What does the word "Orthodox" mean?
By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-09
The word Orthodox comes from two Greek words that perfectly describe our faith and practice:
- Orthos (ὀρθός): Meaning straight, correct, or right.
- Doxa (δόξα): This word has a dual meaning in the Christian context—it means both "opinion/teaching" and "glory/worship."
Therefore, being Orthodox means two inseparable things:
1. Right Teaching (Orthodoxy)
It refers to holding the "straight" or "correct" doctrine. As Coptic Orthodox Christians, we preserve the faith as it was handed down by the Apostles, defined by the Holy Scriptures, and protected by the Ecumenical Councils. We do not add to or subtract from this faith to suit modern trends or political correctness. We believe our teaching is the original, unchanged truth of Ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ ⲡⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ (Jesus Christ).
2. Right Worship (Orthodoxia)
In the Coptic tradition, theology is not just a set of books; it is lived out through prayer and the Liturgy. "Orthodox" also means "Right Worship" or "Right Glorying." The way we worship God in the Divine Liturgy, our use of incense, our hymns, and our prostrations are the correct way to glorify the Holy Trinity (ⲯϯ ⲛⲟⲩⲱⲧ—One God).
As it is written in our dictionary, to worship or kneel down is ⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ (ou-osht). A true Orthodox person is a ⲣⲉϥⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ (ref-osht), a "worshipper" who glorifies God with the correct faith.
When we call ourselves Coptic Orthodox, we are saying we are the "Egyptian Christians" (Copt) who hold the "Correct Faith and Right Worship" (Orthodox). This distinguishes us from heretics who deviated from the straight path and from the Roman Catholics and Protestants who introduced innovations to the original Apostolic faith.