What is the primary difference between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church?

The Russian Orthodox Church is part of the Eastern Orthodox Church, and is therefore in communion with all the other churches that belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church, such as the Greeks, Serbians, Romanians, etc. The Coptic Orthodox Church is part of the "monophysite" group of churches, also called "Oriental" or Non-Chalcedonian churches, and is therefore not in communion with the rest of the Orthodox world. The Eastern Orthodox Church, which includes the Russian Orthodox, accepts the decisions of the Seven (or Nine) Ecumenical Councils, however, the Coptic Orthodox Church does not accept all the Ecumenical Councils. This "monophysite" dispute was over the two equal natures of Christ - human and divine - which the Eastern Orthodox accept, but the monophysites, such as the Coptic church, only accept the one or "mono" nature of Christ's divine nature which later was a misunderstanding,the Eastern Orthodox communion believe christ has two natures human and divine which are seperate while the Coptics believe christ also has two natures human and divine but are united.

According to an agreement reached between the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and the Coptic Orthodox Church in 2001. Actually, prior to this agreement, a Greek Orthodox person could still have married a Coptic Orthodox person, but for the marriage to be recognized by both Churches it would have had to be performed twice (once in each Church). The agreement obligates each Church to recognize the validity of a marriage performed in the other Church.

Another View:

The Russian Orthodox church is part of the Eastern Orthodox church which consists of Greek,Serbian etc the Coptic Orthodox church is part of the Eastern "Oriental" Orthodox church which consists of Armenian,Syrian,Ethopian etc.

They are both Orthodox churches but the Russian orthodox church was granted its own patriach from the Greek Orthodox church founded by St.Andrew and the Coptic Orthodox was founded by St.Mark

They differ in the views of the divinty of christ .Eastern Orthodox beleive christ has 2 natures that are seperate while the Eastern "Oriental" Orthtodox beleive that christ has 2 natures but united

A misunderstanding that Copts beleived in one nature led th the schism of the east in 451 AD this was seen as a misunderstanding.

However both churches are very close and follow Orthodox traditions you won't be able to tell a difference,except in headgear.They are allowed to marry and use each others churches

First answer by Romiosini. Last edit by David2148. Contributor trust: 0 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question]