The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa (Ancient Greek: Πατριαρχεῖον Ἀλεξανδρείας καὶ πάσης Ἀφρικῆς, romanized: Patriarkheîon Alexandreías kai pásēs Afrikês, lit. 'Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa'), also known as the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria, is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church based in Africa. Its seat is in Alexandria, Egypt, and it has canonical jurisdiction over the entire African continent.
According to Eastern Orthodox tradition, the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria was established by Saint Mark the Evangelist, a companion of the Apostles, in the middle of the 1st century, and its emblem is the Lion of Saint Mark. In the history of early Christianity, the Church of Alexandria played a significant role, and many prominent Church Fathers were associated with Alexandria. Following the Council of Chalcedon in 451, disagreements over the nature of Christ led to a division between Dyophysite and Miaphysite Christians. The Dyophysite Christians in Egypt remained in communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and developed into the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, while the Miaphysite Christians formed the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria.
Together with the other four Chalcedonian patriarchates, the See of Alexandria formed part of the traditional Pentarchy of the early Christian Church. Following the East–West Schism in 1054, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria remained in communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the other Eastern Orthodox churches.
Over the centuries, the patriarchate's influence and the size of its Christian community declined significantly, particularly after the Arab conquest of Egypt and later historical developments. In the 20th and 21st centuries, however, the patriarchate experienced renewed growth through missionary activity, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, establishing new dioceses and attracting new Eastern Orthodox communities across the continent.
The patriarchate is headed by the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, currently Theodore II of Alexandria, who has served as patriarch since 2004.
The city of Alexandria was the capital of Roman Egypt and one of the largest and most influential cities of the Roman Empire, distinguished by its cosmopolitan population, including Greeks, Egyptians, and a substantial Jewish community.
The history of the Patriarchate of Alexandria is closely linked with the development of early Christianity and includes some of the most influential figures among the Church Fathers, particularly Athanasius and Cyril, who played decisive roles at the ecumenical councils of Nicaea (325) and Ephesus (431), respectively.
According to ecclesiastical tradition, Mark the Evangelist founded the Church of Alexandria around AD 43, having been sent by the apostles Peter and Paul during the reign of the emperor Claudius.
Later traditions indicate that Mark traveled to Rome and northern Italy before returning to Alexandria, where he was eventually martyred, possibly during anti-Christian unrest. According to Eusebius of Caesarea and later hagiographical traditions, his death involved being dragged through the streets of the city.
The earliest Christian converts in Egypt were primarily drawn from the Hellenized Jewish population of Alexandria. However, Christianity rapidly expanded among the native Egyptian population, particularly in the Nile Valley. Evidence of this early expansion includes papyri from Oxyrhynchus (Bahnasa), as well as early Coptic translations of the Gospel of John, which date to the 2nd century.
The growth of Christianity in Egypt was influenced by broader social and political conditions. Roman administration, established after the conquest of Egypt in 30 BC, imposed a highly centralized system of taxation and governance that placed significant burdens on the local population.
Within this context, Christianity offered both a religious alternative and a framework for communal identity that transcended ethnic and social divisions. By the end of the 2nd century, Christian communities were firmly established throughout Egypt.
The symbol of the cross began to gain prominence among Alexandrian Christians, particularly within the emerging Coptic tradition. Earlier symbolic forms, such as the Chi Rho, were also used, especially in imperial contexts associated with Constantine the Great.
Alexandria rapidly became one of the most important intellectual centers of early Christianity. The Catechetical School of Alexandria emerged as a leading institution for theological education, attracting scholars from across the Mediterranean world.
Among its most prominent teachers were Clement of Alexandria and Origen, whose writings had a profound influence on Christian theology. Origen, in particular, developed an allegorical method of scriptural interpretation and contributed significantly to early doctrinal formulation.
At the same time, Alexandria became a center for diverse theological movements. Gnostic teachers such as Basilides, Carpocrates, and Valentinus were active in the city, presenting alternative interpretations of Christian doctrine. These teachings were opposed by church authorities, who sought to define orthodoxy and maintain doctrinal unity.
Monasticism also developed in Egypt during this period and became one of the defining features of Alexandrian Christianity. Figures such as Anthony the Great and Pachomius established models of ascetic life that spread throughout the Christian world.
During the episcopate of Heraclas (231–248), the bishops of Alexandria adopted the title "Pope" (Greek: pappas), reflecting their growing authority within the Christian world.