SSCN Voumes 1-10, 1994-2004

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

$10 for non-members) respectively. These prices are available through the Society only. 10. Among the Copts: We just received a word from Rev. Dr. John H. Watson, one of our Society's members in England, of his upcoming book, titled Among the Copts . The release date for the book is in May 2000. The following is extracted from the publisher notice that we just received: " Among the Copts brings the reader face to face with the Christians of Egypt by offering a comprehensive presentation of the life and thought of the Coptic Orthodox Church at the turn of the millennium. The book explores all important themes of the Copts from the earliest moments of Christian history to the present day, achieving an impressive balance between a critical re-examination of Coptic history and original research. The work contains several small biographies and numerous vignettes to illustrate the Coptic experience as it is lived. These are presented in sections on history, liturgy, art, theology, monasticism, politics, mission and martyrdom. Controversial issues are sympathetically treated by a writer who has deep understanding and appreciation of Coptic and Islamic culture in modern Egypt. Among the Copts portrays a community that promotes messages for the future of Christianity and mankind. The relationship between the Islamic resurgence and Christianity is today propelling the Copts to the front of the world stage." Rev. Watson was an outspoken critic of the internment of Pope Shenouda III in the monastery following the events of September 1981. And subsequently brought it forcefully and eloquently to world-wide attention. He also contributed a most insightful book on the Life of Pope Cyril VI, Pope Shenouda's predecessor. This was published through Dr. Yanney's prominent Coptic Church Review . His scholarship is well attested to and his knowledge of the present state of the Coptic Church rivals any from within or without the church. I am sure it will make an excellent contribution to our knowledge of Coptic Church history. No decision has been made yet on if or when the Society would make such work available through our network. However, the publisher, Sussex Academic Press operates an office in England and one in the US. The England Office is: Sussex Academic Press, Box 2950, Brighton BN2 5SF, UK, Fax +44(0)1273- 621262. The US office is: Sussex Academic Press c/o ISBS, 5804 NE Hassalo St., Portland, OR 97213-3644, Tel 800-944-6190, Fax 503-280-8832. The book is a hardcover volume, 229x152 mm, 208 pages, ISBN: 1-

902210-56-5, price $50 (£30) plus shipping and handling. 11. Bulletin of the Society: The publication of the fifth volume of the Annual Bulletin of the Society has been delayed, and will hopefully be ready and sent to last year's members and subscribers soon. Currently, it is in the last stages of preparation before going to print. It includes the proceedings of the first Coptic Conference held at Long Beach. Copies for sale are still available for volumes 1 through 4. For non- members, the price will be $6.00, $4.00, $5.00, and $5.00 respectively. For members needing extra copies, the prices are $5.00, $3.00, $4.00, and $4.00 respectively. 12. The Society on The Internet: We are still at the same address, "http://www.stshenouda.com". A page, describing the Coptic CD vol. 1, which include a downloadable demo is available. Recently the prestigious Britannica.com have selected our site " as one of the best on the Internet when reviewed for quality, accuracy of content, presentation and usability ." Our future plan is to make material available in Acrobat PDF. Pages, containing discussion of research on Coptic Liturgical services and an associated bibliography are available in the Coptic Liturgy Section of the Manual of Coptic Studies. Other pages planned include outlines, manuscript lists, Conference sites, and other bibliographies. The Coptic Language Section seems to be the most frequently visited part of the site. A new version of the Lessons in frame design will be available soon for the later versions of Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator which can be displayed if the Antonious Coptic fonts are installed. These are available at the Society's site. So far the site traffic has reached a total of over 53,000 hits per month. The site has regularly been accessed by users in all the States in the US as well as another 64 countries in all six continents! 13. St. Mark Foundation for Coptic History: Dr. Fawzy Estafanous of Cleveland, Ohio is continuing the colossal effort of organizing this new foundation for the detailed study of Coptic History (Church and people). He is now in the process of preparing the formal membership invitation letters. The work on the CD version of the Coptic Encyclopedia is progressing (see #17). The foundation has been gratefully granted office space in the Patriarchate by H.H. Pope Shenouda. Work is progressing on the cataloging of the manuscripts, kept at the Papal residence in Wadi' N.

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

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