Coptic culture - Ancient Egyptian Literature, Part IX

Ancient Egyptian Literature, Part IX
by Ed Rizkalla
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” Psalm 111.10
(رأس الحكمة مخافة اللة)
As the writer was a child growing up in Egypt, it was common to respectfully address a Muslim as (الشيخ) which means “Elder”, and a Copt as (المعلم), which means “Teacher”. Perhaps addressing a Copt as a “Teacher” shouldn’t come as a surprise, as some historians e.g. the Arab historian Al-Maqrizi (1) noted that the Copts were in fact (اهل علم) people of knowledge. Likewise, Coptic businessmen or employees were known to be (حقانين) which means people who conduct their business with diligence and strive for perfection and excellence. In prior articles of this series, the writer explored several examples from ancient Egyptian literature to help shed light on several Coptic cultural attributes, norms, and values. In this posting, the writer, with the grace of Christ the Lord, will present another example of ancient Egyptian literature, the “Satirical Letter of Papyrus Anastasi I“, to shed light on two Coptic cultural attributes 1) the respect for education, knowledge, and love of wisdom, and more specifically on their predisposition to strive for excellence, and 2) the joy of life.

See full article via U.S. Copts association - http://copts.com/english1/index.php/2009/01/21/coptic-culture-17/

New Coptic Newsletter on the horizon

Coming soon - to a home near you!

All being well - inshallah - in the coming weeks I hope to organise a new online version of a Coptic newsletter - bringing news, views from around the Coptic world - including;
Coptic culture - archaeology - history art and architecture.
I also hope to bring news from the monasteries - recent conservation work and news etc

All contributions in the form of news, articles and photographs are welcome.
Please email me direct to;
howardmj@yahoo.com

More information as and when this develops

Dr Gawdat Gabra interview

While you are waiting eagerly for Coptic news from around the world, don't forget I have two interviews for you to watch - one interview I had with the Archbishop of Canterbury on the Desert Fathers, and a more recent interview with myself and the reknowned Coptologist Dr Gawdat Gabra.
Go to our website and click on the releative photographs for each interview
http://www.ambilacuk.com/coptic/

Enjoy..

Coptic Church to Nominate Pope Shenouda for Nobel Peace Prize

By Amr Bayoumi 13/ 1/ 2009
The Egyptian Orthodox Church welcomed a proposal by the expatriate Copts to nominate Pope Shenouda III for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Yet the Secular Copts Front said it would be difficult due to the political inclinations that determine who would get the prize.Bishop of Helwan and Maasara Rev. Basenti said Pope Shenouda has contributed to peace in Egypt, the Middle East and the whole world, stressing that the Pope is quite qualified for the prize and that he received honorary doctorate degrees for peace from many universities around the world.�He said the Holy Synod did not discuss the proposal with the Pope, but all its members are for it.

Read full article here;
http://copts.com/english1/index.php/2009/01/13/coptic-church-to-nominate-pope-shenouda-for-nobel-peace-prize/

Happy Coptic Christmas

To all of you in Egypt and those following the Coptic tradition around the world, may I offer you all a Happy Coptic Christmas for January 7th - you may now prepare for having a good feed!

The midnight mass will be held at St. Mark's Cathedral Abyssia Cairo Wednesday 7th January
Enjoy!

Coptic Christmas

Just a reminder to all readers that the Coptic Christmas falls on January 7th - May you all have a peaceful and healthy one