Christianity in Egypt

• 16 / 5 / 2023

Christianity in Egypt: A Legacy of Faith, Struggle, and Resilience

Christianity has existed in Egypt for almost two thousand years through its extant and nourished history. The Christian community within Egyptian territory, along with its Coptic Orthodox Church, has maintained a critical religious, cultural, and social influence from Alexandria's birth to its survival as a minority faith among a Muslim-majority nation. This research examines how Christianity evolved from its start in Egypt into the contemporary situation of the faith in the country.

Origins and Early Development

The first century AD marked the coming of Christianity to Egypt through the evangelist mission of Saint Mark the Evangelist, who was one of the gospel writers. The Coptic Orthodox Church emerged through the founding efforts of Saint Mark, who became the first bishop of Alexandria, thus establishing one of the oldest Christian communities in existence today.

Christian intellectual study and theological research established Alexandria as a leading educational centre during the second century. The Evangelical School of Alexandria achieved fame through its development of theologians such as Clement of Alexandria and Origen, whose Bible interpretation and philosophical and theological work earned considerable value.

The fourth century marked the complete dominance of Christianity in the Egyptian region after its fast growth throughout the territory. The Egyptian Christian community developed its distinct religious heritage through Coptic linguistic practices with Greek script while following different religious traditions and strengthening their monastic practices.

The Rise of Monasticism

Throughout history, Egypt has received recognition as the initial birthplace of the Christian monastic establishment. Monastic communities developed in the Egyptian desert when Saint Anthony the Great, together with Saint Pachomius and Saint Macarius of Egypt, established communities during the third and fourth centuries. Through their teachings, these desert monks helped activate monastic communities in Egypt, which spread internationally across Christian territories.

Monasteries served as institutional centres that combined religious spirituality with education and anti-persecution activities when Christians faced persecution. Visitors from throughout the world continue to visit both Wadi El Natrun and Mount Qalamoun despite these monastic communities being among the most ancient in existence.

Christianity Under Roman and Byzantine Rule

Through the Roman Empire period, Egyptian Christians, along with all Christian communities, endured sporadic persecutions. During the rule of Decius and Diocletian, numerous Christians lost their lives through martyrdom, while Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Mina died as martyrs. The Coptic calendar sets its start point in AD 284 because Diocletian began his rule then, which Christians refer to as the "Era of the Martyrs."

Christianity received legal status when the Edict of Milan was issued in AD 313, which led to the Roman Empire turning towards Christianity as its official religion. Theological differences between Christians swiftly started to form. According to the 451 AD Council of Chalcedon, Christ possesses divine and human natures, yet many Egyptian Christians defended the unified nature of Christ through Miaphysitism.

The creation of separate religious institutions under the Coptic Orthodox Church resulted in a complete ecclesiastic split from the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. Byzantine rulers discriminated against and suppressed the Copts because they refused to accept the same theological beliefs.

The Islamic Conquest and Life Under Muslim Rule

Arab Muslim soldiers under the command of Amr ibn al-As defeated Egypt so that it became part of Islamic territory in 641 AD. Under Muslim rule in the early days, Copts maintained freedom to practice their religion, yet they needed to pay the jizya tax as non-Muslim subjects. Through time, Christian communities in Egypt received increasing limitations along with treatment based on discrimination and suffered periodic religious persecution.

Despite all obstacles, the Coptic Church established a spiritual centre that prospered. As the spiritual leader of the Copts, the Pope of Alexandria kept substantial influence while the church upheld its theological legacy along with its liturgical heritage.

People in the Coptic community progressively embraced Islamic beliefs because of financial and society-related pressures throughout the centuries. During the final stages of the medieval era, Egyptians identified as Christians at a level below the majority.

Christianity in Modern Egypt

19th and Early 20th Century

Copts began to receive rights back as well as gain greater access to participate in public life during the 19th century when Egypt was ruled by Muhammad Ali Pasha and his successors. Modern educational institutions, combined with greater European influence, conducted a renewal process for the Coptic community. The twentieth century brought forth Coptic people who held important educational roles while becoming intellectuals and business professionals.

In the middle years of the twentieth century, the Coptic Orthodox Church experienced an intense religious renaissance, which led to increased participation in monasticism and theological research as well as youth group activities. The revival of the Coptic community experienced essential support from religious figures like Pope Cyril VI and Pope Shenouda III.

Coptic Catholic and Protestant Communities

Three main religious groups exist within Egypt alongside the Coptic Orthodox Church: the Coptic Catholic Church, together with the Protestant (Evangelical) denominations. The Coptic Catholic Church preserves its Coptic heritage while receiving its direction from the Pope, who exercises authority over the church.  

Christian churches of Protestant background maintain smaller active membership numbers following their origin as missionary establishments in Egypt during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Challenges Faced by Christians in Contemporary Egypt

Christians, who comprise an estimated 10-15% of Egypt’s population (though official figures are often disputed), continue to face significant challenges:

Social problems

Coptic Christians stand at low levels in all major branches of government, including political institutions, along with security forces and university faculties. The recent government appointments of Christian governors and parliamentary members have failed to address the enduring institutional bias faced by Christians.

The Resilience and Role of the Coptic Church

Against all challenges, the Coptic Orthodox Church maintains its status as a vital religious foundation for Egyptian Christians. Presently, Pope Tawadros II maintains his efforts to enhance discussions between different faiths and his contacts with Egyptian authorities as well as Christian institutions worldwide.

Together with its education institutions, healthcare facilities, charitable organizations, and community improvement programs, the church implements social services. Current Coptic religious ceremonies are active, while their parishioners show consistent devotion to their church services.

Interfaith Relations

Under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Egypt has intensified initiatives for Muslim-Christian harmony through his symbolic actions that include his presence at the Coptic Cathedral Christmas Mass. Complete interfaith harmony continues evolving as people at a grassroots level and through legal reforms need to work together to establish fair equality.

Christianity's survival in Egypt depends on two main factors: first, the power of believers, and second, the efforts of society members to embrace pluralism and foster tolerance and pursue justice. Christian monasticism emerged in this land, which welcomed martyrs who lost their lives, and the faith continues to glow with strength.