SSCN Voumes 1-10, 1994-2004

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

14. St. Mark Foundation for Coptic History: Dr. Fawzy Estafanous of Cleveland, Ohio is continuing the colossal effort of organizing this new foundation for the detailed study of Coptic History (Church and people). During the last period, the foundation's Cairo Office has been working on the organization of the upcoming historical Wadi 'N Natroun Symposium in late January to early February 2002. The work on the CD version of the Coptic Encyclopedia is progressing (see #18). The latest literary accomplishment of the Foundation is detailed in #7 above. Work is progressing on the cataloging of the manuscripts, kept at the Papal residence in Wadi' N. Natroun. The collection has never been cataloged before. Dr. Gawdat Gabra is coordinating this project. Prof. Fayek Ishak of Toronto Canada, has published a commemorative volume of COPTOLOGIA vol 16, the last one before the reorganization that is detailed in #12 above. Society Members should have already received their copy in the mail. Comments, suggestions, and lifetime membership information can be directed to the following address: Dr. F. G. Estafanous Website: www.stmarkfoundation.coptic-history.org The support of Copts and scholars is needed to continue the efforts of this organization. May God bless all the efforts that His children are making for the glory of His holy Name. 15. Coptic Book Library: The Library is still growing with the addition of several more volumes, including a number of rare titles. The most notable of the new acquisitions for the past quarter: Abdalla, L’Ordinamento Liturgico Di. Gabriele V. [Introduction, text, and translation] (1962); Abdalla, L’Ordinamento Liturgico Di. Gabriele V. [Text only] (1962); Alexandre, A. & B. Alexandre. L'Incarnation de la Lumiere, (2000); Bulletin de la Société d’Archéologie Copte vol. 28 (1986-9) , 29 (1990), 37 (1998), 38 (1999); Burmester, O. H. The Horologion of the Egyptian Church [Introduction, Coptic & Arabic text and translation] (1973); Burmester, O. H. The Horologion of the Egyptian Church [Coptic text only] (1973); van Doorn-Harder, N. and K. Vogt (eds.) Between Desert and City: The Coptic Orthodox Church Today (1997); Hyvernat, H. Les Actes des Martyrs de l’Egypte (Reprint: 1977); Junker, H. Koptische Poesie 21106 South Woodland Road Shaker Heights, OH 44122 Tel: (216) 921-4748, Fax: (216) 921-3637 e-mail: jestodad@aol.com

des Jahrhundert 2-vol in one (Reprint 1977); Mistrih, V. Juhanna ibn Zakaria ibn Siba - Pretiosa Margarita de Scientiis Ecclesiasticis (1966); Studia Orientalia Christiana, Collectanea , vols 4 (1959); 5(1960), 6 (1961), 7 (1962), 8 (1963), 9 (1964), 10 (1965), 11 (1966), 12 (1967) 13 (1968-9), 14 (1970-71); 15 (1972- 73), 16 (1981); Wadi, A. Summa al-Mu’taman ibn al-‘Assal 5 vol. (1997-2000). 16. Coptic Classes: The advanced translation seminar, conducted at the Center on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:00 p.m., is dealing with the translation and study of the Bohairic version of the Book of Genesis. Two sessions of our experimental class in Coptic for ages 8- 13 are currently being held at the Center, teaching Coptic II. Two more similar sessions began in June with another one for adults. All these classes are taught at the Los Angeles Coptic Center by Mr. Hany N. Takla. The Center is also hosting an advanced class in Sahidic, that previously was holding its sessions at UCLA. The instructor is Dr. Monica Bontty (e-mail: uhura@humnet.ucla.edu) who is a Staff Research Assistant at the University as well as a UCLA Extension instructor. The class held it first session at the Center on Saturday March 31, 2001. The regular meeting time is Saturdays 1-4 p.m. Currently texts from Apophthgmata Patrum and the Gospel of Thomas are being translated. The class is currently in summer recess due to Dr. Bontty’s participation in an archeological expedition in Egypt. It is scheduled to resume on August 11. 17. Lecture Series at the Coptic Center: The Society is scheduling a monthly series of lectures on topics related to Coptic History. Deacon Severus (Maged) S. A. Mikhail, the Center's research assistant will be delivering these lectures. They are usually scheduled for the third or fourth Thursday of the month, between the hours of 7:30 and 9:00 pm. The next two are scheduled for August 23, and September 20, 2001.

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter The previous lectures were delivered on May 31 and June 28, 2001. They dealt with the following topics: +May 31, Chrisitian Nubia and the Coptic Church : This lecture was an overview of Christian Nubia and its relations with the Coptic Church and especially the Coptic Patriarch.

+June 28, The Arab Conquest : This lecture was a re- examination of the dominant historical narrative of the Conquest. It highlighted some of the misconceptions along with deficiencies in the sources. The ensuing

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