Is the Coptic Church now accepting the formula used by the Eastern Orthodox Church?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

The Coptic Orthodox Church has not "changed" its faith or abandoned its traditional formula, but through modern ecumenical dialogue, it has been clarified that our Christological understanding and that of the Eastern Orthodox are essentially the same, despite using different terminology.

The Coptic Orthodox Church remains firmly committed to the formula of St. Cyril of Alexandria: «» (Mia Physis tou Theou Logou Sesarkomene), which translates to "One Nature of God the Word Incarnate."

1. The Common Declaration

In the late 20th century, specifically through meetings in Geneva (1990), theologians and hierarchs from both the Oriental Orthodox (including the Coptic Church) and the Eastern Orthodox families signed historical statements. They agreed that:

• We both believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is perfect in His Divinity and perfect in His Humanity.
• The divinity and humanity are united in one person (Hypostasis) without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration.
• The difference between the Oriental Orthodox "One Nature" (Miaphysitism) and the Eastern Orthodox "Two Natures" (Dyophysitism) is a difference in expression, not in essence.

2. We Do Not Accept the "Chalcedonian" Language

Although we recognize that the Eastern Orthodox are not Nestorians (who divide Christ into two persons), the Coptic Church still does not officially adopt the phrasing of the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD). We consider the term "Two Natures" to be potentially dangerous if it implies a separation after the Union. We insist on the term Miaphysite (one composite nature) to emphasize the indivisible union of the Godhead and the Manhood.

3. The Status of Communion

It is a common misconception that the Coptic Church has entered into full communion with the Eastern Orthodox (such as the Greeks or Russians).

• The Agreement Is Theological: We have reached an agreement on the content of the faith.
• The Schism Remains: For full communion (sharing the Eucharist) to occur, each local Synod must officially lift the ancient anathemas against the fathers of the other side (such as St. Dioscorus or St. Leo). This has not yet been fully implemented across all churches.

We have not "accepted" their formula in place of ours. Rather, we have mutually acknowledged that when we say "One Nature," we do not mean a single simple nature (as the Eutychian heretics did), and when they say "Two Natures," they do not mean two separated natures (as the Nestorians did).

The Coptic Church remains the guardian of the Alexandrian theology. We continue to pray in the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the confession of faith: "He made it one with His divinity without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration," and "Truly I believe that His divinity parted not from His humanity for a single moment nor a twinkling of an eye."