Date of Award
Summer 2024
Degree Type
Restricted to Claremont Colleges Dissertation
Degree Name
Religion, PhD
Program
School of Arts and Humanities
Advisor/Supervisor/Committee Chair
Ruqayya Y. Khan
Dissertation or Thesis Committee Member
Nicola Denzey Lewis
Dissertation or Thesis Committee Member
Karen Jo. Torjesen
Dissertation or Thesis Committee Member
Gawdat Gabra
Terms of Use & License Information
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Rights Information
© 2024 Mary Ghattas
Keywords
Eastern Christianity, Egypt, History of Christianity, Middle East, Oriental Orthodoxy, Orthodox Christianity
Subject Categories
Near and Middle Eastern Studies | Religion
Abstract
The Oriental Orthodox communion of churches is bound by a common Christological confession, dating to the fifth century CE Council of Chalcedon. The Coptic, Syriac, Armenian, and Ethiopian churches demonstrate a profound sense of theological and cultural unity. This study delineates the historical underpinnings of this unity set in Egypt, illustrating how this communion contributes to the vitality of these churches amidst changing socio-political landscapes, delving into the delicate interplay between these churches and the political structures in modern Egypt. From Muhammad Ali Pasha’s rule, father of modern Egypt, which inaugurates the examination, to the challenges presented by British occupation and the emergence of the nation-state, the Oriental churches and their ecclesial communion played pivotal roles shaping the political narratives of Egypt. This study underscores the Oriental churches’ part in contributing to Egypt’s rich tapestry of religious diversity, arguing that their historical antiquity extends beyond the country, to profoundly influence the broader Middle Eastern landscape. The Oriental churches are enduringly relevant in today’s world as ecumenical pillars of faith and Eastern Christian wisdom, a connection to the early Christian world, and a modern expression of an ancient faith.
ISBN
9798384038559
Recommended Citation
Ghattas, Mary. (2024). The Oriental Orthodox Communion in Modern Egypt: The Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, and Syriac Orthodox Churches, 1805 CE- Present. CGU Theses & Dissertations, 839. https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgu_etd/839.
