The Oriental Orthodox communion of churches is bound by a common Christological confession, dating to the fifth century CE Council of Chalcedon. The Coptic, Syriac, Armenian, and Ethiopian churches demonstrate a profound sense of theological and cultural unity. This study delineates the historical underpinnings of this unity set in Egypt, illustrating how this communion contributes to the vitality of these churches amidst changing socio-political landscapes, delving into the delicate interplay between these churches and the political structures in modern Egypt. From Muhammad Ali Pasha’s rule, father of modern Egypt, which inaugurates the examination, to the challenges presented by British occupation and the emergence of the nation-state, the Oriental churches and their ecclesial communion played pivotal roles shaping the political narratives of Egypt. This study underscores the Oriental churches’ part in contributing to Egypt’s rich tapestry of religious diversity, arguing that their historical antiquity extends beyond the country, to profoundly influence the broader Middle Eastern landscape. The Oriental churches are enduringly relevant in today’s world as ecumenical pillars of faith and Eastern Christian wisdom, a connection to the early Christian world, and a modern expression of an ancient faith.
","abstract_html":"<p>The Oriental Orthodox communion of churches is bound by a common Christological confession, dating to the fifth century CE Council of Chalcedon. The Coptic, Syriac, Armenian, and Ethiopian churches demonstrate a profound sense of theological and cultural unity. This study delineates the historical underpinnings of this unity set in Egypt, illustrating how this communion contributes to the vitality of these churches amidst changing socio-political landscapes, delving into the delicate interplay between these churches and the political structures in modern Egypt. From Muhammad Ali Pasha’s rule, father of modern Egypt, which inaugurates the examination, to the challenges presented by British occupation and the emergence of the nation-state, the Oriental churches and their ecclesial communion played pivotal roles shaping the political narratives of Egypt. This study underscores the Oriental churches’ part in contributing to Egypt’s rich tapestry of religious diversity, arguing that their historical antiquity extends beyond the country, to profoundly influence the broader Middle Eastern landscape. The Oriental churches are enduringly relevant in today’s world as ecumenical pillars of faith and Eastern Christian wisdom, a connection to the early Christian world, and a modern expression of an ancient faith.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Ghattas, Mary"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Religion, PhD","degree_level":"Restricted to Claremont Colleges Dissertation","degree_discipline":"School of Arts and Humanities","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Nicola Denzey Lewis","Karen Jo. Torjesen","Gawdat Gabra"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2024,"date_issued":"2024-01-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2024-01-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T01:40:49Z","subjects":["Eastern Christianity","Egypt","History of Christianity","Middle East","Oriental Orthodoxy","Orthodox Christianity","Near and Middle Eastern Studies","Religion"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgu_etd/839","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Nicola Denzey Lewis","Karen Jo. Torjesen","Gawdat Gabra"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Ghattas, Mary"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2024-09-10T07:00:00Z"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["School of Arts and Humanities"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Restricted to Claremont Colleges Dissertation"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Religion, PhD"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Eastern Christianity","Egypt","History of Christianity","Middle East","Oriental Orthodoxy","Orthodox Christianity","Near and Middle Eastern Studies","Religion"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgu_etd/839"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["The Oriental Orthodox communion of churches is bound by a common Christological confession, dating to the fifth century CE Council of Chalcedon. The Coptic, Syriac, Armenian, and Ethiopian churches demonstrate a profound sense of theological and cultural unity. This study delineates the historical underpinnings of this unity set in Egypt, illustrating how this communion contributes to the vitality of these churches amidst changing socio-political landscapes, delving into the delicate interplay between these churches and the political structures in modern Egypt. From Muhammad Ali Pasha’s rule, father of modern Egypt, which inaugurates the examination, to the challenges presented by British occupation and the emergence of the nation-state, the Oriental churches and their ecclesial communion played pivotal roles shaping the political narratives of Egypt. This study underscores the Oriental churches’ part in contributing to Egypt’s rich tapestry of religious diversity, arguing that their historical antiquity extends beyond the country, to profoundly influence the broader Middle Eastern landscape. The Oriental churches are enduringly relevant in today’s world as ecumenical pillars of faith and Eastern Christian wisdom, a connection to the early Christian world, and a modern expression of an ancient faith.
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