Egypt's Coptic Church is an ancient Christian church that has been in existence since the first century AD. It is the largest Christian denomination in Egypt and is a major religious, cultural, and political force in the country. The Coptic Church is a part of the Oriental Orthodox family of churches, which includes the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Syriac Orthodox Church, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The Coptic Church is known for its unique liturgy, which is based on the Alexandrian Rite. It is also known for its strong emphasis on monasticism and asceticism.