A Coptic Renaissance has started- meet the Coptic Innovators behind it!

Michelangelo, Leonardo, Coptic Creators

The Renaissance was a time of creative genius, artistic innovation, and intellectual transformation. The treasures created during the Renaissance surpass any made before and rival many created since then.

What if I told you that the Coptic Orthodox Church is experiencing its Renaissance?

Would you believe me?

Let us examine the evidence. Across North America, Europe, and Australia, Coptic Immigrants have cemented their presence in their adopted countries. With the massive expansion in the number of Churches, dioceses, monasteries, academies, and schools in the “lands of immigration,” the Coptic Diaspora is now yielding the fruits of the seeds that have been planted since the late 1950s. Those seeds have sprouted mighty trees with fruit-laden branches.

There are now successfully published Coptic authors, bloggers with mighty followings, creators of Coptic apparel, gifts, toys, and accessories, filmmakers, activists, poets, and hymnists!

This article is a tribute to some of the unbelievable talent found within the Coptic Diaspora and a chance to showcase the phenomenal achievements of these Coptic trailblazers, some of whom I am blessed to call my friends. While this list is not exhaustive, it gives proof of my bold statement. And so, without further ado, allow me to introduce to you some of the Coptic Renaissance-makers out there!

Blogger: Lilyan Andrews

Blog: https://www.liliesandthorns.com/

Audience: Young women (teenage and up).

Topics covered: How to keep our Christian faith and values in today’s society.

Mission: “I saw that there was a need to reach our Coptic girls online and outside of the Sunday school classroom because that’s where they spend most of their time. The blog lets them know that they are not alone in their struggles, and gives advice on how to overcome their challenges.” Said Lilyan, when reached for comment.

Blogger: Dalia Fam

Blog: https://gocoptic.org/

Audience: Anyone desiring to live a Missionary-driven life.

Topics covered: Mission experiences garnered after 13 years of serving in Africa.

Mission: “to fulfill the great commission of “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” Matthew 28:19) (read about it more here).

Specialized Online Platform: Women’s Ministry

https://orthodoxwomensministry.com/

Created by: Donna Marie Rizk Asdourian

Mission: “To address day-to-day life, pastoral, and theological topics, provide resources for laity and clergy with a focus on women, and to engage in healthy discussions for the role of the laity – men and women – in a changing world for today.” From their website. You can read more about their mission and projects here.

Online Advocacy Platform: Coptic Voice

http://copticvoiceus.com/

Created by: Marianne Melleka Boules

Mission: “We are a nonprofit editorial that takes submissions from the Coptic diaspora!” Said Marianne. You can read more about their mission and projects here.

Online Store: We the Copts

https://www.wethecopts.com/

Created by: Martina Hanna

Products offered: Gifts, Baptism ware, journals, and much more.

Mission: “We the Copts’ goal is to create resourceful and fun products to help the children and youth connect to their church and enjoy growing in the orthodox faith.” Said Tina.

Authors Corner – some of whom also blog–a double blessing!

Author: Phoebe Farag Mikhail

Blog: http://beingincommunity.com/

Book: Putting Joy Into Practice: Seven Ways to Lift Your Spirit from the Early Church.

https://amzn.to/36T2uKv (affiliate link)*.

Author: Laura Philopateer

Blog: https://www.copticdadandmom.com/

Mission: “to help my readers (and me) navigate this fallen world we live in, trust God more and love and serve our neighbors.” You can read more about Laura’s vision here.

Book: The Story of the Copts–A New Children’s Book!

https://www.mycopticshop.com/shop/story-of-the-copts

Author and Curriculum Creator: Shereen Marcus

Website: https://bridgestoorthodoxy.com/

Mission: “create new resources to better serve the Orthodox Youth living in North America.” From her website. You can read more about Sherene’s mission and vision here.

P.S. Shereen created the most fabulous Vacation Bible School Program for Philo and the SuperHolies- available here.

Book: An Immigrant Church No Longer: Reshaping Youth Ministry for Coptic Churches in North America.

https://amzn.to/2GB6dSx (affiliate link).

Author: Rev. Michael Sorial

Book:

Church Life in a Coronavirus World: Contextualizing the Church Today Through Lessons from Past Plagues, Famines, and Periods of Persecution.

https://amzn.to/3lunfAv (affiliate link).

And:

Incarnational Exodus: A Vision for the Coptic Orthodox Church in North America Based on the Incarnational Theology of Athanasius of Alexandria.

https://amzn.to/30QkmSs (affiliate link).

Author: Rany Makaryus

Book: Scriptural Basis of the Divine Liturgy: Meditations on the Coptic Orthodox Liturgy of Saint Basil.

https://amzn.to/3dnLIVm (affiliate link).

In closing, I would like to invite our readers to visit my blog (shameful plug 😊) at: https://mireillemishriky.com/blog

Please check out my children’s book series: Philo and the SuperHolies.

What is my mission? To make our children realize that the Holy Spirit has given them superpowers, they can activate by making the cross’s sign to overcome any challenge!

Have I convinced you?

Do you agree we are living during a Coptic Renaissance?

Visit these websites and share the links with EVERYONE!

Let us celebrate all the awesomeness of our Coptic faith!

In Christ,

Mireille

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