Coptic Culture and Community: Daily Lives, Changing Times

This volume explores the daily lives of ordinary Coptic Christians from late Antiquity to the present, providing a supplement to institutional or theological narratives. It highlights the humanity of the Coptic tradition and its vibrant communities, linking fundamental questions of socio-religious history with unique aspects of Coptic culture.

Format: Hardback
Length: 346 pages
Publication date: 16 January 2024
Publisher: American University in Cairo Press

This comprehensive volume brings together esteemed experts from diverse fields to explore various facets of the daily lives of Egypt's Coptic Christian minority, spanning from late antiquity to the present. By offering a supplementary and corrective perspective to institutional or theological narratives, which often focus on the powerholders of historical authority, this book sheds light on the humanity and experiences of the Coptic community.

Coptic Culture and Community delves into the rich tapestry of the Coptic tradition, providing a granular understanding of how Copts have lived their lives for over two thousand years, intricately woven with their faith. The first three sections examine the broad scope of daily life approaches, explore perspectives on poverty and power in diverse contexts, and address issues of identity and persecution. The final section engages with the global Coptic diaspora, fostering a dialogue between themes studied in the early Coptic Church and the unique experiences of Copts in the modern world. These broad categories serve as a bridge between fundamental questions of socio-religious history and the distinctive aspects of Coptic culture and its vibrant communities of individuals.

Contributors to this volume include:

- Nicola Aravecchia, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Mariam F. Ayad, The American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
- Renate Dekker, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Lois M. Farag, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Ihab Khalil, Coptic Museum of Canada, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
- A.D. MacDonald, Sydney, Australia
- Ash Melika, California Baptist University, Riverside, California, USA
- Samuel Moawad, Institute of Egyptology and Coptology, Münster, Germany
- Helene Moussa, Coptic Museum of .

Through their insightful contributions, these experts contribute to our understanding of the Coptic Christian minority, shedding light on their experiences, traditions, and resilience in the face of historical challenges. This book serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in exploring the diverse tapestry of Christian communities in Egypt and beyond.

Weight: 682g
Dimension: 161 x 238 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781649031822