Christianity and Monasticism in Alexandria and the Egyptian Deserts

The Catechetical School in Alexandria was a major center of biblical exegesis and theology, and St. Mark the Evangelist brought Christianity to Alexandria in the first century. Egyptian monasticism flourished in the deserts and countryside by the fourth century, and this volume examines Coptic civilization in Alexandria and its environs over the past two millennia. Contributors explore Coptic art, archaeology, architecture, language, and literature, as well as the impact of Alexandrian theology and its cultural heritage.

Format: Hardback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2020
Publisher: The American University in Cairo Press

The magnificent city of Alexandria stands as the epicenter of Egyptian Christianity, where the Catechetical School emerged in the second century and rose to prominence as a foremost institution for the study of biblical exegesis and theology. According to legend, St. Mark the Evangelist introduced Christianity to Alexandria during the middle of the first century, and he met his tragic end in that very city, which would subsequently serve as the home of Egypt's Coptic patriarchs for nearly eleven centuries. By the fourth century, Egyptian monasticism had begun to flourish in the arid landscapes of the Egyptian deserts and countryside. The contributors to this volume, esteemed international experts in Coptology hailing from diverse corners of the globe, delve into the multifaceted aspects of Coptic civilization in Alexandria and its surrounding regions, as well as in the Egyptian deserts, spanning the past two millennia. The contributions examine Coptic art, archaeology, architecture, language, and literature. They also highlight the profound impact of Alexandrian theology and its rich cultural heritage, as well as the remarkable archaeology of its esteemed university. Furthermore, the book explores Christian epigraphy in the Kharga Oasis, the art and architecture of the Bagawat cemetery, and the archaeological site of Kellis (Ismant al-Kharab), which houses invaluable Manichaean texts.

Weight: 704g
Dimension: 236 x 161 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789774169618