SSCN Voumes 1-10, 1994-2004

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

The Coptic Synaxarion also includes, in addition to the local saints and martyrs, some non-native figures like Greek, Syrian, Armenian, Roman, and Persian saints and martyrs. The first Arabic recension of the Coptic Synaxarion is attributed to Anba Butrus al Jamil, Bishop of Malij ( 12th-13th century). This was followed by a recension made by Anba Mikhail, Bishop of Atrib and Malij(1243-1247), though others are known to have participated in this task, including Anba Yuhanna, Bishop of Parallos (Burullus). The evolution of the Synaxarion has continued to the present day by the constant inclusion of successive saints, martyrs, and bishops. The Synaxarion, therefore, through its development, bears constant witness to the life of the Coptic Church, militant and triumphant. In search for the Lost Egyptian Identity , by Maged S. Mikhail, MD Usage of the terms "Copt" and "Coptic" in the English language is widely accepted but is very problematic with regard to both denotation and connotation. This applies to both scholarly as well as common usage. This fact has already been alluded to by Pierre du Bourguet in the Coptic Encyclopaedia. First both terms are linguistically unnecessary in the English language and should be replaced with "Egyptian". Since English directly borrows the words "Egypt: and "Egyptian" from Greek, the use of "Copt" and "Coptic" is not necessary. Second, when the terms are used to indicate a Christian Egyptian or pertaining to Egyptian Christianity they can be misleading and are imprecise. Whether the terms are used with reference to a historic period, language, religion, or culture their use causes confusion and in many instances invokes many established biases. On the balance, usage of these words have done more harm and will continue to harm the people, their history, and their language. Habib Girgis: A Theologian and Reformer , Saad Michael Saad, PhD

It is undisputed that Habib Girgis (1876-1951) was the leading Coptic theologian throughout the first half of the twentieth century. Though visionary and passionate in his writings on Coptic Church reformation, no serious analysis has been published about Habib Girgis as a reformer. A critical analysis of Habib Girgis's thought reveals in it a profound conviction in the church as a living democracy. Such a belief has amazingly penetrated into the depth of his passion for the Coptic Orthodox Church to which he dedicated his whole being. In Girgis's thought, doctrine and vision, church democracy is a requirement if reformation and progress are to be achieved. In his book, Practical Means for Coptic Reformation , Cairo 1942, Girgis constructs an elaborate system of church organization, activities, government, and life. To that end, he does not consider church democracy as a modern philosophy, an imitation of Western culture, nor a product of the political democratization of Egypt. On the contrary, he regards it as an ancient tradition in the Coptic Church, a tradition that has been kept alive in the church's conscience and praxis. He goes further to ground (or found) church democracy on biblical truth, the teaching of the apostles, and the praxis of the early church. Coptic Psalmodia, Annual - TCC vol. CR2, Project Update , by Shereif Sorial The Coptic Psalmodia is one of the most important Coptic hymns collections. Some of its hymns had their roots very early in Church history. The evolution of the book seems to be mostly done in a monastic setting. In fact for the longest time, it was predominantly used in the monasteries. This project is performed using the manuscripts on microfilm available at the St. Shenouda Center for Coptic Studies. The preliminary work presented here is based only on fine of these manuscripts.

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

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