Description
Book SynopsisAn authoritative account of the Coptic Papacy in Egypt from the coming of Islam to the onset of the Ottoman era, by a leading religious studies scholar, new in paperback
In Volume 1 of this series, Stephen Davis contended that the themes of “apostolicity, martyrdom, monastic patronage, and theological resistance” were determinative for the cultural construction of Egyptian church leadership in late antiquity. This second volume shows that the medieval Coptic popes (641–1517 CE) were regularly portrayed as standing in continuity with their saintly predecessors; however, at the same time, they were active in creating something new, the Coptic Orthodox Church, a community that struggled to preserve a distinctive life and witness within the new Islamic world order. Building on recent advances in the study of sources for Coptic church history, the present volume aims to show how portrayals of the medieval popes provide a window into the religious and social life of their community.
Trade ReviewPraise for The Popes of Egypt series:
“Based on serious research . . . . [shows] how the Coptic papacy has survived and served the Church through many difficult periods. In the present uncertain times its resilience will surely help it to fulfil its mission of leading the largest Church in the Middle East.”—Michael L. Fitzgerald, Proche-Orient Chretien
“Focusing on some of the most influential leaders, the books trace the social, economic, political, and religious trends they negotiated.”— Nelly van Doorn-Harder, The Montreal Review
"Essential reading for historians of ancient Christianity and for all scholars of Coptic Egypt." —David Brakke, Ohio State University on The Early Coptic Papacy
"A lucid, meticulous, and highly accessible account of papal institutions in early Egyptian Christianity. . . . A critical read for any student of Christianity in Egypt and the Middle East." —Febe Armanios, author of Coptic Christianity in Ottoman Egypt on The Early Coptic Papacy
“An excellent introduction to its subject and the relevant literature.”— Christopher van der Krogt, Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations on The Coptic Papacy in Islamic Egypt, 641–1517
"Reading this well-researched and beautifully produced book is both sobering and encouraging."— Michael L. Fitzgerald OBE, on The Coptic Papacy in Islamic Egypt, 641–1517
“A comprehensive yet very readable review of the history of the Coptic leadership in the Middle Ages.”— David D. Grafton, International Bulletin of Missionary Research, on The Coptic Papacy in Islamic Egypt, 641–1517
“Extremely useful”— Alastair Hamilton, Church History and Religious Culture on The Coptic Papacy in Islamic Egypt, 641–1517
“Magdi Guirguis is one of the very few scholars who has actually tackled the archives of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate and of the Dar al-Warth’iq al-Qawmiyya in Cairo and has consequently produced a series of excellent studies in which he breaks entirely new ground.”— Alastair Hamilton, The International Journal of Middle East Studies on The Emergence of the Modern Coptic Papacy
"Substantiates the Coptic Church as a subject in religious studies with its own history worthy of study." —Midwest Book Review
Table of ContentsEditors’ Introduction
Author’s Preface
Technical Notes
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
1. Continuity and Reinvention
Succession and Innovation
Earning the “Crown of Exile”
The Church in a “New World Order”
Relationships with Rulers
A Sacred Geography
2. Patient Sufferers
Coming to the End-Time?
Bearing Trials Patiently
The Account of John the Deacon
Patriarchs and Martyrdom
Patriarchs and Sainthood
3. Crisis of Cohesion
Satan Hinders, but God Prevails
Patriarchs and Political Authority in ‘Abbasid Egypt
Trials from Without
Trials from Within
A Crisis of Cohesion?
Hanging On
Embattled Saints
4. Saints and Sinners
Bishop Michael’s Account: Warts and All
Before the Fatimids
Simony: “The Word of God Became as a Merchandise”
Contrapuntal Saintliness
Unexpected Saintliness
Saints and Sinners
5. Transitions
Language Shift, Lay Concerns, and Ecclesiastical History
Gabriel II ibn Turayk: An Attempt at Reform
After the Reform Attempt
6. Chaos and Glory
A Strange Period
Chroniclers
The Person at the Center of the Story
1216–1217: Attempts at Making a Pope
The Monk Da’ud Becomes Pope Cyril, Successor of Saint Mark Cyril’s Patriarchate
A Failed “Great Man”? Or a Scholar among Scholars?
7. Marginalized Patriarchs
Internal Rivalry, External Interference
Scattered Portrayals, Incidental Mentions
The Patriarch at the Center of the Story
8. A Burst of Holiness
The Patriarch as Saint and Holy Man
An Orchestra of Holiness? The Principals
A Quartet and a Chorus?
9. Humility in Action
After the Fireworks
“Listless” and “Lacking in Blessing”?
Diplomacy and Faithfulness
Quiet Leadership in Difficult Times
Epilogue: Survival
Appendix: The Forty-Nine Martyrs during the Patriarchate
of Matthew I (#87, 1378 –1408)
Works Cited: Primary Sources
Works Cited: Secondary Sources
Notes
Index
