Coptic Saints and Pilgrimages [Hardcover]

Otto F. A. Meinardus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2004

The Coptic Christian tradition is one that goes back almost two thousand years to the very beginnings of Christianity: Mark the Evangelist himself is said to have brought the faith to Alexandria. In his Two Thousand Years of Coptic Christianity (AUC Press, 1999), renowned scholar Otto Meinardus reviewed the history of the official church from its earliest days to the end of the twentieth century, with its doctrinal disputes and its long isolation from other world churches. Here in Coptic Saints and Pilgrims, he examines the other side of the coin, the popular traditions and beliefs of the people. While the Coptic Orthodox church is strongly influenced by Hellenistic modes of thinking, many of the folk attitudes and practices by contrast have their roots in the religious heritage of pharaonic Egypt, and while the official faith is by its sacramental nature exclusive, the folk religion is inclusive and touches every aspect of the personal lives of ordinary Copts. It is this popular aspect of Coptic religious devotion that is revealed here, in its many points of focus: biblical saints, martyrs, ascetics, equestrian warriors, 'silverless' physicians, women saints, pilgrimage, dreams, visions, and apparitions.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

DR. OTTO F.A. MEINARDUS was the author of numerous publications on the history of Christianity in Egypt and the Near East, including, most recently, Coptic Saints and Pilgrimages (AUC Press, 2002).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 122 pages
• Publisher: American University in Cairo Press (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9774246926
• ISBN-13: 978-9774246920
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,543,848 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating look at a forgotten People, March 2, 2007

By 

Heldenbaer1 (Minneapolis, MN. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coptic Saints and Pilgrimages (Hardcover)

Copts claim that they are the descendants of the Ancient Egyptians, the 'Egypt' that would 'convert' to Biblical faith. And, with the Copts, biblical prophecy (they say) was fulfilled.

This book is a wonderful look at the Coptic Church, her people, history, and position in Egypt, a modern 'secular Muslim' country today.

While the religious side of things is clearly in evidence in this slim volume, for Americans, this book would be a clear indication of how, in light of Christians living and prosper (or not!) under a Muslim overlordship, this book is invaluable. It is even more valuable, for all those that don't seem to think having a "Muslim Senator" in one's own state, is a contradiction to freedom and American historical honesty!

Even if one is Southern Baptist, a book like this would shed light on a part of Christianity that fell away from conciliar Orthodoxy [Copts are clearly Monophysite, which is a heresy condemned by the Seven Ecumenical Councils], yet to this day maintains her existence, in the face of a hating and hostile Muslim majority.
Europeans and Americans could learn much from this book, if only in matters of statecraft, freedom of religion, and competing faiths.