Coptic Society

Our Start

In 1997, a group of Coptic students felt the need for a campus fellowship. These students became the founders of Coptic Society, a Christian club that offers all students support in practicing their Christianity.  In 2003, Coptic Society spread out to NJIT. “Buy the truth and do not sell it.” Proverbs 23:23

Our Group

Coptic Society is a group of Christian students in which the majority of the members are rooted in the Orthodox Faith.  With weekly general meetings, we discuss practical issues that many of the members face daily.  In addition, we hold weekly Bible studies to feed our members the spiritual words they need to live by.  Currently, with several Orthodox denominations and over 120 members covering 20 churches in the tri-sate area, Coptic Society is still growing and outreaching to the public. See Calendar for more details about our meetings. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20

Our Mission

C.S. is a student-based organization developed to help and serve all individuals in the Rutgers and NJIT community. Our mission is three-fold: spiritual growth, fellowship with one another, and bringing this fellowship to others on campus. Through our main focus and goal, our Lord Jesus Christ, we strive to aid each other in overcoming our spiritual and academic challenges. By having open doors and a casual environment, we hope to reach out to anyone at Rutgers and NJIT, and as a result, develop beneficial friendships that prevail over lifetimes. Via open discussions, social activities, and various events, we enjoy a good time while growing closer together, as one Body in Christ. We hope to find those who are lost in the midst of the chaos of this perishing world. “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth” Ecclesiastes 12:1

Our Faith

In short, our faith was handed down to us from the Father, through the Logos, and by the Holy Spirit. “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.” I John 5:7 After man sinned and was condemned to hell, there was no other way to save him than by offering an infinite and perfect redeemer to be sacrificed instead of him – our Lord Jesus Christ. Perfect in His humanity and perfect in His divinity, He died in flesh so that we may live forever after our passing. He then rose from the dead so that we can have a personal relationship with Him. We have become God’s children that He bought with His priceless blood.

Our Church

Saint Mark, one of the Christ-appointed seventy apostles and writer of the earliest Gospel, came to Egypt ushering in the dawn of Christian faith. St. Mark arrived in Alexandria around the year 55 AD, and was martyred in the year 68 AD.  In that short period, St. Mark was able to preach the Gospel, convert many people, and to found the Church in Egypt. Since that time, Christianity spread like fire throughout the country. St. Mark gave Egypt a Gospel to live by, a Liturgy to pray with, and started a school (Alexandrian School of Theology) to ensure that the faith be kept pure and unblemished. As a result, the See of Alexandria was the leading source of authority in Christian Theology during the first four centuries AD (Until the Byzantine and the later Arab conquests). The famous School of Alexandria reaped giants of theology such as Sts. Athanasius, Origin, Clement and Cyril. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19

Our Future

Today, the Coptic Church is under the leadership of our Holy Father and Patriarch, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III.  Through his guidance, churches have been established all across the world.  In North America, there are over 150 churches and more than 200 priests.  In addition, he has established Theological Seminaries, Monasteries, colleges, schools, and youth centers.  Along with our group, Coptic groups have become a custom on college campuses across the country and across the world.  There have been many activities done in joining groups from the tri-state area as college youth united in the same faith.  In addition, many activities that have been done on campuses have been able to complement the activities of local churches.  Activities such as worship services, special lectures, and fellowship events are all planned with approval of the church clergy.  Through God’s infinite grace, we hope that this fellowship and all campus fellowships throughout the country flourish and continue to glorify God’s holy name.