Posted on 02/04/2007 3:54:20 PM PST by rightwingintelligentsia
Several hundred worshippers from Western Pennsylvania and surrounding states watched Friday as Coptic Christianity's spiritual leader consecrated the region's only Coptic church in a rite dating from the 1st century. Pope Shenouda III conducted a ceremony filled with pomp, as well as a very personal touch, at St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church in Ambridge, Beaver County.
The 83-year-old pope, who arrived in Pittsburgh on Thursday night, is beloved by followers for his warmth and for his success in expanding the church.
When he became the patriarch in Alexandria, Egypt -- the center of the Coptic faith -- in 1971, the church had only four parishes in North America and one in Europe. Today, more than 450 exist, more than 200 in North America alone.
(Excerpt) Read more at pittsburghlive.com ...
Beautiful. Thank you.
When he became the patriarch in Alexandria, Egypt -- the center of the Coptic faith -- in 1971, the church had only four parishes in North America and one in Europe. Today, more than 450 exist, more than 200 in North America alone.
Immigrant church? I'm guessing those numbers mean that it's not just the Muslim "Turks" that are moving into the West for jobs, but middle easterners in general.
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