Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral

Welcome to Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria, a site of immense historical and spiritual gravity. You are standing at the very cradle of Christianity in Africa and the oldest church on the continent. …

The story of this cathedral begins with a torn sandal and a cry of faith. According to Coptic tradition, when Saint Mark first entered Alexandria after a long journey from Palestine through Libya, his sandal was worn out. …

Beneath the southern corner of the cathedral lies its most sacred and somber area: the Crypt of the Patriarchs. A marble staircase leads you seven meters below the current floor level to a vaulted underground chamber. …

The main sanctuary of the cathedral is distinguished by its unique arrangement of seven altars, a rare feature in Coptic architecture. The central and most prominent altar is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint Mark, where the…

The focal point of any Coptic church is the Iconostasis, the wooden or marble screen that separates the nave from the sanctuary. In Saint Mark’s, the iconostasis is a masterpiece of historical art, housing approximately 30…

Adjacent to the main cathedral building is the site of the Theological School of Alexandria, a modern revival of one of the most important intellectual institutions in early Christian history. The original School of Alexandria,…

As you step out of the cathedral and back into the bustling streets of Alexandria, you carry with you the story of a faith that has survived against all odds. We have traced the history of this site from a simple cobbler's shop…