SSCN Voumes 1-10, 1994-2004

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

Bishop Samuel introduced the latest, including his own, work in the field of monastic settlements in Wadi 'N Natroun. He introduced in archeological and architecture details these buildings which very much replicate those found earlier in Kellia. In making his description, he introduced the audience to a monastic system unlike the one they are familiar with in the modern days. He also exposed them to the methodology employed in doing such work. He then emphasized how this work was important in understanding the way monasticism was practiced during its golden era. A practice that we all feel, would be of immense value to the current-day monastic revival in Egypt. Dr. Van Elderen in his presentation reintroduced his prior excavations of the Nag Hammadi site and the St. Pachomius church at Faw Qibli. The manuscripts found there have ignited new interest in Coptic Studies from different disciplines and countries in the second half of the 20th century. He also discussed the recent connection being made between the Gnostic Nag Hammadi find and the orthodox Pachomian settlements found in the area. He emphatically contradicted such a connection on archaeological as well as other grounds. He also introduced the results of the Scriptorium's third excavation season at Wadi 'N Natroun monastery of St. John the Little. Rev Dr. Tim Vivian also participated there. He introduced to the audience the further work that was done at the monastery church, tying it to the work done in the previous two seasons. b. Coptic Art: This was designed to be the most important presentation of this conference, not only for the uniqueness of its contents but more for the presence of its esteemed author. However his sudden departure from this transitional world deprived the audience of such a great opportunity. Thanks to Dr. Kees Veelenturf, his friend and the late Prof. van Moorsel's family, the audience was not totally deprived of his presentation. This was done by the able moderator of this conference, Rev. Dr. Vivian in the last session of the second day. The presentation was a survey of the work of this great Dutch art historian from the departure of

his predecessor, The French art historian, Fr. Julies Leroy, to the present time. It explored the work done in Wadi 'N Natroun monasteries as well as the Red Sea monasteries of St. Antony and St. Paul. Of course mention was made of the cleaning work done at the Ancient Church of St. Antony that has yielded the best examples of Christian frescoes found in what historians refer to as 'Islamic Egypt'. c. Coptic History: Five papers were presented in this category. Three were presented on the first day and two on the second. They dealt with broad range of subjects from ancient to modern. The first was by Mr. Maged Attia of Sidney Australia, and delivered by Miss Nefertiti M. Takla during the morning session of the first day. It dealt with the challenges that the Christian Coptic family was facing in the Diaspora. The author touched upon the subject of the generation gap and culture collisions that the families have been experiencing. He also illustrated how the church was helping the families in dealing with these problems through its rich liturgical heritage. This paper unlike any other evoked the longest discussion during the conference. Many of the participants felt that the illustration made did not apply too well to the families in the US. Some suggested that one of the problems that the church needs to address is the lack of individuality accorded to its members in Egypt as well as abroad. Others suggested that we go back and look at what the other immigrant communities in America have done in response to this similar situation. I am hoping that this healthy exchange would move members of the Coptic community into researching this subject from a historical perspective. An approach that would be more fruitful than mere disjointed discussions. The second paper, delivered by Miss Nardine and Dr. S. Michael Saad dealt with the history of the selection process of the Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria. The authors surveyed the different methods employed in making such a selection over the past 1900 plus years. Each method was briefly described and more emphasis was given to explaining the current selection method which

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

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