BX136.2.W38

Includes bibliographical references (p. [159]-163) and indexes

1: Introduction: At the Sources of Christian Civilization, p. 1 2: Copt and Coptic, p. 5 3: In the State of Angels, p. 13 4: In Liturgical Time, p. 33 5: Patriarchs: Fathers of the Fathers, p. 44 6: Mission: For Africa and the World, p. 73 7: The Egyptian Church Struggle, p. 93 8: Thinking with the Church, p. 119 9: Conclusion: Era of the Martyrs, p. 142 Appendix, p. 151 A Coptic Chronology, p. 153 Further Reading, p. 156 Bibliography, p. 159 Index of Names and Subjects, p. 164 Index of Biblical References, p. 176

This book puts the reader face to face with the Christians of Eqypt by offering a comprehensive presentation of the life and thought of the Coptic Orthodox Church at the turn of the millennium. The book explores the important themes of the Copts from the earliest moments of Christian history to the present day, achieving and impressive balance between a critical re-examination of Coptic history and original research. The work contains several small biographies and numerous vignettes to illustrate the Coptic experience as it is lived. These are presented in sections on history liturgy, art, theology, monasticism, politics, mission and mrtyrdom. Controversial issues are sympathetically treated by a writer who has a deep understanding and appreciation of Coptic and Islamic culture in modern Egypt.