Ecumenism in 18th Century Egypt: Mas'ad Nashw and the Copts

 

The descendent of an old Coptic family who at some point had settled in Damascus and converted to Chalcedonian Orthodoxy, the priest Masʿad Nashw first came to prominence in the circle of Arabic-speaking intellectuals in the entourage of the Patriarch Sylvester of Antioch. In 1744, he arrived in Egypt where he became oikonomos of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, managing the small church's day-to-day affairs during the frequent absences of the patriarch.

 

The Orthodox of Egypt were subject to the same intense pressures from Latin missionaries as their brethren in Syria, so in order to protect his flock, Masʿad wrote a large number of apologetic treatises and addressed pastoral issues caused by the missionaries in his impressive homiletic corpus. He also worked closely with the Greek theologian Eustratios Argenti, translating some of his works into Arabic, which Sylvester then printed in Wallachia.

 

In contrast to his strident opposition to the missionaries, who posed an acute existential threat to his flock, Mas'ad takes a very nuanced but sympathetic attitude toward the Copts. This is expressed in detail in a letter he wrote to one of his parishioners who asked him to explain the difference between the two communities, which, as he says, "on the one hand isn't anything at all, but on the other hand is very great..."

 

This article presents Mas'ad's previously-unpublished letter for the first time in an English translation.

Read it here. 

Fr Alexander Treiger: Patriarch Athanasius III of Alexandria's Arabic Encyclical Epistle (ca. 1300 AD)

Alexander Treiger, "Patriarch Athanasius III of Alexandria's Arabic Encyclical Epistle (ca. 1300 AD)," The Historical Reporter 53 (2025), 344-359.

Abstract:

The article presents, for the first time, an Arabic encyclical epistle by the Melkite Orthodox patriarch of Alexandria Athanasius III (sed. ca. 1275--ca. 1315), written during his exile in Constantinople. It is preserved in the unicum 14th century manuscript Sinai ar. 451 and is addressed to Athanasius III's locum tenens archbishop Peter (otherwise unknown). In this epistle, Patriarch Athanasius shares his views on the proper order of church life and seeks to correct certain problematic practices that had become widespread among Orthodox Christians in Egypt. Patriarch Athanasius' recommendations include the following: the liturgy is to be celebrated at the third hour (9am in modern time-reckoning), the antidoron should be handled in a proper fashion, hot water must be added into the chalice towards the end of the liturgy, it is forbidden to rent candles for use at the church or to use oil from the church lamps for worldly purposes, and some others. The epistle sheds light on both day-today life and liturgical practices of the Egyptian Melkites, on the progressive Byzantinization of their church services, and on their struggles under Mamlūk rule; it adds important details to the portrait of this outstanding Alexandrian hierarch. If earlier we knew him only as a church official of the era of Emperors Michael VIII and Andronicus II Palaiologos, as the author of an epistle to the Russian Church, and as a bibliophile, the epistle published herein allows us to see him as a pastor caring for his flock. The article includes a critical edition and English translation of this important treatise. 

 

Download the article here. 

Fr Alexander Treiger: Canonical Responses of the Patriarch Mark III of Alexandria

This article appears in Chronos 41 (2020), 1-35. Mark III is otherwise known for his having visited Constantinople, where he submitted 40 canonical questions that were answered by the titular Patriarch of Antioch, Theodore Balsamon. Those questions and answers have been translated by Fr Patrick Viscuso and published under the title Guide for a Church under Islam (reviewed here).

Unpublished Texts from the Arab Orthodox Tradition (4): Canonical Responses of the Patriarch Mark III of Alexandria to the Abbot George of Damietta

Abstract:

The fourth installment in the "Unpublished Texts from the Arab Orthodox Tradition" series makes accessible a neglected document from the Orthodox Christian tradition in Arabic: canonical responses of the Chalcedonian Orthodox patriarch Mark III of Alexandria (r. ca. 1180-ca. 1209) to his spiritual son George, the abbot of the monastery of St. Jeremiah near Damietta. The article includes an edition and an English translation of this text.

Read and download the entire article here.

Orthodox Patriarchs and Pope Francis make and Appeal for Peace

This is the English text provided by the Patriarchate of Antioch, from here.

Published below is the text of the peacemaking appeal, which was agreed upon during a telephone conversation between Pope Francis of Rome and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on April 14, 2018.

The text was signed by His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa, His Beatitude Patriarch John X of the Great Antioch and All the East, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, His Holiness Tawadros II the Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark in All Africa and the Middle East, and His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II of Antioch and All the East.

Joint Statement

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God (Mt 5:9)

Impelled by a sense of responsibility for the millions of Christians that God has entrusted to our spiritual care and for the wellbeing of the entire human family, which shares a common destiny, we join together to speak out at this time of heightened international tension.

The ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, which in recent years have brought immense suffering, claimed the lives of many thousands of people and caused the flight of millions of refugees, now threaten to turn into a global conflict.

Our world has reached a point where there is a real danger of a breakdown in international relations and cooperation for the common good of the human family.

Clearly, the horrors of the world wars of the last century can hardly be compared with the dire consequences of a world war at the present time.

In the face of this terrible threat, we appeal to all world leaders to recognize their responsibility before their respective nations, before mankind and before God.

We likewise appeal to the countries of the United Nations, and particularly members of the Security Council, to recall their duties towards the family of nations, and we implore them, in the name of God, to overcome their disagreements and to work together for peace in the world.

Together we call upon the political leaders to avoid a further escalation of tensions, to eschew confrontation and to embrace dialogue.

Downloadable Dissertation on Ottoman Relations with the Arab Orthodox Patriarchates

Relations between the Ottoman central administration and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchates of Antioch, Jerusalem, and Alexandria: 16th-18th centuries

Çolak, Hasan (2013)
Ph.D. thesis, University of Birmingham

This dissertation is of very high interest because it is, to my knowledge, the only treatment of the subject by an Ottomanist, using Ottoman archives. It does much to dispel the idea that the Ottoman government treated these patriarchates as totally under the authority of Constantinople....


Abstract: This dissertation seeks to understand the relations between the Ottoman central administration and the Eastern Patriarchates. Against the current literature submitting these patriarchates to the authority of the Constantinopolitan patriarchs in the period following the Ottoman conquest, we suggest that such exclusive focus on the role of the Constantinopolitan Patriarchate prevents one from seeing the true networks of power in which the Eastern Patriarchates were engaged. To that end, in addition to the major patriarchal and missionary sources a large corpus of unpublished and unused Ottoman archival documentation has been consulted. During the first centuries of the Ottoman rule the Eastern Patriarchs benefited largely from the local Ottoman legal and administrative bodies, semi-autonomous provincial rulers, and foreign courts. In early 18th century, alongside the rise of Catholic missions among the Orthodox flock and hierarchy, and of a wealthy and powerful lay class supported by the central administration, a patriarchal elite class with close affinities to Istanbul began to interact with the Eastern Patriarchates. Getting closer to the offers of the central administration, in both administrative and economic terms, these patriarchates’ relations which were formerly dependent on local and foreign dynamics were largely replaced by the new networks supported by the central administration.

The Patriarch of Alexandria and the Archbishop of Cyrpus Visit Balamand

Arabic original, with pictures, here.


In support and solidarity with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch of the Church of Alexandria and All Africa Kyrios Kyrios Theodoros II and His Beatitude Archbishop of Cyprus Kyrios Kyrios Christophoros made a visit to Balamand Monastery, the University, and the Saint John of Damascus Theological Institute, in the company of His Beatitude our father Patriarch John X.

Their Beatitudes blessed the breakfast table by their presence with the students, stressing their joy in taking part in the Institute's daily program. His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros gave a small speech in which he expressed the importance of the Theological Institute's role in producing a zealous generation of youth, recalling the role of Patriarch Ignatius of thrice-blessed memory in this work. Afterwards, they visited the monastery, the Saint Joseph of Damascus Center for Manuscript Preservation, and the University.

The Saint John of Damascus Theological Institute had the joy of meeting with the honored guests when the Institute's administration, professors, and students welcomed Their Beatitudes with hymns of the Resurrection. Then there was a meeting with the professors of the Institute, during which the Institute's dean, Bishop Ghattas Hazim, offered gifts to the honored guests. Then there was a meeting with the professors and students of the Institute, where His Beatitude John X welcomed the honored guests, after which His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros gave a speech in which he talked about the Church of Alexandria from a historical perspective and about her missionary role in Africa. He likewise emphasized the importance of the bond between sister churches, quoting the Archbishop of Cyprus' words that the Antiochian Church is considered the spiritual mother of the Church of Cyprus. After that, the Archbishop of Cyrpus gave a speech in which he affirmed the Orthodox Churches' solidarity among themselves and especially with the Church of Antioch, during the current circumstances that she is experiencing. He expressed his strong denunciation of the kidnapping of the two bishops in Aleppo. His Beatitude announced the Church of Cyprus' intent to open a theological institute following the example of Balamand, given the Antiochian Institute's pioneering role in the Orthodox world.

At the end of the meeting, the Institute's choir chanted hymns and prayers for His Beatitude the Patriarch of Alexandria who blessed them with his presence.

Balamand
June 6, 2013

Attempt to Assassinate Greek Priest in Libya

Greek original here.

