The Coptic Church is the Christian church of Egypt, established by Mark in the 1st century (around 60 A.D)
The church now has dioceses elsewhere in Africa and the Near East. Old Coptic crosses often incorporate a circle; sometimes large, sometime small. The circle was inherited from the Ankh Cross, where it originally depicted the sun god. For the Coptic Church, the circle represents the eternal and everlasting love of God, as shown through Christ's crucifixion. It also symbolizes Christ's halo and resurrection.
