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The Coptic immigration to France started as early as 1800 after the French invasion of Egypt but a bigger immigration started in the 1960s. On [[June 2 June]] [[, 1974]], His Holiness [[Shenouda III (Gayyid) of Alexandria|Pope Shenouda III]] has received in the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria a native Orthodox Church in France along with their Primate, who in turn was accepted after consecration into the Episcopate, in [[The Holy Synod ]] of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria ]] Alexandri and hence was appointed their Primate His Grace Marcos (Mark), as the first [[Bishop]] and His Grace Athanasios as the [[Chorbishop]] (Deputy Bishop) of the '''French Orthodox Eparchy'''.
{{orientalchurches}}
==Status of The Churchthe church==
On 18 June 1994 His Holiness [[Shenouda III (Gayyid) of Alexandria|Pope Shenouda III]] raised the French Orthodox Eparchy to the full status of the French Orthodox Church.
On [[June 19 June ]] 1994 in presence of 62 Metropolitans and Bishops of The [[Church of Alexandria (Coptic)|Coptic Orthodox Church]] His Holiness Pope Shenouda III elevated His Grace Marcos (Mark) as the first [[Metropolitan]] of the Holy Metropolis of [[w:|Toulon]] & All [[w:|France]] and [[Primate]] of the French Orthodox Church and His Grace Athanasios as [[Bishop|Auxiliary Bishop]] Assistant to H.E Marcos.
Currently, the church has also many Priests serving in Paris and other French cities.
==Faith and Governancegovernance==
The French Orthodox Church being an upholder of the Orthodox faith as defined by the Apostolic Throne of Alexandria, is integrated within the Church of Alexandria, but is considered autonomous in matter of governance.
==See also==
*[[British Orthodox Church]]
*[[Coptic Orthodox Church in Wales]]
*[[Church of Alexandria (Coptic)]]
*[[fr:Métropole copte orthodoxe de France]][[ar:الكنيسة الفرنسية الأرثوذوكسيةCoptic Orthodox Church in Europe]]
==External links==
*[http://www.eglise-copte-orthodoxe-de-france.fr The French Coptic Orthodox Church website]*[http://eocfwww.freefrance-copte.frnet/eglisep_eng.htm France Copte website]*[http://www.france-coptecoptipedia.netcom Coptepedia website]*[http://saint.athanase.free.fr Saint Athanase Church Website]
