SSCN Voumes 1-10, 1994-2004

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

borrowing language different from that in the original language. 5. In the presentation, examples of terms borrowed (from Latin and Greek) by the Coptic, English, and Arabic Languages will be presented. Examples of words and terms borrowed from the Coptic (Egyptian) language by the English and other languages will also be presented. In light of the above mentioned facts and using biblical and other scholarly references, the appropriateness of translating litugical terms such as pantokratwr (Almighty), logoc (Word), and yeotokoc (Mother of God) will be evaluated. ----------------------- Title: The Making of Traditional Egyptian Abstract: Why one would want to write such a book: Good experiences of Copts in 1974 created a desire in a church historian familiar with ancient Egyptian church history to study how Egyptian Christianity got from 451 AD to the end of the 20th century. Such a study could lead to a book. Why one might feel capable of undertaking such a study: A university and a theological education plus two master's degrees and a PhD in church history; fifteen years of teaching church history at seminary and university level. Fluency in French and Spanish and ability to read German, Latin, Greek, Coptic, and Arabic with heavy dependence on dictionaries. Researching the book: Visits to churches and monasteries and institutions in Egypt and interviews with Coptic Christians there and elsewhere. Mainly, however, extensive study of published materials in libraries in the USA, England, Egypt, France, and Israel. Journals were subscribed to and Christianity Presenter: Rev. Dr. Theodore Hall Partrick , (Greensboro, NC)

publications of the Societe d'archeologie copte were secured for careful study. The writing: Certain chapters or sections presented special challenges of various kinds: chapter I for lack of contemporary information, II for the importance of early theologians, monastics, and organizing patriarchs. III for leadership and then breakup in ecumenical Christianity. IV for shift to Coptic. V for beginnings of domination of Arabic and Islam. VI-VII for virtual stagnation. IX-XI for church renaissance, a strong laity, and ups and downs in patriarchal leadership and in sharing in leadership in Egypt. Conclusion: The joy in the effort, and the hope that a need is met. ----------------------- Title: Iris el-Masry: A Historian and Theologian Presenter: Dr. Saad Michael Saad, (Los Angeles, CA) Abstract: Iris el-Masry (1911-1994) is one of the most distinguished Coptic Church historians in the last twenty centuries. In addition to her voluminous writings in history, however, Iris was also a psychologist, an educator, a philanthropist, a politician, and a theologian! This paper attemts to analyze Iris' approach to history and to discover what was particular about her thought and writing in theology. ----------------------- Title: The Revival and Modernization of the Coptic Language Presenter: Hany N. Takla , (Los Angeles, CA) Abstract: The languge is the soul of its people. It reflects their thought process, their conscious, and their culture. The survival of the language of the Copts has been turbulent at best since the Arab conquest of Egypt in the middle of the seventh century AD. Since the second half of the 19th century, lay and clerical efforts has been expended to revive its use

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

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