The Nicene Legacy in the Coptic context. The Transmission of the Nicene and Constantinopolitan Creeds in the Egyptian Area

This contribution examines the Coptic tradition’s preservation and reinterpretation of the Nicene (N) and Nicene-Constantinopolitan (C) Creeds, uncovering textual plasticity within doctrinal stability. Through interdisciplinary analysis of manuscripts like CLM 359, it traces creedal transmission from canonical collections to liturgical codices, revealing lexical adaptations and contextual theological refinements. By integrating non-Greek/Latin sources, the study highlights how Coptic scribes negotiated Chalcedonian and anti-Chalcedonian influences, maintaining at center the “true” Nicene faith. The research underscores the dynamic interplay of culture, authority, and theology in late antique Egypt, challenging narratives of Nicene legacy and exploring the impact of other literary traditions.