Diocese - Coptic Wiki

Anba Isaac, Bishop of the Fayoum, al-Bahnasa, and Giza, 1834-81

Anba Isaac, Bishop of the Fayoum, al-Bahnasa, and Giza, 1834-81 Anba Isaac, the bishop of the Fayoum, holds a unique place in the history of the Coptic Church during the mid-nineteenth century. This standing is due, in part, to his massive diocese, which included three Egyptian governorates: Giza, the Fayoum, and Beni Suef. It is …

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Christianity in Asyut in Modern History

History / By Armia FAYEZ

Christianity in Asyut in Modern History A Historical Introduction By the second half of the eighteenth century, Asyut had taken Girga’s place as the capital of Upper Egypt. With Muhammad ‘Ali’s interest in administratively organizing Egypt’s governorates, the construction of the governorate building in Asyut began in 1811. In 1822, Asyut’s population was around seventeen …

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Christianity and Monasticism in al-Bahnasa according to Arabic Sources

History / By Armia FAYEZ

Christianity and Monasticism in al-Bahnasa according to Arabic Sources LOCATED ABOUT two hundred kilometers south of Cairo on the western bank of Bahr Yusuf (literally, the Sea of Joseph, but actually a canal running off from the Nile), in Minya governorate, about sixteen kilometers northwest of the district of Bani Mazar, al-Bahnasa (Oxyrhynchos, or the …

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An Overview of Rock-cut Coptic Sites in Asyut

Places / By Armia FAYEZ

An Overview of Rock-cut Coptic Sites in Asyut Introduction This research is an attempt to provide an overview of some of the most remarkable rock-cut monasteries in Asyut Governorate. The Asyut plateau was a suitable area for monastic settlement as it is bordered on the east and the west with mountains flanking the agricultural land. …

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Two Witnesses of Christian Life in the area of Balyana: The Church of the Virgin and the Monastery of Anba Moses

Heritage / By Armia FAYEZ

Two Witnesses of Christian Life in the area of Balyana: The Church of the Virgin and the Monastery of Anba Moses[1] The town of Balyana stands on the west bank of the Nile in the Sohag governorate. I have had many opportunities to be in touch with Christian life in this area of Upper Egypt …

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Bishop

System / By Armia FAYEZ

BISHOP The Coptic term episkopos is a loan word from the Greek that can be translated bishop, overseer, superintendent, or supervisor. The Arabic usquf derives also from the Greek episkopos. According to the Didascalia, the bishop should be chosen by the congregation, and his consecration should take place on a Sunday in the presence of …

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Yusab Al-Abahh, Bishop Of Jirja And Akhmim (1735-1826)

Eminent / By Armia FAYEZ

YUSAB AL-ABAHH, BISHOP OF JIRJA AND AKHMIM (1735-1826) A Saint, bishop, theologian. Yusab was a monk of the Monastery of St. Antony who, in 1791, was consecrated Bishop of Jirja and Akhmim. As bishop he was an educator and reformer who strove to counter Catholic preaching in his double diocese. Today he is venerated as …

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Good Friday

History, Liturgy, System / By Armia FAYEZ

GOOD FRIDAY The Friday before Easter and the anniversary of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Ibn Kabar’s description of the rites of Good Friday is as follows: the prayer of the first hour is performed according to the rite of the Passover with readings from the four gospels and the prophecies, followed by sermons that …

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Athanasius, Bishop Of Abu Tij

Eminent / By Armia FAYEZ

ATHANASIUS, BISHOP OF ABU TIJ A collector, restorer, and copyist of manuscripts (d. 1819/20) This bishop, known chiefly from the history of Coptic Arabic manuscripts, must be considered a major protagonist in the early Coptic cultural awakening of modern times (19th century).1 He is to be distinguished from two other homonymous bishops of the same …

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Athanasius (1923-2000)

Eminent / By Armia FAYEZ

ATHANASIUS (1923-2000) A Bishop and educator. He was born in the city of al-Mahalla al-Kubra in the Delta. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Cairo University in 1944, and in 1952 received a diploma of psychology from the American University in Cairo. He also obtained a diploma in divinity from the Clerical …

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