The Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world and the largest Christian community in the Middle East

Come & learn about this ancient and contemporary church from the Coptic community in South Carolina. Find out what is happening to the Christians of the Middle East today.

6:30 PM Tuesday April 2, 2019

Grace Church Cathedral, 98 Wentworth Street

Charleston, SC 29401

This program is free and open to the public. 

The Charleston Interreligious Council presents informative programs highlighting religious denominations throughout the world. On April 2, 2019, CIC presented “Coptic Christians, A Story of  Faith, Suffering and Hope Among the Christians of the Middle East.”   Fr. Antony Zaki, Priest of St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Myrtle Beach, SC and Deacon Georges Guirgius, Ph.D. explained the history and theology of the Coptic Christian Church as well as its growing presence in South Carolina.

The Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world and the largest Christian community in the Middle East. It was founded by St. Mark the Evangelist in 43 A.D. in Alexandria, Egypt.  Coptic Christians also trace their roots to the visit to Egypt by Jesus and the Holy Family as they sought refuge from King Herod.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II is the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church worldwide. He became the 118th Pope of Alexandria, Egypt in 2012.  There is a growing community of Coptic Christians in the United States and in South Carolina. St Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Myrtle Beach is one of four Coptic churches in the state. Coptic worship is held once a month in Charleston.

Many thanks to Dr. Lester Pittman for organizing this excellent program, and to Grace Church Cathedral for hosting the event.