0 commentsCreated on 22 Feb. 2012 04:23:50 PM
CHICAGO (CBS) – The fall of dictator Hosni Mubarak meant freedom for many Egyptians, but not for the nation’s Christian minority. It’s estimated more than 100,000 Christians fled the increased oppression in Egypt after Mubarak was ousted.
CBS 2′s Derrick Blakley talked with newly-arrived Egyptian Christians who are now making Chicago their home.
Maged Daniel, his wife Marian, and their two children fled Egypt for Chicago last October. That was eight months after Mubarak stepped down, and attacks against Christians increased.
“Post-Mubarak, the increase in kidnapping of girls, the increase in abuse of Christians, has increased dramatically,” Maged said through a translator. “The fanatics have come out more.”
The Daniels are members of the Coptic Orthodox Church, one of the oldest Christian churches on Earth.
Copts always felt discrimination in Egypt, but when Mubarak fell, so did the force that kept the most radical Muslim forces in check.
Egyptian Christian Emad Eskarous said the revolution made things worse for the Copts.
Eskarous came to Chicago three years ago; but his wife, Mary, and their two children have been here less than a month.
“The jihadists that were imprisoned were released from prison. The Taliban that was overseas has now made Egypt one of its homes,” he said through a translator. “All of the parliament has been taken by the Muslim Brotherhood. And, so, it’s evident that crimes against Copts have increased.”
The transition to America isn’t easy. Esakrous is a delivery driver. Maged Daniel does occasional construction work. Both struggle to speak and understand English, but they’re thrilled to be here.
“There is democracy, there is freedom, and there is respect for all human beings,” Daniel said.
Many newly-arrived Coptic Christians are afraid to speak out against the persecution in Egypt, worried about possible reprisals against their families.
And the Coptic clergy is prohibited from commenting on political matters, again, partially out of concern that protests could bring retribution against the church in Egypt.
0 commentsCreated on 21 Feb. 2012 11:54:15 AM
A group of approximately 35 third, fourth, and fifth graders, accompanied by some parents and Sunday School teachers from the St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church of Holmdel, made their way up to the Alpine Mountain ski resort in the Poconos Saturday.
The two hour ride, filled with laughter, games, and spiritual songs, started after their Saturday morning Liturgy. On the agenda for the day was hours of snow tubing followed by a large pizza party for the children.
As the Coptic Orthodox Christians were preparing for the Great Lent fast, which began on Monday, this trip was an annual snow tubing trip for the young elementary school children. The children and parishioners of St. Mina’s Coptic Orthodox Church are currently on their spiritual journey through Great Lent which leads to the Feast of the Resurrection on Sunday, April 15th. The children are now looking forward to the journey through Great Lent which will be followed by a spring retreat as well as other similar activities.
1 commentCreated on 20 Feb. 2012 06:58:26 PM
The Coptic Orthodox Church has launched a new ministry in the City of London.
The St Paul Ministry, launched by the Church's leader Bishop Angaelos, will offer an English language service in the beautiful St Mary-le-Bow church in the heart of the financial district.
The first service will take place on March 4 at 10am and, although in English, will maintain the traditional Coptic spirituality and hymnology.
The monthly services will be followed by a fellowship meal, contemporary Bible study, and discussion time.
The Church said the ministry's aim was to make the ancient apostolic faith "practical, reachable and tangible within a Western context".
Bishop Angaelos said it was a new and exciting ministry for the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom.
"It follows the ethos that has been at its core for centuries, introducing people to our Lord Jesus Christ through the lived perspective of the Church in a real and relevant way," he said.
"The words of Acts 2:42 have always been especially pertinent to me, and it is exciting to see them presented in a fresh 21st century expression.”