Members of the Greek Orthodox community of Tripoli [Libya] are intensely troubled and saddened  by the recent attack against the church and against our priest, Fr. Joachim Vasilakou, Vicar General of our Holy Metropolis.

On Wednesday, May 2, between 9:00 and 9:30 AM, when Fr. Joachim was entering the Church of St. George and was within the church's courtyard, a fanatic Muslim "brother"-- probably a foreigner and not a Libyan national-- fired a Kalashnikov at the priest from a building adjacent to the church.

The bullet struck ten centimeters in front of Fr. Joachim's feet, lodging itself in the floor.

He immediately informed the president of the Greek community and the Ambassador of Cyprus, who immediately rushed to the Greek Charge d'Affaires in Tripoli. At the same time, in cooperation with Libyan friends of the community, the head of security for the Old City was contacted. He rushed to the church and made an investigation, finding with his own eyes that the bullet was not accidentally fired, but was rather an assassination attempt. 

Both the Cypriot and Greek embassies made strong protests to the Libyan government and the Greek embassy has requested police protection for the Greek Orthodox Church, the only one in Libya and surrounding cities.

On Friday, the Divine Liturgy was held and all the Greek community prayed for peace in our region and throughout the world, asking our patron saint, Saint George, to protect the church and our community.

The Ambasador of Cyprus, Pericles Stoibaros, the Greek Charge d'Affaires, Ioannis Mitzalis, President of the Greek Community in Tripoli, Dimitrios Anastasiou, and other figures in our community were present.

Thus they expressed their sympathy and support for our Holy Metropolis, to Metropolitan Theophilaktos, and to Father Joachim.

President of Tunisia Visits Orthodox Church

French original, in the newspaper Business News, here.

On Saturday, the interim president of the Republic, Moncef Marzouki, visited the Russian Orthodox Church on Avenue Mohamad V in the capital. "Tunisia denounces the recent attacks against the church," the president declared to the faithful who were  present at the place of worship to celebrate the feast of Easter.

"These acts are isolated and do not at all reflect the Tunisian people's understanding of Islam's true principles, which forbid blind fanaticism," he emphasized. According to a press release from the office of the president, Marzouki also reassured the faithful who were present that "the performance of their religious rites is guaranteed in Tunisia."

Accompanied by the minister of justice, Noureddine B'hiri, the president of the Republic was welcomed on his arrival by the Russian ambassador in Tunis.

Further Vandalism of Orthodox Church in Tunis

From the Tunisian newspaper Business News. French original here.




Non-Muslim places of worship are being targeted by still-unidentified individuals. After the attacks perpetrated against the Orthodox church on Avenue Mohamed V, the Russian school located behind the church as well as the Christian cemetery of Montplaisir in Tunis have been vandalized.

The walls of the school were smeared with fecal matter, as also a fresco of Saint Siberian [sic] located in the back courtyard of the Orthodox church, while the cemetery's crosses were destroyed.

Yamina Thabet, the president of the Tunisian Society for Aid to Minorities (ATSM), indicated during a conference held April 4, 2012 at the headquarters of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists that the government is responsible for the protection of minorities in Tunisia, a protection that is imperative in the face of these repeated assaults. She especially lamented the government's manifest indifference with regard to minorities' right to protection.

According to the newspaper Le Maghreb, a Salafist burst into the church during April to deliver a letter from an Islamist party called "Hizb Allah" [not to be confused with the Lebanese party of the same name], inviting the archpriest to convert to Islam or to take down his church's crosses and pay the "jizya", a tribute that non-Muslims were required to pay at the beginning of the Islamic era [and oftentimes since then].

We note as well that the prosecutor of the Republic has ordered, Thursday April 5, an investigation to be opened within the context of the complaint filed by the ATSM regarding the calls made to kill Jews, according to the declaration of Ms. Thabet Thursday on Mosaïque FM.

Orthodox Church in Tunis threatened by Salafis

From the Palestinian newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi, published in London. Arabic original here.

Tunisian Society for Aid to Minorities: The Orthodox Church in Tunis Receives Threats from Salafis

The Tunisian Society for Aid to Minorities (an NGO) announced today (Tuesday) that the Orthodox Church in the capital, Tunis, has been subjected to "attacks" and has received "threat letters" (of an unspecified nature) from "Salafis".

Yamina Thabit, president of the society, said in an interview with Mosaic FM that those in charge of the church "are living in a state of terror" due to these "threats" and that the Russian abassador in Tunis has asked the Tunisians Ministry of the Interior to "protect the church."

Thabit mentioned that Salafis covered the church's crosses with garbage bags and informed those in charge of the church stated that they "do not want to see the cross in the Islamic State of Tunis."

