1824 (by Pope Leo XII) * Maximos Jouwed, also known as Maximos Givaid (15 August 1824 – died 30 August 1831),
Titular Bishop A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese. By definition, a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop, the tradition of the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox an ...
of Uthina (9 March 1824 – 15 August 1824) *''Vacant'' (1831–1899) **''
Apostolic Administrator An apostolic administration in the Catholic Church is administrated by a prelate appointed by the pope to serve as the ordinary for a specific area. Either the area is not yet a diocese (a stable 'pre-diocesan', usually missionary apostolic admi ...
Théodore Abou-Karim (22 June 1832 – died 28 September 1855), Titular Bishop of Alia (22 June 1832 – 28 September 1855), no other prelature'' **Apostolic Administrator Athanase Khouzan (2 October 1855 – died 17 February 1864), Titular Bishop of Maronia (2 October 1855 – 17 February 1864), no other prelature **Apostolic Administrator Abraham Agabio Bsciai (27 February 1866 – 1878), Titular Bishop of Cariopolis (27 February 1866 – 20 February 1887), no other prelature **Apostolic Administrator Cyrillus Macaire = Kyrillos Makarios (18 March 1895 – 19 June 1899 ''see below''), Titular Bishop of Cæsarea Paneas (15 March 1895 – 19 June 1899) * Kyrillos Makarios = Cyrillus Macaire (1899–1908) (resigned) *''Vacant'' (1908–1947) **''
Apostolic Administrator An apostolic administration in the Catholic Church is administrated by a prelate appointed by the pope to serve as the ordinary for a specific area. Either the area is not yet a diocese (a stable 'pre-diocesan', usually missionary apostolic admi ...
(Joseph-)Maxime Sedfaoui (1908 – 13 January 1925)'' **''Apostolic Administrator Marc Khouzam = Markos Khouzam (30 December 1927 – 10 August 1947 ''see below'')'' * Markos II Khouzam (''see above'' 10 August 1947 – died 2 February 1958) * Stéphanos I Sidarouss, Lazarists (C.M.) (10 May 1958 - retired 24 May 1986) (Cardinal in 1965), died 1987 **'' Patriarchal Vicar: Athanasios Abadir (18 May 1976 – 17 December 1982), Titular Bishop of Appia (18 May 1976 – 17 December 1982); next Eparch (Bishop) of Ismayliah of the Copts (Egypt) (17 December 1982 – died 25 May 1992)'' * Stéphanos II Ghattas (23 June 1986 – retired 30 March 2006) (Cardinal in 2001), died 2009 **
Auxiliary Bishop An auxiliary bishop is a bishop assigned to assist the diocesan bishop in meeting the pastoral and administrative needs of the diocese. Auxiliary bishops can also be titular bishops of sees that no longer exist as territorial jurisdictions. ...
: Youhanna Golta (27 July 1986 – 1997), Titular Bishop of Andropolis (27 July 1986 – present); next Bishop of Curia of the Copts (1997–2020) ** Auxiliary Bishop: Andraos Salama (1 November 1988 – 1997), Titular Bishop of Barca (1 November 1988 – 21 March 2003); next Eparch (Bishop) of Guizeh of the Copts (Egypt) (21 March 2003 – died 6 December 2005) * Antonios I Naguib (7 April 2006 – retired 15 January 2013) (Cardinal in 2010), died 2022 *
Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak (, ; born 19 August 1955) is the current Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria. Biography Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak was born on 19 August 1955 in Beni-Chokeir, Asyut Governorate. He studied philosophy and theology at St. Leo ...
(18 January 2013 – present)


Curial bishops

* Youhanna Golta (1997-2020) * Antonios Aziz Mina (2002-2006), confirmed Bishop of Guizeh (Coptic) * Kamal Fahim Awad (Boutros) Hanna (2006-2013), confirmed Bishop of Minya (Coptic) * Hani Nassif Wasef Bakhoum Kiroulos (2019-)


See also

* List of Catholic dioceses in Egypt * List of Coptic Orthodox Popes of Alexandria *
Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria The Coptic Orthodox Church (), also known as the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, is an Oriental Orthodox Christian church based in Egypt. The head of the church and the See of Alexandria is the pope of Alexandria on the Holy Apo ...
* Patriarchs *
Patriarch of Alexandria The Patriarch of Alexandria is the archbishop of Alexandria, Egypt. Historically, this office has included the designation "pope" (etymologically "Father", like "Abbot"). The Alexandrian episcopate was revered as one of the three major epi ...
* Latin Patriarch of Alexandria *
Eastern Catholic Churches The Eastern Catholic Churches or Oriental Catholic Churches, also known as the Eastern-Rite Catholic Churches, Eastern Rite Catholicism, or simply the Eastern Churches, are 23 Eastern Christian autonomous (''sui iuris'') particular churches of ...
* Patriarchs of the east * Council of Catholic Patriarchs of the East


Sources and external links


List of all Coptic Patriarchs of Alexandria
by GCatholic.org

{{Particular churches sui iuris footer Christianity in Alexandria Coptic Catholic Church Eastern Catholicism in Egypt
Coptic Catholic Patriarchate of Alexandria The Coptic Catholic Patriarchate of Alexandria is the sole Metropolis (religious jurisdiction), metropolitan see of the Coptic Catholic Church, a ''sui iuris'' Catholic particular churches and liturgical rites, particular church in full communion ...
Alex Alex is a given name. Similar names are Alexander, Alexandra, Alexey or Alexis. People Multiple * Alex Brown (disambiguation), multiple people * Alex Cook (disambiguation), multiple people * Alex Forsyth (disambiguation), multiple people * Al ...
Alexandria Alexandria ( ; ) is the List of cities and towns in Egypt#Largest cities, second largest city in Egypt and the List of coastal settlements of the Mediterranean Sea, largest city on the Mediterranean coast. It lies at the western edge of the Nile ...
Coptic Catholic Patriarchs Alexandria-related lists Copts in Alexandria