Pope Shenuda III, Head of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church, seen here in January 2008. Shenuda III
Posted on 11/26/2008 6:27:02 AM PST by NYer
Pope Shenuda III, Head of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church, seen here in January 2008. Shenuda III
One thousand Christians were today trapped inside the Coptic Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary in West Ain Shams,Cairo, after more than twenty thousand Muslims attacked them with stones and butane gas cylinders. The Church's priest Father Antonious said that the situation is extremely dangerous.
The Muslim mob that attacked the church blocked both sides of the street and encircled the church building, broke its doors and demolished its entire first floor. The mob were chanting Jihad verses as well as slogans saying "we will demolish the church" and "We sacrifice our blood and souls, we sacrifice ourselves for you, Islam", while the entrapped Christians chanted "Lord have mercy".
The incident started on the occasion of the inauguration of the Church today, when the Muslims hastily established a Mosque in the early hours of this morning, by taking over the first floor of a newly-built building facing the Church and started praying there.
When the security forces tried to disperse the mob, they went to nearby homes and shops owned by Christians, and were armed with sticks, butane, knives and other sharp objects. Witnesses said the mob included children from as young as 8-years old to men of over 50-years old, in addition to women.
The Church building was originally a factory that was adapted into its present state, the matter which took over five years to complete and to get the necessary permissions from the authorities to have a Church established.
Human rights organizations and lawyers were refused entry into the besieged Church.
www.voiceofthecopts.org
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Religion of peace ... nothing new at all.
That is one of the oldest Christian groups on earth!
They weren’t muslims, they were factory workers who lost their jobs because the church was in a old factory.
More “peaceful coexistence” from Islam.
Hope the Pope gives them a stern talking to! God help the Christian Faith.
We need to support these people with regular, committed prayer.
But I am supposed to believe that Muslims are nice, God-fearing people. I don’t believe it.
Muslims are uncivilized violent animals.
Yes. Also one of the oldest HERETICAL groups. The Copts are Nestorians. They left the Church because the refused to accept the two natures of Christ, and refused to accept the decrees of the Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon. The cross themselves with one finger, symbolizing the “One Nature”....
There, fixed.
I honestly wish we could do that too....
(Don’t discount the prayer though.)
Are there any good estimates on how Christian (as opposed to pagan) Egypt was when the animals came roaring out of Arabia bringing Islam by the sword. Am I mistaken in my belief that virtually every “muslim nation” was nominally Christian until Mohammed’s army arrived?
Where are the Knights Templar when you need them ?
According to this source, citing traditional historical accounts:
Saint Mark the Evangelist [author of the second gospel] introduced Christianity into Egypt. He was martyred at Alexandria, Egypt. Saint Mark is the first leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and was followed by his first convert in Alexandria, Annianus circa 62 A.D. An unbroken succession of leaders for the Coptic Orthodox Church starts with Saint Mark and continues to the present Pope Shenouda III. He is the 117th successor of Saint Mark.
At the time, Alexandria had the largest population of Jews in the world. Hence, it is likely Christianity was introduced there almost immediately after the Pentecost following the martyrdom of Christ in 30 AD.
According to tradition, John Mark arrived in Egypt shortly after he was expelled from Rome, along with all other Jews, by the Emperor Claudius in 48-49 AD. John Mark was then martyred in Alexandria in the Jewish riots of 54-55 AD.
Yes. May I recommend an outstanding book for your Christmas list? You will not be able to put this one down.
Reader ReviewWhen enjoying this page-turner, the reader has to remind themselves from time to time that they are reading a non-fiction account. Father Mark's journey,which he unselfishly invites us to participate, is enthralling. The sights, sounds and personalities of the monastic subculture he describes are unknown to most of us, but are truly worthy of exploration. What begins as an academic pursuit evolves into a mission, sanctified in the most austere and remote corners of the Egyptian desert. Yet, the intensely sacrificial life of the desert monks, does not subjucate the reader. Instead, Father Mark's account brings to life the divine richness of their existance. To delight in this gem of a book, one does not need to be deeply religious. However, it is hard to imagine that a reader could participate in this expedition with Father Mark without being transformed spiritually, as he was.
Journey Back to Eden: My Life and Times Among the Desert Fathers
I believe you are confusing the Coptic Orthodox with oriental Orthodox churches such as the Ethiopian Orthodox. The Coptics do not reject either the full humanity or divinity of Christ. For an explanation on Coptic Orthodox belief regarding the nature of Christ see
http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/theology/nature_of_christ.pdf
Islam in action as usual.
It’s a death cult, that’s all.
It’s THE GREATEST LIE EVER TOLD.
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