The Emergence of the Modern Coptic Papacy: The Popes of Egypt, Volume 3

The third and final volume of The Popes of Egypt series covers the five centuries from the arrival of the Ottomans in 1517 to the present era, reconstructing the authority of the popes and the organization of the Coptic community. It reveals that the popes held complete authority community during the Ottoman rule, but gradually took over their role with the rise of Coptic notables. Nelly van Doorn-Harder analyzes how the Coptic popes' leadership style changed drastically with the dawning of the modern era, leading to a virtual renaissance and expansion of the Coptic Church into the twenty-first century.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 06 September 2022
Publisher: American University in Cairo Press

The Coptic Papacy, a captivating historical journey from the Ottoman era to the present day, is now available in paperback format. This third and final installment of The Popes of Egypt series delves into a span of five centuries, from the arrival of the Ottomans in 1517 to the contemporary era. Regrettably, scholarly research on the Copts during the Ottoman period remains limited. However, Magdi Guirguis has undertaken a remarkable endeavor to reconstruct the authority and organization of the Coptic community during this era. Through meticulous analysis of court, financial, and building records, as well as archives from the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate and monasteries, Guirguis sheds light on the pivotal role of the popes during the Ottoman rule. He reveals that the popes initially held absolute authority over their flock, presiding over a wide range of matters, including marriage, concubines, and civil disputes.

As the fortunes of Coptic notables flourished, they gradually assumed the role of the popes, and it was not until the time of Muhammad Ali that the popes reclaimed their former authority.

In the second part of the book, Nelly van Doorn-Harder delves into the profound transformation that the Coptic Papacy underwent with the dawning of the modern era in the nineteenth century. As Egypt's social, political, and religious landscape underwent seismic shifts, the Coptic Church experienced a remarkable renaissance, expanding from a local to a global institution. Van Doorn-Harder also addresses the political, religious, and cultural challenges that the patriarchs faced as they led the Coptic community into the twenty-first century.

This comprehensive and insightful work offers a valuable perspective on the Coptic Papacy, shedding light on its historical development and its enduring significance in the broader context of Egyptian history.

Weight: 418g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781649032454