A Visit to the Orthodox Coptic Church

Right by our village looms a large Orthodox Coptic Church.  This church is the second largest cathedral in Egypt.  Each day as we walk to town I notice the ornate entryway, the beautiful arches and the streams of people coming in and out.

I don't know much about their beliefs and wanted to take a tour sometime when the opportunity arose.  A friend of mine called one evening and said that a woman was available to show us around.  I'll let the pictures do the talking, but one point of interest I wanted to add.  During the upheaval in the summer between political parties, clashes between religious sects also broke out.  Churches across Egypt were being damaged and destroyed.  Our city also had rising tensions.

One evening, word spread that a group of angry protestors were making their way toward the cathedral.  The Coptics within the church began to prepare for an assault.  As they were doing so, a stream of people from our village began making their way toward the church.  The Nubian M*slims formed a circle along with the Coptics and held hands creating a human wall to the oncoming mob.  They held fast and the protestors gave up and walked away.

The pope of the Orthodox church recently made a stop here to thank the Nubian people for their heroic behavior.  Oh, you may be interested to know that the tour guide from the church didn't tell me this story, but rather a Nubian felucca (sailboat) captain who expressed his sentiments that he was proud to help these people and that no harm should ever come to them.

So I'll keep asking questions and finding out more about this small percentage of society here who call themselves "Copts," but until I report again…enjoy the photos!

Coptic art has many icons...The four Gospel writers are represented in each corner.

The front of the sanctuary

The Coptic cross represents the four Gospels.  Each arm has three points for the Trinity.

The pews are all inlaid wood.  No nails are used since Jesus was crucified with nails.

Different saints represented...can't remember them all.

Some of the disciples...

This curtain can only be entered by the Bishop or the Pope.

The oak, ash and walnut woods are imported from America due to their ability to withstand extreme heat.

Jesus' baptism.

The beautiful pulpit.

The special seat for the Bishop or Pope when he is present.

The Last Supper

Mary and Joseph's entry to Egypt.

The sanctuary seats 3000.  Men on left.  Women on right.

The doorway...

Tradition says if the church bells ring within your hearing distance and you don't attend church, you are sinning.

Today's BOGO Blog:  So Much CARE!