Hi!! I'm new to this site and new to Orthodoxy really. Still just seeking answers. I traveled to Egypt several times where I became interested in the Coptic Church and recently found an Orthodox church in my area. I've been to Liturgy once and I've read Pope Shenouda's book "Salvation in the Orthodox Concept". I was hoping y'all might have recommendations on other books for someone learning the details of Coptic Orthodoxy. Thanks for your help!! :)
Comments
First I would like to welcome you to the tasbeha site but foremost into our Coptic Orthodox religion. I’m glad that God showed you the way of our beloved and sacred church. You took the first steps to finding your salvation and I pray that God will take it from there and embrace you in His name always.
If you are ever "seeking" any answers to any questions please feel free to PM me and I will always try to get you any answers as fast as possible, and I could also recommend other people to you that are highly knowledgeable in our faith.
You said that you have been to an Orthodox church already; I pray that you had a great experience. I would now go to the priest of the church and tell him that you are interested in being a Copt and he will sit with you and talk with you and he will be your teacher, father, and friend throughout this process and with him by your side it will go much more accurately and he will be able to answer your questions because he would know you better then you know yourself.
Here is a link to each of the 7 Sacraments of our church:
Baptism- http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/thecopticchurch/sacraments/1_baptism.htm
Confirmation-
http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/thecopticchurch/sacraments/2_confirmation.html
Repentance and Confession-
http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/thecopticchurch/sacraments/3_repentance_confesstion.html
Eucharist-
http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/thecopticchurch/sacraments/4_eucharist.html
Unction of the sick-
http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/thecopticchurch/sacraments/5_unction_sick.html
Holy Matrimony-
http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/thecopticchurch/sacraments/6_matrimony.html
Priesthood-http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/thecopticchurch/sacraments/7_priesthood.html
I would Highly recommend books on theology, here is a link that you can go too and there you will find 4 books that you can download as you please:
http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/theology/index.html
Here’s a link to an article that our Pope Shenouda III wrote, its basically about privileges distinguishing the Coptic church from other churches around the world. You should give it a good read if you like, I personally enjoyed it and would recommend every Coptic to read it:
http://tasbeha.org/content/community/index.php?board=11;action=display;threadid=2181;start=msg33350#msg33350
I think that’s enough links for now, but if you would like more or anything on a particular topic then please let us know and we will surly love to help you during your path to our Holy church.
May God help, protect, and guide your every step according to His will always.
In His Name
Welcome to the site; we are very pleased to hear of your sincere inquiry into the Coptic Orthodox Faith. In addition to the great links already provided, I would recommend the following books for a good introductory analysis of all the general aspects of the Coptic Orthodox Church - her origins, her developement, her distinguishing attributes, her history, her theology, etc.
Fr. Tadros Malaty, The Coptic Orthodox Church as a Church of Erudition & Theology
Fr. Tadros Malaty, Introduction to the Coptic Orthodox Church, 1993
Fr. Tadros Malaty, Egypt And the History of Our Salvation, 1998
Iris Habib el Masri, The Story of the Copts
You may find some of these books online, however if not, you should find them at the Church's library or bookshop.
Peace.
~Mindy
I found most of the books that I recommended, available online; I will provide you with the links alongside the links to some other online books that you may find interesting:
Introduction to the Coptic Orthodox Church:
http://www.saint-mary.net/coptic_faith/IntroductiontotheCopticOrthodoxChurch.pdf
Story of the Copts:
http://www.copticchurch.org/Texts/Spirituals/Story of copts.pdf
Egypt and the History of our Salvation
http://www.saint-mary.net/books/Egypt and the History of our Salvation.pdf
The Coptic Orthodox Church and the Dogmas
http://www.saint-mary.net/books/dogmas.pdf
Peace.
I wish you will get all the knowledge you are seeking for, here and whenever you will get to hear and learn about the Orthodox faith. Just wanted to say ahlan wa sahlan :)
its wonderful to hear of your interest in our beautiful coptic church!!! may our lord guide you on your path to happiness :D
i just finished reading this book recently and i will say that it is filled with the spirit of our church
it is "the life of st. anthony" by st. athanasius the apostolic
http://www.lacopts.org/index.php/lacopts/entry/1199/
--CHIPSY
hope you have a welcoming time both sheperd_of_my_soul and seeking, God bless you both!
sleepy
~Mindy
ya there is a lot to learn about our church and we all never cease learning about her, she's very rich with tradition and history!
take care!
[move]TAIO[/move]