TAÏGAPRESSE IMAGES

The Copts of the Nile

The religious history, incredibly rich in Egypt, has combined throughout the centuries different cultures and beliefs. It is in a melting pot that the Christendom of the Copts has inherited throughout time a Pharaohnic as well as a Hellenistic, Byzantine and Arab influence. They live to the rhythm of their faith, with absolute fervour. Once a majority, the Copts of the Nile have endured suffering, and today exist as a minority in an Islamic community. A discovery of a parallel world, at the same time magnificent, complex and delicate in a historical and religious context.

Photographer
Nabil Boutros
Country
Egypt
Published
August 2002
Images
65
Reference
160-50060
The pope Shenouda III during the midnight Easter ceremony removes the icon of the Christ from the bed of roses on which it was kept…160_50060_01 The largest pilgrimage in Egypt is that of the Virgin's Assumption in Der Dronka near Assiout. Despite of the excruciating August heat,…160_50060_02 The largest pilgrimage in Egypt is that of the Virgin's Assumption in Der Dronka near Assiout. Despite of the excruciating August heat,…160_50060_03 The largest pilgrimage in Egypt is that of the Virgin's Assumption in Der Dronka near Assiout. Despite of the excruciating August heat,…160_50060_04 The largest pilgrimage in Egypt is that of the Virgin's Assumption in Der Dronka near Assiout. Despite of the excruciating August heat,…160_50060_05 The largest pilgrimage in Egypt is that of the Virgin's Assumption in Der Dronka near Assiout. Despite of the excruciating August heat,…160_50060_06 The tattoo is another means of affirming faith and identity. Pilgrimage offers the occasion. Children, young or old people seek tattoo…160_50060_07 Palm Sunday. Palm branches, religious symbol and an sign of joy in the Middle East, reminds the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem a few days…160_50060_08 Palm Sunday. Palm branches, religious symbol and an sign of joy in the Middle East, reminds the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem a few days…160_50060_09 Palm Sunday. Palm branches, religious symbol and an sign of joy in the Middle East, reminds the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem a few days…160_50060_10 Receiving good grace by touching the icons, by writing names with wax or by slipping written wishes under the glass (21 at Mit Damsis…160_50060_11 Receiving good grace by touching the icons, by writing names with wax or by slipping written wishes under the glass (21 at Mit Damsis…160_50060_12 The civil at the service of the church are musicians during the ceremony and dress with white garments and a star. They are organized…160_50060_13 The civil at the service of the church are musicians during the ceremony and dress with white garments and a star. They are organized…160_50060_14 The great liturgies last between 3 and 6 hours. They are usually celebrated with several priests who intervene at different moments…160_50060_15 The great liturgies last between 3 and 6 hours. They are usually celebrated with several priests who intervene at different moments…160_50060_16 On the Eve of Easter, the children of the choir and the priests turn three times around the altar and then around the public with the…160_50060_17 At the beginning of the religious ceremony, the altar is blesses and incense is lit on the four sides. (18) always with a child of the…160_50060_18 At the beginning of the religious ceremony, the altar is blesses and incense is lit on the four sides. (18) always with a child of the…160_50060_19 At the beginning of the religious ceremony, the altar is blesses and incense is lit on the four sides. (18) always with a child of the…160_50060_20 Receiving good grace by touching the icons, by writing names with wax or by slipping written wishes under the glass (21 at Mit Damsis…160_50060_21 On the Eve of Easter, the children of the choir and the priests turn three times around the altar and then around the public with the…160_50060_22 The Copts of the Nile, image 23 of 65160_50060_23 During the religious ceremony a long moment is dedicated to the sermon very often didactic and full of examples of daily life. (here at…160_50060_24 The communion during the religious ceremony. Traditionally, women and men are separated.160_50060_25 The blessings and burning of incense at the beginning of the Easter religious ceremony, celebrated by the Pope Chenouda III.160_50060_26 The blessings and burning of incense at the beginning of the Easter religious ceremony, celebrated by the Pope Chenouda III.160_50060_27 After being baptised, young boys are traditionally dressed in a mitre, an expression to vow that his life remains pious or a wish to a…160_50060_28 The crowd in prostration at the moment of the blessing of the holy bread.160_50060_29 The bishops and the counsellors of the pope meet during the sermon of the Easter religious ceremony.160_50060_30 The