SSCN Voumes 1-10, 1994-2004

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

Gervers and Ramzi Bikhazi. Toronto: Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies. 3. As far as I know, public trials were rare in Islamic history. Most trials were held in Shari'a courts and judged over by a qadi. The use of Islamic courts for Copts and other minorities was strictly OPTIONAL for them. However, both church and court records indicate to us that Islamic courts were often used by minorities to settle their disputes, for they were known among them to have a high reputation of fairness. Commentary: The Society usually does not publish comments to any of the published material in the Newsletter. However in this case, an exception was made because of the important historical issues that are raised here. The third comment is well-taken and directly addresses a particular portion of the article. The first two comments, however, raises very grave issues. In relation to the article, they assume conclusions that the article never claimed. What the article had was mere historical observations that are worth 1. St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter: We have started with this issue the new and more expanded 'Subscriber Edition' . All members and non- members will be receiving this first issue. The next issue will be send only to members-in-good- standing of the Society. Non-members on our mailing list will be receiving the abridged version of the Newsletter. Those interested in having a separate publication subscription, including the Newsletter and the Annual Bulletin, can do so with an annual subscription rate is $15 ($10 for students) within the US and Canada. Subscription for overseas addresses will be $20 ($15 for students). 2. Coptic Symposium 1997: On June 28, 1997, The Society held its first official Coptic Symposium. The Symposium dealt with two specific topics in Coptic Studies; Church History

mentioning about the period. Beyond the scope of the article, sensible minds would agree that the Copts can not legitimately claim that they were always persecuted by the government in Egypt throughout their history. However, they were more often than not oppressed by fanatic elements that always existed throughout history. So to validate comments made above, one would need to take into account actual events by rulers as well as the populace. We in essence need to gather more evidence about the period before coming up with such general conclusions. At this ime, I would personally disagree with these comments on the basis of the early hostility of Saladin toward the Copts as well as them being suspected, by the populace at least, to be allied with the crusaders. Still I would reserve a final judgment when all the facts are in! Nonetheless, it is refreshing to have these matters debated. It can definitely help to promote beneficial research in the field. We appreciate such comments by Ms. Armanios, though we beg to mostly disagree! and Liturgy. The event was held at St. Peter and St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Santa Monica, California. His Grace Bishop Serapion, the Coptic bishop of Los Angeles, attended the symposium and delivered the opening address. A total of about 80 persons attended some or all of the four sessions that were conducted. These sessions included two plenary papers and ten research papers. The participants included University students as well professional Copts. They all shared the common bond of the love for the Copts and their culture. This all-day affair proved that Copts are ready, willing, and able to conduct academic-level research in Coptic Studies. The proceedings for the symposium is scheduled to be published in Volume 4 of the Society's Annual Bulletin, scheduled for early 1998.

News (by Hany N. Takla)

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

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