The History of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United States

From the Land of the Pharaohs to the United States of America

E. M. Gabriel

• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781098052843
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: History of Christianity

"And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.'"-Mark 16: 15

In the middle of the first century, God sent St. Mark the Evangelist to proclaim the Good News and teach the Egyptians about the true God. He became the first pope and patriarch of the See of St. Mark and the founder of the Coptic Orthodox Church. For centuries, the Coptic Church remained mostly within the boundaries of Egypt, and the majority of Copts, including the clergy, were against the idea of immigration. But there were exceptions: Pope Cyril VI, the late Bishop Samuel, and the blessed Fr. Mikhail Ibrahim supported and encouraged immigration. And in the middle of the twentieth century, the Coptic diaspora slowly began. Within the last five decades, St. Mark continued to carry the Good News through his disciples to the United States and around the world. The History of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United States tells the story of the earliest immigrants who left their beloved homeland to start a new life and establish the roots of the Coptic Orthodox Church in America. In rich detail, it pays lasting tribute to a remarkable cast of individuals, families, and servants, including:

-The first pioneers who welcomed each new immigrant as they arrived on America's shore

-The early priests who traveled tirelessly throughout the United States and Canada to minister to individuals and families in rented spaces and the domestic church

-The great popes-HH Cyril VI, HH Shenouda III, and HH Tawadros II-who provided loving guidance from Alexandria

Through the efforts of all these servants, St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Philadelphia was established as one of the first Coptic churches in the United States, along with others in New York, New Jersey, and beyond. The History of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United States recounts the celebrations, struggles, and growth of these congregations as they maintain the traditions and spirit of the Coptic Orthodox Church into the twenty-first century.

Chapter 26

HH Pope Tawadros II’s Call:
Looking to the Future

Education is the most powerful weapon we can use

to change the world.

—Nelson Mandela

The 118th pope of Alexandria is a tender, loving father guided by the spirit and adorned with extraordinary prescience and vision. His gentleness, equanimity, and benevolence are native to him. His love and compassionate work for the future of the church is truly empathetic and caring. His heart is open to others—regardless of their intentions—which enables him to face tough times with creativity and resilience. These extraordinary attributes enable him to connect with everyone from statesmen to adversarial people. In the case of the Coptic Church, we can look at his exemplary leadership and trust that he is led by divine providence. For the future of the church, we can look at his paternal leadership and sacrificial love and anticipate how the church will evolve incrementally to new heights of spiritual glory.

HH Pope Tawadros II’s Inspired Call!

Most of the pope’s audience in Canada noted with pleasure the broad positive response to his call to explore and plan the church’s education and catechism activity over the next fifty years. Thus far the church’s role has been limited to meeting the needs of the faithful, especially in lands of immigration. It is now time for the church to respond to His Holiness’s call for planning ahead through strategic, well-calculated steps into the digital age and beyond.

As the Coptic Church spreads across the globe, an extraordinary commitment to evangelization is urgently needed so that everyone can know and receive the Gospel message and thus grow “to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13) Therefore, it is strongly urged that all the venerable fathers in the episcopate and all the faithful take the opportunity to proclaim His message. This will ensure it is well received as a map for communities to rediscover the inexhaustible riches of the faith.

A Retrospective Map

As we plan a map for the next fifty years, it behooves all Copts to take a look back. Here, I will only focus on educational aspects and not be concerned so much with the vocational or professional side of the planning process. The general aim of education is obviously to train the whole person—the intellect and the will, not just the mind alone. Knowledge is in the intellect or mind; character is in the will or decision-making. Preferably, a complete education will address the whole person: body, mind, heart, and spirit.

Points of Light Mission to Inspire, Mobilize, and Take Action

When developing a successful program for children that encompasses all aspects of their religious education, the following questions need to be asked:

• How successful is the current system of religious education provided by churches, schools, and Sunday schools in shaping the body, mind, heart, and spirit of the child?
• What is the role of parents in educating their children and instructing them in the faith after baptismal instructions?
• What curriculum and criteria does the church follow for educating parents in disciplining their children and instructing them in the faith?
• What is the role of Sunday school in affirming the fundamentals of the faith and presenting lively models and exemplary teachers?
• What are the qualities, qualifications, and level of commitment of Sunday school servants compared to past generations?
• What is the level of commitment and accountability of Sunday school servants, especially in the West?
• How much do educators still lean on past liturgical practices?
• Children may be taught to pray and participate in the liturgy, but are they taught to pray in their own hearts through contemplation, emulation, and guidance?
• Children may be...

Table of contents

• Family and Clergy Opposition
• A Historical Departure
• Eva al Masri Sidhom
• CAA Response
• Gigantic Women! A Word for the New Generations of Copts
• An Eyewitness’s Input
• Worth Noting!
• A Noteworthy Doctrine
• The Summit of Success
• Incorporating St. George Coptic Orthodox Church
• Pope Shenouda III’s Congratulatory Message
• Seeking and Saving Our Souls
• Burial in St. Mark Cathedral
• St. Mena: The Pope’s Patron Saint
• Eyewitnesses to the Apparitions
• Incorporating St. Mena Church in Northeast Philadelphia
• Fr. Mousa El-Syriani (HG Bishop Athanasius of Beni Mazar)
• The Other Opinion: People’s Grievances
• Worth Noting
• A Heavenly Gift
• Voice of the Immigrant
• Discipleship
• Continued Education
• III. Establishing St. George Mission Church in South Philadelphia
• The Coptic Institute for Church Management and Advanced Learning
• Conclusion