Thiel Thoughts…
Recently I attended a Sunday
Holy Communion Service at an Egyptian Coptic church in Burr Ridge, a Chicago
suburb: "St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church". It was recently built, on
the crest of a hill, large and imposing. The Coptic Church is ancient, going
back to the 1st century, said to be founded by St Mark the evangelist. It
became the "official" Christian Church of Egypt under Emperor
Constantine in the 4th century, but broke away from mainstream Christianity a
century later over doctrinal issues, especially: Did Jesus Christ have 2
natures, divine and human, or only one - divine? The invasion and conquest of
Egypt by the Arab Muslim armies in the 600's resulted in Egypt becoming
essentially a Muslim country, but Christian Copts still number about 10% of the
population.
The Service lasted only 3 1/2 hours,
with two 20 minute sermons, in English and Arabic. In place of an altar rail
the Copts (and all Orthodox) have an icon screen, with doors allowing entrance
into the sanctuary. About 25 men and boys, vested as deacons, stood in front of
the screen and chanted responses while a cantor chanted voluminous prayers in
English, Coptic and Arabic. St Mark's has gone modern, with a P.A. system and
microphones, and a large screen overhead on which the prayers are presented. At
the Gospel and Offertory processions a deacon rhythmically clanged cymbals
while another hit a metal triangle with a metal stick, and a number of the
other deacons swayed slightly with the rhythm, a subtle dance. The church was
almost empty of parishioners when I arrived, but was packed to the gills in
about an hour.
Egyptians are exceptionally friendly
people, Copts and Muslims, as I know because I have visited Egypt twice. I was
greeted by a number of people during the Service, and even one of the priests
in the middle of the Liturgy walked over to me and welcomed me, as did several
deacons. The distribution of the Holy Communion was controlled confusion, or so
it seemed. (First I should explain that in all Eastern Orthodox churches not
only is Holy Communion given only to qualified Orthodox, who have fasted, etc.,
but also everyone - Orthodox or not - is welcome to eat a piece of
UNconsecrated bread from the same loaf.) At St Mark's Coptic church, at
Communion time, almost everyone got up and moved toward the sanctuary, while
the musicians clanged their cymbals and triangle, and others sang monotonous
Coptic chants, and everybody sang, greeted each other and shook hands. Not
everybody; some escaped out the front door to smoke a cigarette and meet
friends. Remember, Egyptians are warm-hearted and friendly. At this point I
departed.
I have enormous respect for the Coptic
Church for having survived and lived richly in Christ for over 1,300 years in
the midst of a 90% Muslim population. (Note the other side of the coin: For
1,300 years the Muslims have tolerated Coptic Christianity in "their"
Muslim country. Compare what went on in Christian Europe during much of that
same time, the pogroms against Jews and heretics.)
I've been told that until quite
recently all Copts had a cross tattooed on their right hand so they will be
identified by all as a Coptic Christian. No denying it. I wonder if this might
work with us Episcopalians?
FR SPENCER E. THIEL +
Father
Thiel is in the office the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month. He is also available immediately following
Mass on Sunday and Wednesday‘s, if you would like to talk with him.
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