Roshdy
is a devout Christian & leader of his church, he proudly displays the picture of the current leader of the Coptic Christians in Luxor, Bishop Amounus
in his home & shops. A display of your believes are common in Egypt. The
Christians & Muslims are practising a peaceful cooperation at the moment, it has
not always been like that. Over the 1999-2000 new eves evening there was a
dreadful conflagration between the two religions on a village called El Kousheh
where many died.
An explanation from a Coptic Christian site: The word Copt is derived from the Greek word Aigyptos, which was, in turn, derived from "Hikaptah", one of the names for Memphis, the first capital of Ancient Egypt. The modern use of the term "Coptic" describes Egyptian Christians, as well as the last stage of the ancient Egyptian language script. Also, it describes the distinctive art and architecture that developed as an early expression of the new faith.
The Coptic Church is based on the teachings of Saint Mark who brought Christianity to Egypt during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero in the first century, a dozen of years after the Lord's ascension. He was one of the four evangelists and the one who wrote the oldest canonical gospel. Christianity spread throughout Egypt within half a century of Saint Mark's arrival in Alexandria as is clear from the New Testament writings found in Bahnasa, in Middle Egypt, which date around the year 200 A.D., and a fragment of the Gospel of Saint John, written using the Coptic language, which was found in Upper Egypt and can be dated to the first half of the second century. The Coptic Church, which is now more than nineteen centuries old, was the subject of many prophecies in the Old Testament. Isaiah the prophet, in Chapter 19, Verse 19 says "In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border."
I
was lucky enough to be across, in Egypt, over the period of Easter. The
Christian families of Luxor certainly witnessed Palm Sunday in huge numbers.
They packed the Church & court yard with such friendly people, as they attending
the Cathedral in the centre of the city. Everyone was making so a huge selection
of items out of the palm leaf that I understood were to be given away as gifts.
I was certainly offered a lot!
I was the lone photographer amongst, that seemed thousands of men, women & children. As is usual in Egypt, I was treated like a long lost brother and made instant friends. You don't stay alone too long here!
The Cathedral has two huge spires standing proud against a skyline that is filled with minarets.
Another quote from the Coptic site:
Despite persecution, the Coptic Church as a religious institution has never been
controlled or allowed itself to control the governments in Egypt. This long-held
position of the Church concerning the separation between State and Religion
stems from the words of the Lord Jesus Christ himself, when he asked his
followers
to
submit to their rulers: "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are
Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." [Mathew 22:21]. The Coptic
Church has never forcefully resisted authorities or invaders and was never
allied with any powers, for the words of the Lord Jesus Christ are clear: "Put
your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword."
(Mathew 26:52). The miraculous survival of the Coptic Church till this day and
age is a living proof of the validity and wisdom of these teachings.
Here is a link to the Coptic Church of Egypt.