Coptic Orthodox : The Rise Part 1
Now, ready for a history lesson?!?! Cause I'm not. This is going to be interesting and long....so so very long if I do a thorough job.
Since there is a lot of history to cover, I'm going to break it up into three section/ entries: Beginning (The Rise), Co-existence, and Modern Times.
THE BEGINNING
When we think of Ancient Egypt, the first thing that comes to mind to many are the pyramids, the sphinx, pharaohs and the Elizabeth Taylor movie titled "Cleopatra" or the Mummy movies staring The Rock. (Depending on how old/ or nostalgic you are to old Hollywood) What many fail to see are all the moments inbetween that have lead Egypt to its current state today; a country stricken with much turmoil in regards to religion and politics.
One can NEVER say that the Egyptians lack passion. I hope you all agree by the time we're done exploring the history of the Coptic Christians.
At the beginning when St. Mark brought Christianity into Egypt (Alexandria) in the middle of the 1st century (42 AD), it was the time of the Roman Rule. The Romans took over Egypt and added this province to their empire in 30 BC when Marc Antony and Cleopatra were defeated at the Battle of Actium.
St. Mark set up the Catechetical School of Alexandria in 190 AD. This school allowed the Egyptian people the means of learning Christianity, sciences, math, and humanities. It was the cradle that nurtured many leaders in early Coptic Christian Theology.
At this time when Christianity was starting, a majority of the population still practiced the old religion of worshiping multiple Egyptian Gods. This religion was very influential that even the Romans adapted a lot of these practices such as making portraits of the dead. This was not the first time that the Romans did this; the Greeks once conquered had all their gods stolen and renamed with Romans names and given minor tweaks to their powers.
So naturally Christianity would be welcomed, right? No! That was not the case; the practices of worshipping just one god was too different for the Romans and Egyptians. This prompt persecution towards Christian converts and made them unfavorable in public.
The persecution reached its height when Emperor Diocletian was convinced by his counsel in 302 AD that in order to appease the gods, Christians must be wiped out all together. This is known in history as the Great Persecution. During this time, churches and scripture were burnt at the Emperor's demand. However, eventually due to the apathy of those still following the old religion this purge declined in addition to many Christians being able to escape. This genocide ended in 311 when the emperor basically just gave up because they were unable to make Christians go back to the old religion.
Eventually, Emperor Constantine came into power and was able to undo the pass edicts of Diocletians. He wrote a new one called Edict of Milan in 313 which enabled Christians to freely and openly practice their religion. Yes, this is the same Emperor I was talking about before. The first Christian Roman Emperor. Under his reign, Christianity as a whole flourished.
Then at the beginning of the 4th century, the GREAT question arose about Christ's Nature.
AND this is where I leave you all because I'm starting to get distracted by the Christmas lights on my wall. Lol.
NEXT: I will finish discussing the rise of Coptic Orthodox till the Byzantine Empire.
Many Blessings.
Linda
P.S. Sorry for the history lesson. I feel that in order to understand the Coptic religion, you must know its earliest beginnings to appreciate the practices that are unique to this denomination of Christianity.
PHOTO: Marc Antony and Cleopatra are romanticized so its only fair to abide. :)
Since there is a lot of history to cover, I'm going to break it up into three section/ entries: Beginning (The Rise), Co-existence, and Modern Times.
THE BEGINNING
When we think of Ancient Egypt, the first thing that comes to mind to many are the pyramids, the sphinx, pharaohs and the Elizabeth Taylor movie titled "Cleopatra" or the Mummy movies staring The Rock. (Depending on how old/ or nostalgic you are to old Hollywood) What many fail to see are all the moments inbetween that have lead Egypt to its current state today; a country stricken with much turmoil in regards to religion and politics.
One can NEVER say that the Egyptians lack passion. I hope you all agree by the time we're done exploring the history of the Coptic Christians.
At the beginning when St. Mark brought Christianity into Egypt (Alexandria) in the middle of the 1st century (42 AD), it was the time of the Roman Rule. The Romans took over Egypt and added this province to their empire in 30 BC when Marc Antony and Cleopatra were defeated at the Battle of Actium.
St. Mark set up the Catechetical School of Alexandria in 190 AD. This school allowed the Egyptian people the means of learning Christianity, sciences, math, and humanities. It was the cradle that nurtured many leaders in early Coptic Christian Theology.
At this time when Christianity was starting, a majority of the population still practiced the old religion of worshiping multiple Egyptian Gods. This religion was very influential that even the Romans adapted a lot of these practices such as making portraits of the dead. This was not the first time that the Romans did this; the Greeks once conquered had all their gods stolen and renamed with Romans names and given minor tweaks to their powers.
So naturally Christianity would be welcomed, right? No! That was not the case; the practices of worshipping just one god was too different for the Romans and Egyptians. This prompt persecution towards Christian converts and made them unfavorable in public.
The persecution reached its height when Emperor Diocletian was convinced by his counsel in 302 AD that in order to appease the gods, Christians must be wiped out all together. This is known in history as the Great Persecution. During this time, churches and scripture were burnt at the Emperor's demand. However, eventually due to the apathy of those still following the old religion this purge declined in addition to many Christians being able to escape. This genocide ended in 311 when the emperor basically just gave up because they were unable to make Christians go back to the old religion.
Eventually, Emperor Constantine came into power and was able to undo the pass edicts of Diocletians. He wrote a new one called Edict of Milan in 313 which enabled Christians to freely and openly practice their religion. Yes, this is the same Emperor I was talking about before. The first Christian Roman Emperor. Under his reign, Christianity as a whole flourished.
Then at the beginning of the 4th century, the GREAT question arose about Christ's Nature.
AND this is where I leave you all because I'm starting to get distracted by the Christmas lights on my wall. Lol.
NEXT: I will finish discussing the rise of Coptic Orthodox till the Byzantine Empire.
Many Blessings.
Linda
P.S. Sorry for the history lesson. I feel that in order to understand the Coptic religion, you must know its earliest beginnings to appreciate the practices that are unique to this denomination of Christianity.
PHOTO: Marc Antony and Cleopatra are romanticized so its only fair to abide. :)
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