ABSTRACT

This book offers a comprehensive introduction to the heritage of Coptic Christians. The contributors combine academic expertise with intimate and practical knowledge of the Coptic Orthodox Church and Coptic heritage. The chapters explore historical, cultural, literary and material aspects, including:

  • the history of Christianity in Egypt, from the pre-Christian era to the modern day

  • Coptic religious culture: theology, monasticism, spirituality, liturgy and music
  • the Coptic language, linguistic expressions of the Coptic heritage and literary production in Greek, Coptic and Arabic .
  • material culture and artistic expression of the Copts: from icons, mosaics and frescos to manuscript illuminations, woodwork and textiles.

Students will find The Coptic Christian Heritage an invaluable introduction, whilst scholars will find its breadth provides a helpful context for specialised research.

chapter |6 pages

Introduction

part I|96 pages

Coptic Christian History

chapter 1|14 pages

The Pre-Christian Period

Changing Times and Cultural Endurance

chapter 2|16 pages

The Early Christian Period (42–642)

The Spread and Defense of the Christian Faith under Roman Rule

chapter 3|15 pages

The Early Islamic Period (641–1517)

From the Arab Conquest through Mamlūk Rule

chapter 4|17 pages

The Ottoman Period (1517–1798)

Beyond Persecution or Tolerance

chapter 5|16 pages

The Pre-Modern Period (1798–1952)

The Age of Citizenship and Reform

chapter 6|16 pages

The Modern Period (1952–2011)

An Era of Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs

part II|74 pages

Coptic Religious Culture

chapter 7|11 pages

Theology

Defending Orthodoxy

chapter 8|16 pages

Monasticism

Living Scripture and Theological Orthodoxy

chapter 9|11 pages

Spirituality

In God's Presence

chapter 10|17 pages

Liturgy

Heaven on Earth

chapter 11|17 pages

Music

Performing Coptic Expressive Culture

part III|60 pages

Coptic Literary Culture

chapter 12|16 pages

The Coptic Language

The Link to Ancient Egyptian

chapter 13|14 pages

The Greek Literature of the Copts

Innovative and Formative Era

chapter 14|15 pages

Coptic Literature

Copts Writing in their Own Tongue

chapter 15|13 pages

Coptic Arabic Literature

When Arabic Became the Language of Saints

part IV|34 pages

Coptic Material Culture

chapter 16|32 pages

Coptic Art

A Multifaceted Artistic Heritage