Among the Copts

by John H. Watson

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.

208 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2000

Reviews

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

While certainly written with an eye to the past (important for “a church which thinks in centuries”), I deeply appreciated the insights from recent Coptic history (ie last 50-75 years) that this author provides.

I am touched by the amazing work of the the Coptic community, despite pressure that is “daily, unrelenting and pervasive” and have greatly benefited from the work and insights of this author who (an Anglican Priest) who speaks as an outsider and admirer, though not uncritically.