The Religious Climate in Egypt and Coptic Christianity

Grace, Sarah, Momo, Cori, & Sam

What is Coptic Christianity?- Originated in Alexandria around 42 A.D.- Coptic Christianity shares many beliefs and practices with the

Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church - Coptic Christians practice seven sacraments: baptism,

confirmation, confession, communion, matrimony, unction of the sick, and ordination.

- The sacraments are their way of receiving God’s grace and guidance from the Holy Spirit.

How did Coptic Christianity disseminate Egypt?

- The Coptic Church is based on the teachings of Saint Mark

- Christianity spread throughout Egypt within 50 years of Saint Mark’s arrival in Alexandria

- It is one of the oldest Christian communities in the Middle East

Demographics of Coptic Christianity

- Out of the 18 million Coptic Christians, 10-15 million of them can be found in Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria

- There is currently a downward trend of Copts in Egypt

- The Diaspora of Coptic Christians is near 4 million

Examples of Coptic Christianity in Miramar:

“Her style of dress leaves little doubt that she went to school with the Virgin Mary” (Mahfouz 55).“‘Glory be to Him who remaineth’” (Mahfouz 5).

“She invited me to take a seat and sat down herself under a statue of the Madonna” (Mahfouz 87).

Overall, what was the religious climate in Egypt during the 20th century?

- The Coptic church regards itself as “a strong defendant of Christian faith”

- The Coptic people, under Roman rule and societal influence, consisted of Greeks, Jews, and Egyptians

- Thus, Christianity had to accommodate different cultural, language, and religious backgrounds

- Other churches in cities throughout the Roman Empire saw Coptic christians as an inspiration

- The Muslim Brotherhood was formed in 1928

Interactive Portion- When did coptic christianity originate?

- Where did it originate?

- Who persecuted coptic christians?

Bibliography

http://www.coptic.net/EncyclopediaCoptica/

http://www.gotquestions.org/Coptic-Christianity.html

http://christianity.about.com/od/Coptic-Orthodoxy/a/JZ-Coptic-Christian-Beliefs.htm