In Tunisia, 99% of whose residents are Muslims (according to official figures), there are a small number of churches. About 20,000 Christians live in the country, most of whom are members of diplomatic delegations or foreign businessmen.

A Wealth of Arab Orthodox History, for Free!

Parole de l'Orient and its predecessor Melto is one of the most important journals for the study of Arabic and Syriac Christianity. Fortunately, its entire run up to 2009 is available in pdf's free online. Below I have linked to all the available articles dealing with  Orthodox Christianity. Anyone interested in the history of Arab Orthodoxy would do well to browse through this literature........



In English:

Brock, Sebastian- A short melkite baptismal service in syriac (1972)

Makhlouf, Avril Mary- The trinitarian doctrine of Eutychius of Alexandria, 877 - 940 A.D. (1974)


Griffith, Sidney- Free will in christian kalam : the doctrine of Theodore Abu Qurrah (1987)

Sepmeijer, Floris- The book of splendor of the believer by Abdallah Ibn al-Fadl (1990)

Swanson, Mark- Some considerations for the dating of Fi tatlit allah al-wahid (Sin. ar. 154) and al-gami wuguh al-iman (London, british library or. 4950)  (1993)


Griffith, Sidney-  Reflections on the biography of Theodore Abu Qurrah (1993)

Sminé, Rima- The miniatures of a christian arabic barlaam and joasaph, Balamand 147 (1993)

Portillo, Rocio Daga- The arabic life of St. John of Damascus (1996)


Walbiner, Carsten-Michael- Accounts on Georgia in the works of Makariyus Ibn al-Zaim (1996)

Eid Bualuan, Hayat-  Mikha'il Breik, a chronicler and historian in 18th century Bilad Al-Sam (1996)


Sahas, Daniel- Why did Heraclius not defend Jerusalem and fight the arabs ? (1998)

Griffith, Sidney-  The Qur'an in arab christian texts : the development of an apologetical argument : Abu Qurrah in the maglis of al-ma'mun (1998)

Nassif, Bassam- Religious Dialogue in the Eighth Century : Example from Theodore Abu Qurrah Treatise (2005)

Khalifeh, Elia- A Project on the Antiochian Chalcedonian Orthodox Manuscripts : Syriac, Arabic, Cpa and Greek (2006)


Wannous, Ramy-  Abdallah Ibn al-Fadl Exposition of the Orthodox Faith (2007)


Varsanyi, Orsolya- The Role of the Intellect in Theodore Abu Qurrah's On the True Religion (2009)

Righi, Davide-  The Dialog Attributed to Abraham of Tiberias : new Research of his historical Environment (2009)

Nasry, Wafik-  Is there a Relationship between Al-Mugadalah and Gami Wuguh al-Iman ? (2009)
 
Bualuan, Hayat el-Eid-  The Rise of Druzism in Tarih bin Said al-Antaki Silat Tarih Utiha  (2009)

Youssef, Youhanna Nessim-  Melkites in Egypt According to Abu al-Makarim (XII Century) (2009)


Bahkou, Abjar-  Kitab al-kafi fi al-mana al-safi, the Complete Book of the Proper Meaning : the Christian Apology of Gerasimus (2009)


Kaidbey, Naila- Melkites in the Writings of Muslim Historians of Bilad al-Sam (2009)


Walbiner, Carsten-Michael- Preserving the Past and Enlightening the Present : Macarius B. al-Zaim and Medieval Melkite Literature  (2009)



After the jump, articles in French and a few in Italian and German:

Mauritania's First Orthodox Priest

The Russian original can be found here.

On the Fourth of July, with the blessing of His Holiness Thodoros II, Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, in the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Metropolitan Alexios of Carthage, exarch of North Africa, ordained Fr. Labro Kefallino to the priesthood. He had been ordained to the diaconate four days earlier.

Fr. Labro, 34 years old and married, will serve in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. The majority of the country is within the Sahara desert and its population is over three million people. Its official religion is Islam. Until very recently, it was the last North African country in which the Orthodox Church had neither a church nor a parish. Fr. Labro is the first Orthodox priest who will serve in that land.

After the ordination, Metropolitan Alexios pointed out that that North African country is in a difficult situation on account of religious fundamentalism, Islamic extremism, political instability, a harsh climate and extreme poverty. He asked all to pray for Fr. Labro, who has been preparing the ground for a permanent Orthodox presence and witness in Mauritania.

Metropolitan George of Zimbabwe, representative of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in Athens was present at the ordination and congratulated Metropolitan Alexios for the extension of his jurisdiction into Mauritania, it having previously covered Tunis, Algeria, and Morocco.