Coptic Pope Theodosius I (500-5 June 567) was Coptic Pope from 536 to 567, succeeding Coptic Pope Timothy III and preceding Coptic Pope Peter IV.
Biography[]
Theodosios was born in 500 CE in Aegyptus to a Christian family, and he was consecrated as Coptic Pope after the death of Coptic Pope Timothy III in 536. Theodosius was initially supported by Byzantine emperor Justinian, but he lost Justinian's support by supporting Miaphysitism instead of Orthodox Christianity. He was exiled and replaced by Patriarch Paul of Alexandria, an Orthodox candidate, but Copts continued to recognize Theodosius as the rightful pope; this led to the split between the pro-Theodosius Copts and the pro-Paul Melkites, who were later considered to be Catholics. Theodosius remained in prison in Upper Egypt until his death in 567, and Coptic Pope Peter IV became the new pope on his death.