BIBLIOGRAPHY OF ST. MARK AND HOW WAS CHRISTIANITY INTRODUCED INTO EGYPT

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF ST. MARK AND HOW WAS CHRISTIANITY INTRODUCED INTO EGYPT

The Coptic Church or the Church of Alexandria is called "See of St. Mark;" one of the earliest four sees: Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria and Rome.

HOW WAS CHRISTIANITY INTRODUCED INTO EGYPT?:

St. Mark is considered the founder of the Coptic Church.

However, evidence indicates that Christianity was introduced into Egypt before St. Mark, though undoubtedly, it must have been on a very small scale. The following are some interesting points on this subject:

1) The Book of Acts refers to the Jews of Egypt who were present at the Pentecost (Acts 2:10). Upon their return home, they must have conveyed what they saw and heard about Christ to their relatives.

2) The same book mentions an "Alexandrian Jew named Apollos" who arrived at Ephesus... He was described as an eloquent man with sound knowledge of the Holy Scriptures.

THE HOLY JOURNEY OF THE HOLY FAMILY IN EGYPT

THE HOLY JOURNEY OF THE HOLY FAMILY IN EGYPT

The important stations where the holy family took shelter are:

1. BUBASTIS HILL

The holy family left Bethlehem on its way to Egypt through Sinai. They followed the Southern Caravan way along the Mediterranean coast, passing through Gaza-Raphia

(Rafah)-Rhinocolura, (now El-Arish), and then to Ostrakini which became a diocese of Bishop Abram who joined the council of Ephesus 431 A.D

THE HOLY FAMILY IN EGYPT

THE HOLY FAMILY IN EGYPT

EGYPT IN THE HOLY BIBLE:

The Holy Bible concentrates on "Jerusalem" which means "land of peace," or "vision of peace" as the center of the promised land, where God declares His dwelling among people. And a holy temple was established in it in His Name, where people worshipped Him, offered Him sacrifices and offerings, and celebrated many feasts as a symbol of the heavenly joy. This is Jerusalem, the symbol of heaven, that is called "Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all" Gal. 4:26.

THE COPTIC CHURCH AS AN APOSTOLIC CHURCH

THE COPTIC CHURCH AS AN APOSTOLIC CHURCH

Coptic-church-Alexandria 

The term "Copts" is equivalent to the word "Egyptians."

It is derived from the Greek "Aigyptos," which in turns is derived from the ancient Egyptian "Ha-ka-Ptah," i.e. "the house of the spirit of Ptah," a most highly revered deity in Egyptian mythology. From the Arab conquest and until today, this term refers to the Christian Egyptians to distinguish them from the native Muslims. 

SONS OF PHARAOHS:

The Copts as the successors of the ancient Egyptians are defined as the modern sons of the Pharaohs. They played an essential role in the whole Christian world, especially during the first five centuries.

Their religious background helped them to accept Christianity with eagerness and to enjoy its depth through their ascetic life, meditation and studying of the holy

scripture