SSCN Voumes 1-10, 1994-2004

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

about the essential symbiosis between language, spirituality and culture. I have no love-hate relationships with the Coptic Orthodox. I deplore the antics of all organised religion. The Copts have been the great ecumenical fact of my life. For me light shines out of Egypt in the persons of Abd al-Masih El-Habashi, Abba Justus, Abba Kyrillos, Abouna Matta and their kind. Coptic by convincement they are universal in their inward lives. They represent the true glory of the Copts and by any comparison, though all kinds of analysis are necessary for us, the rest is propaganda. Finally, in reaffirming my thanks to the Coptic Society in Los Angeles, I ought to say that I have not enjoyed good health for some time. I have neither the time nor the inclination for conflict. I do know that I have offended many hierarchs and laity. There is no other way. If I have not written that which is true then I shall have to bear the responsibility. It is of the character of all institutional structures that they cannot tolerate criticism. To put a gloss on Robert Frost, the great 1. Credit Card Payment: In an effort to make the Society's services available to a greater n mber of people, especially outside of the US, the Society has made an agreement through its local bank to accept Credit Card payment. The process will be limited at this time to Visa or Master Card only. There will be however a 4% surcharge for all transactions by non- dues-paying members that total less than $30 within the US. All foreign orders will be exempt from such surcharge. 2. Coptic Art Books from Egypt: The two new titles by Mr. Nabil S. Atalla are available. His earlier 2- volume Coptic Art book is also available in very limited quantity. Prices for these items are as follows: Title Member Non-member Coptic Icons, 2-v. (1-4) ea. $40.00 $45.00 Coptic Icons, 2-v. (5+) ea. $35.00 $40.00 Escape to Egypt, ea. $10.00 $12.00 Coptic Art, 2-v, ea. $35.00 $40.00

American poet laureate, I have promises to keep and miles to go, according to God’s mercy and His timetable. My programme includes a complete revision of my 1993 essay on Abba Justus and a new booklet about Abouna Bishoi Kamel. Maged S.A. Mikhail has given me some reassurance that I am not completely wasting my time, and for that I am grateful to him. A final Word by the Newsletter Editor: It not customary for this Newsletter to publish esponses to articles. An exception was made in this case because the intent was not clear to the readers. This book does provide a fresh critical look at the modern Coptic Church. In it he dealt with the positive, amplifying at time to a near patronising level, and dealing with the negative as objectively as possible. A scholar may find it different in format from a scholarly historical treatment of the subject. But it does provide him with a wealth of research information on the subject. For the ordinary Copts, this book is easier to read but may be difficult to stomach in some places! 3. Midnight Psalmody: This long-awaited title has arrived. It is the third title of Audio-remastered works of Raghab Moftah's monumental efforts. It includes a 4-CD (Audio) edition of the Coptic Midnight Psalmody along with a computer CD that contain a scanned image of the text of the Psalmodia in Coptic, Arabic and English. This nearly four hours of recordings complete the trilogy of the majestic Coptic Sacred music, and it includes all the necessary components of the Midnight Hymnology for the Sunday Office. It also include many of the long beautiful hymns that most of us rarely or ever hear them in our churches these days. A true monumental preservation effort. For cost information see # 6 below. 4. An Altar to the Lord: COEPA's new Multimedia computer CD, done in commemoration of the June 1 celebration in Egypt of the 2000th Anniversary of the Holy Family's escape to Egypt, is still available. It contains many resources, including the Holy Bible

News (by Hany N. Takla)

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

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