Some researchers maintain that key to understanding societies and organizations often is in finding out why and by whom the names were assigned. Others simply find the field just plain interesting.
Thus it is that books, blogs, podcasts and web sites devoted to the topic receive followers from word smiths, religious students, historians, theologians scholars, and writers who believe in the sanctity of words.
Determining who coined the term Copt or Coptic and what they meant by the designation is fascinating to some and can help gain an insight into this people descending from the pharaohs.
The Meaning of Copt or Coptic – Today's View vs. King Tut's Era
The trail from the word origin to its meaning in modern Egypt is a bit meandering. The native people of the region had a term for an area, Hikuptah, meaning House of the Energy of Ptah.
Centuries later, Greco-Roman occupiers transferred pronunciation into Greek as Aigyptios, thinking it referred to the name of these people, instead of the name of a center of religion and political administration. Arabic speaking visitors abbreviated the term into Qibt. Then, finally, those Egyptians who chose to remain true to their religious beliefs which preceded Islam, adopted the term Copt.
Only Foreign Country Visited by Holy Family
In part, perhaps, because Egypt was the only country outside Judea, or Palestine, for Jesus, Mary and Joseph to visit, Egyptian Christians have long felt a special relationship between them and Virgin Mary exists.
As noted in the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, Mary and Joseph were exiled from Judea (modern-day West Bank, or Palestine) when King Herod ordered the killing of all infant boys under age two. Although the Bible is silent as to where the Holy Family took exile, Coptic Christians believe they know the route and locations where the Jesus and Virgin Mary stayed.
It is these very Coptics whose church began, according to Coptic tradition, with St. Mark's evangelistic preachings there in about AD 43 until his martyrdom there on Easter, AD 68. As would be expected, Copts are proud of their apostolic foundation of the Catholic Church, which likely is another reason they feel they are a 'chosen people.'
Coptics Combine Elements of Pharaohs, Hellenistic, Byzantine and Arabic Cultures
Coptic version of Christianity evolved from pharonic times and blends:
- remnants of practices during those times;
- elements of Hellenistic culture;
- Byzantine Egyptian culture; and
- Arabic culture.
Further, a shroud dating back to around AD 200 bears witness to early Christian practices of mummification and the adoption by them of the ankh, the early Egyptian emblem of eternal life, that Coptics used as their Cross, known as crux ansata.
Perhaps also, as recorded by Greek historian Herodotus, writing in the fifth century BC characterized Egyptians as 'excessively religious, more so than any other people in the world.'
Historical Reverence Permeates Egyptian Coptic Society
Coptic Christianity reveres relationship with Jesus, partly due to:
- reputed sites where the Holy family stayed;
- St. Mark's very early teachings in their country;
- Abraham early presence, possibly as adviser to a pharaoh;
- Moses and the Exodus;
- Moses and Mt. Sinai, aka Mt. Moses; and
- St. Catherine's, Christianity's longest continuously operating monastery.
Indeed, yearly, Orthodox Church leaders the world over pay homage at St. Catherine's and frequent the trail up to the mountain top.
But Egypt's feeling of a special standing with Jesus, Mary and Joseph may also stem from their name's origin at a time in which many present-day religious beliefs were first initiated – the time of King Tutankhamen, Ramses, Amun, Osiris, Ra, Atum and so many other legendary figures who were around, or worshiped, even before Hebrews first entered the civilization symbolized by the ankh which reflected the union of the Nile Delta with those living alongside the Nile in Upper Egypt and, as above noted, symbolized the first known practice in the belief of eternal life.
Coptic May Signify Much as to What Egyptian Means
In light of the foregoing, it could be said that the origin of the word is synonymous with earliest monotheism, or the belief in the One God. Perhaps something to bear in mind on January 7, the date Coptics celebrate Christ's birth.
To a Coptic it could be said it means being a 'pure Egyptian' who stays true to the family, including to Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Related Articles on Religion
Apparition of Virgin Mary Appears in Cairo Egypt – This article features discussion of several instances and locations reportedly frequented by apparitions of Virgin Mary in Egypt, including Zeitun Church in 1968, Assiut in 2007 and the December 2009 youtube hit at el Warraq that was reported in several major newspapers and BBC, that some hope will lead to better relations between Egypt's Coptic and Muslim community.
Holy Family was in Lower Egypt's Zaqaziq/Zagazig - This article features a discussion of Jesus, Virgin Mary and Joseph's exile during time of King Herod. First appearance in Nile Delta was at Bubastis, near Bilbeis and Zagazig.
Egyptian Christianity & Virgin Mary's Tree - Ever wonder where the Holy Family resided during their exile to Egypt? This article discusses one site, claimed by Coptic Christians, to be the sycamore tree used as shelter by Mary and a spring caused by baby Jesus. The site is less than a mile from the center of sun worship. Includes rarely seen photographs of the manger said to have been used by baby Jesus.
Sources:
Christian Connuyer, author of Coptic Egypt, The Christians of the Nile, published by Thames & Hudson.
William Lyster, Cornelis Hulsman & Stephen Davis, authors of Be Thou There, The Holy Family's Journey in Egypt, edited by Gawdat Gabra, publsihed by American University in Cairo Press
C. William Anderson - C. William Anderson is a lover of travel adventure and history who has lived and worked in Botswana, Egypt, Libya and the Middle East. He ...