pope Shenouda III, the successor of St Marc the evangeliser of Egypt in the year 43 AD. Here dressed in the chasuble of the feast of…160_50060_31 Vows and devotion near the image of saint Pacome (founder of the rules of monarchism in the IV th century) during a pilgrimage near…160_50060_32 The communion during the religious ceremony. Traditionally, women and men are separated.160_50060_33 Copt interiors (here at Beni-Suef) are always ornamented by pious relics to bring grace and benediction to households. These images of…160_50060_34 Copt interiors (here at Beni-Suef) are always ornamented by pious relics to bring grace and benediction to households. These images of…160_50060_35 The monastery of St Antoine, built on the cave in which the saint lived. Saint Antoine is considered to be the first Christian hermit.160_50060_36 The monastery of St Antoine, built on the cave in which the saint lived. Saint Antoine is considered to be the first Christian hermit.160_50060_37 The monastery of St Antoine, built on the cave in which the saint lived. Saint Antoine is considered to be the first Christian hermit.160_50060_38 The monastery of St Antoine, built on the cave in which the saint lived. Saint Antoine is considered to be the first Christian hermit.160_50060_39 After the last evening prayer, the priests dispose of two free hours during which they meditate, walk or indulge in other activities.160_50060_40 The monks pray collectively twice a day. Once at dawn around 3 or 4 in the morning dedicated to praise and that of dusk dedicated to…160_50060_41 The monks pray collectively twice a day. Once at dawn around 3 or 4 in the morning dedicated to praise and that of dusk dedicated to…160_50060_42 After the last evening prayer, the priests dispose of two free hours during which they meditate, walk or indulge in other activities.160_50060_43 The monks pray collectively twice a day. Once at dawn around 3 or 4 in the morning dedicated to praise and that of dusk dedicated to…160_50060_44 The monks pray collectively twice a day. Once at dawn around 3 or 4 in the morning dedicated to praise and that of dusk dedicated to…160_50060_45 The cross can be seen on the monks' robes as well. A braded cross, made by the monks themselves is worn on the neck. Their hood is…160_50060_46 The tomb of St Paul in the monastery dedicated to him. He was the disciple of Saint Antoine.160_50060_47 Monk at the main hall of Deir Baramos (Wadi-en-Natroun, east of delta), surrounded by portraits of priests who have been in charge of…160_50060_48 The Copts of the Nile, image 49 of 65160_50060_49 The priests, during daily activities following the morning prayers and religious ceremony. The activities are numerous varying from…160_50060_50 The priests, during daily activities following the morning prayers and religious ceremony. The activities are numerous varying from…160_50060_51 The priests, during daily activities following the morning prayers and religious ceremony. The activities are numerous varying from…160_50060_52 The priests, during daily activities following the morning prayers and religious ceremony. The activities are numerous varying from…160_50060_53 The priests, during daily activities following the morning prayers and religious ceremony. The activities are numerous varying from…160_50060_54 The priests, during daily activities following the morning prayers and religious ceremony. The activities are numerous varying from…160_50060_55 The priests, during daily activities following the morning prayers and religious ceremony. The activities are numerous varying from…160_50060_56 The priests, during daily activities following the morning prayers and religious ceremony. The activities are numerous varying from…160_50060_57 The priests, during daily activities following the morning prayers and religious ceremony. The activities are numerous varying from…160_50060_58 The priests, during daily activities following the morning prayers and religious ceremony. The activities are numerous varying from…160_50060_59 The priests, during daily activities following the morning prayers and religious ceremony. The activities are numerous varying from…160_50060_60 The priests, during daily activities following the morning prayers and religious ceremony. The activities are numerous varying from…160_50060_61 The priests, during daily activities following the morning prayers and religious ceremony. The activities are numerous varying from…160_50060_62 A monk considered as a saint gives his blessings to visitors who have come especially to meet him. The crowd sometimes wait for hours in…160_50060_63 The baptism « bath of eternity » done by three immersions in blessed water mixed with sacred oil. The immersions symbolise the…160_50060_64 The Monastery of Deir Baramos at Wadi-en-Natroun (east of delta) built in the 5th century is one of the monasteries in the Egyptian…160_50060_65
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