SSCN Voumes 1-10, 1994-2004

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

Place: and accommodations provided by UCLA were excellent. The organizers, their families, and the attendees worked together to make it another successful event. Organizers: This was another cooperative effort between the Society (SSACS), the Collegiate Coptic Club of that university (CCC-UCLA), and Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures. Miss. Nardine Saad, representing CCC- UCLA, has contributed through her tireless efforts significantly to the success of this symposium. Worthy of mention is the great efforts of Dr. S. Michael Saad, this year dynamic moderator, and Dr. Nabil el-Gabalawi. If it was not for their diligence prior and during this event, it would not have been possible. Publications of the Proceedings: The papers presented at this Symposium will tentatively be published as part of the 6th volume of the Society's Bulletin for the year 1999-2000 along with those of the 1999 Coptic Conference. A final draft of each paper shall be submitted by the presenter no later than November 30, 2000. sections functioning as a guide through the ancient nucleus of the monastery. According to Michael Jones, Manager of the Antiquities Development Project, the goal of the book is to present the Coptic heritage as an active and flourishing culture rather than as a subject of ancient history. The book thus includes brief discussions and photographs of contemporary religious service within the monastery in an attempt to illustrate the project’s guiding principle that the monastery is “not a museum but a living community.” In addition to a foreword by Michael Jones, the book also begins with a few spiritual words from His Grace Anba Agathon, Abbot of the Monastery of St. Paul and a symbol of the devout community that continues to dwell within the monastery. The The place, equipment,

In the afternoon session Rev. Dr. Vivian presented an introduction to Daniel of Scetis which is the subject of his latest scholarly endeavor. Miss Saad presented a follow up of her last year paper on the election of the Pope of Alexandria, which drew attention to the different selection traditions found in history. Prof. Ayad made a slide presentation, aiming at drawing attention to similarities found in the Qumran Jewish community and the Coptic monastic living practices. Dr. Rapp concluded the session with a superb presentation on the practice of monastic intercessory prayer which strengthened social ties among the monks, their disciples, and the laity. The investigation was made using seldomly used texts in Coptic Studies, personal letters . The Symposium concluded with a panel discussion, dealing with the role played or envisioned for Coptic Culture in a pluralistic society as the one found in the United States. The two presenters expressed divergent views about how such interaction be conducted in Egypt from a secular perspective as opposed to the US from a religious perspective. Much heated discussion was generated as a result with no appreciable positive results! Monastery of St Paul. By WILLIAM LYSTER. Cairo, American Research Center in Egypt, 1999. Pp. 96, numerous photographs and plans. This publication is a guidebook that marks the completion of the architectural conservation project undertaken at the Monastery of St. Paul in Egypt. The project was conducted from 1997 to 1998 by the American Research Center in Egypt and the Supreme Council of Antiquities. The purpose of the book is to introduce visitors to both the rich history of the monastery and the Coptic tradition that thrives within it. The book is organized into thirty-two short chapters, with the first few sections serving as an introduction to the Coptic Orthodox religion and the remaining

Monastery of St. Paul by William Lyster - Book Review (by Nefertiti M. Takla)

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

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