Why do some claim that the Oriental Orthodox are heretical?

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

The claim that the Oriental Orthodox Church is heretical stems primarily from a fundamental misunderstanding of our Christology that occurred during the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD. Those who label us as "heretics" often use the term "Monophysite," which we categorically reject.

1. The Label of "Monophysitism"

The primary reason for the accusation is the false claim that we follow the heresy of Eutyches. Eutyches taught that the humanity of Christ was swallowed up by His divinity, like a drop of vinegar in the ocean. This is Monophysitism (from the Greek monos, meaning "single," and physis, meaning "nature").

The Coptic Orthodox Church has always condemned Eutyches as a heretic. We believe that Christ is perfect in His divinity and perfect in His humanity. The two natures were united in one nature—the nature of the Word Incarnate—without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration.

2. Miaphysitism vs. Dyophysitism

The Council of Chalcedon introduced the formula that Christ exists "in two natures." To the Alexandrian See (the Coptic Church), this sounded like the heresy of Nestorius, who separated Christ into two distinct persons.

We remained faithful to the formula of St. Cyril of Alexandria: Mia Physis tou Theou Logou Sesarkomene, which means "One Nature of God the Word Incarnate." This is Miaphysitism (from Mia, meaning a composite unity, rather than Monos, which means solo/single).

The Western churches (Roman Catholic) and the Eastern Orthodox (Byzantine) became Dyophysites, emphasizing "two natures" after the union. Because they could not grasp the depth of the Cyrillian formula, they wrongly accused us of denying Christ's humanity.

3. Political Factors

History shows that the division was not merely theological but also political. The "Imperial" Church in Constantinople sought to exert dominance over the See of Alexandria. The Byzantine East often operated under a "One Church, one Empire" mentality. Because the Coptic Church refused to submit to the imperial definitions of Chalcedon, we were branded as heretics and underwent centuries of brutal persecution by the Melkites (the King's followers).

4. The Rejection of Protestantism and Other Deviations

While we are often attacked by the older Chalcedonian churches for the "one nature" formula, we also face "heresy" labels from modern Protestant denominations. This is because we maintain the Apostolic Truth of the Sacraments, the intercession of the Virgin Mary and the Saints, and the necessity of Tradition.

Protestants, having broken away from Apostolic succession, often view our liturgical life and adherence to the Church Fathers as "unbiblical," while in reality, it is the Protestants who have departed from the faith handed down by the Apostles.

Summary

We are called "heretics" by:

• Dyophysites (Catholics/Eastern Orthodox): Because they misunderstand our Miaphysite Christology as Monophysitism.
• Protestants: Because we maintain the full Apostolic tradition and the Sacraments which they have discarded.

In truth, the Coptic Orthodox Church is the true Orthodox Christian body, having never deviated from the faith of St. Athanasius and St. Cyril. We do not believe in a "single" nature (Monophysitism) but a "unified" nature (Miaphysitism)—the Word Incarnate.