Is the Coptic Church part of the Eastern Orthodox Church?
Not exactly. Properly speaking, the Coptic Orthodox, (along with the Syriac Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, & Ethiopian Orthodox) is considered one of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. (The Assyrian Church of the East is not technically part of that.) Likewise, the Coptic, Syriac, & Armenian Churches in union with Rome (including, among others, the Maronite and Chaldean Churches), are considered Oriental Catholic Churches (sui juris). The term “Eastern Orthodox” generally applies to the usage of Constantinople, aka Byzantine. The term “Eastern” is also used for those Churches of Byzantine tradition that are in union with Rome.
