(ESSAY) Amid the pain and suffering in the Middle East, it is good to be reminded that beautiful things also happen there. One such remembrance came on Oct. 11 with the funeral of Father Simaan Ibrahim in Muqattam, in the southeast of Cairo. It was a funeral, with much lament, but was also a joyous occasion that drew 30,000 people to worship in the of the monastery of St. Simaan the Tanner Church, which he founded and led for 50 years.
Read MoreWassim Razzouk and his sons are carrying their family’s Egyptian Coptic Christian tattooing tradition into its eighth century in Jerusalem’s Old City. ReligionUnplugged.com talked to Razzouk to learn more about his family history, the craft of tattooing, why Christian megachurch pastors and Catholic priests are coming to his shop and promoting the Razzouks on social media and how the Coptic faith propels his family business.
Read More(ANALYSIS) The religious freedom of and even the number of Christians in Egypt is highly contested, but there are a number of important reasons why the Coptic pope declines to call discrimination against Christians “persecution.” A recent webinar by In Defense of Christians discussed the topic.
Read More(COMMENTARY) Four years after 21 Christians were beheaded by ISIS in Libya, a new book, The 21: A Journey into the Land of Coptic Martyrs, explores their ancient faith.
Read More(OPINION) In Egypt alone, we have about 2 million children in Sunday School every week. In America, we also have thousands and thousands and thousands, not only for children but also for youth. And this is the strength of the church. A church without youth is a church without a future. A youth without the church, is a youth that is lost.
Read MoreChristian women in Egypt face an epidemic of kidnapping, rape, beatings and torture.
Read MoreThere have been tears, but Copts still fill their churches. "There is sadness in their hearts, but they still hold to the responsibility that God has given: We are not afraid. We love. And we ask for justice," Bishop Thomas told TMP.
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