SSCN Voumes 1-10, 1994-2004

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

manuscripts at the CCM. Only the manuscripts from Abu Saifain will be included in her catalog, because those of St. Mena Church were done earlier in a publication by the Societe d'Archeologie Copte. The Scope of the New Library: In the opening article of the March 5, 2004 issue of the al- Kirazah, the official publication of the Patriarchate, H.H. Pope Shenouda spelled out, in general terms, the proposed scope of this new library. It included the incorporation of existing collections as well as future acquisitions, summarized as follows: · Library of the Coptic Clerical College in Cairo · Library of the renowned Prof. Murad Kamel, previously estimated at 30,000 volumes. · Library of Dr. Kamel Mikhail Abdelsyed · Library of H.G. Bishop Gregorius, the departed dean of the Coptic Institute for Higher Studies · Manuscripts from the ancient Church of Abu Sefain in Old Cairo, which were deposited with the Pope due to the deteriorating shape of that church. · Books to be donated by the Pope from his personal library. · Copies of all the manuscripts in the monasteries and the old churches in Egypt. · Scanned images of the manuscripts from the St. Shenouda Society's microfilm collection, collected from several libraries and museums from around the globe. · Copies of manuscripts from the Austrian National Library. · Publications on Coptology and other disciplines which are of interest to the Theological institutions in Egypt and the Church in general · Publications on Coptic Art, Architecture, Archeology, and monuments · Publications of famous Coptic authors.

Site of the New Library: H.H. Pope Shenouda has generously offered three stories of the multi- story service building, being built inside the Patriarchal Compound in El-Abbasia. The structural work has been completed. The exterior finish, mechanical work, and electrical work are yet to be finished. Arrangement: These three floors will be equipped with book stacks and reading facilities, microfilm/microfiche cabinets and viewing equipment, and electronic media and their associated networked computer system. Also, card and electronic cataloges will be available for these extensive holdings. Project Administration: In the March 19, 2004 issue of al-Kiraza, it was reported that the Pope has issued a Patriarchal decree 14/33 concerning the formation of the General Committee of the Library, headed by him and having the following members: Fr. Ermia Ava Mina (now H.G. Bishop Ermia); Fr. Mikhail Edward, representing the diaspora clergy; Dr. Fawzy G. Estafanous, Eng. Samy Saad; Eng. Samy Fahim Israeel; Eng. Mounir Abdou Fam. Other committees and their membership announced, were as follows: Exterior Finishing Committee: It has the responsibility for coordinating the completion of the exterior finish of the entire Service Building

Eng. Samy Saad Eng. Samy Sabry Eng. Saad Nasr Alla Eng Mounir Abdou Fam

Acquisitions Committee: It has the responsibility of determine the contents of the new library, including books, periodical, microfilms, and the rest of the acquisitions. It will also be responsible for the receipt and inventory of the donated books for the library and the inventory of the current contents named above. Members of this committee are: Fr. Athanasius Farag, New Jersey

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

7