List of Coptic Orthodox Popes of Alexandria - The Title Pope

The Title Pope

Historically, the title Pope (Papa, "Father" in Coptic) was first adopted by Pope Heraclas, the 13th Alexandrine Archbishop (232–249 AD), three centuries before it was assumed by John I, the Roman Bishop (523- 526), who ratified the Alexandrian computation of the date of Easter. Bestowing the title on Rome's Pontiff did not strip it from Alexandria's, and the Roman Catholic Church recognizes this.

The full ecclesiastical title is Papa Abba, and the person bearing it stands for the devotion of all monastics, from Pentapolis in the West to Constantinople in the East, to his guidance. Within this 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: Not all of the dates given are certain. Some of these dates disagree with those given in Coptic publications such as The English Katameros. In some cases this is due to publications errors which have been corrected. In other cases, calendar differences may have caused some confusion.

Note: Dioscorus I served as Patriarch of Alexandria since 444 until being deposed and exiled by the Council of Chalcedon in 451 but was still recognized as the Coptic Pope until his death in 454.