Content

This unit is an introduction to the worship life of the Coptic Church and its liturgical services. The course will introduce students to the basic structure of vespers, matins, and the liturgy in the Coptic Rite. Furthermore, students will learn the broad historical background of these services and the process by which they acquired their current shape. To this end, students will also become familiar with the major sources of studying the liturgical tradition of the Coptic Church.

Unit code: DL2440A

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 2

Unit discipline: Liturgy

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: St Athanasius College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Explain the structure of the two most important elements of the Coptic Rite, the Divine Liturgy, and the daily services of vespers and matins.

2.

Identify the major primary sources of the history of the Coptic liturgical tradition.

3.

Describe the major liturgical elements of the Coptic Divine Liturgy, their mutual relationship, and broad historical background.

4.

Apply the historical knowledge of the Cathedral and Monastic traditions of daily prayer to the current Coptic services of vespers and matins.

Pedagogy

12 weekly sessions, required reading and additional reading resources

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bradshaw, Paul F. Daily Prayer in the Early Church: A Study of the Origin and Early Development of the Divine Office. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 1981.
  • Brightman, F.E., ed. Liturgies Eastern and Western Being the Texts Original or Translated of the Principal Liturgies of the Church. Vol. 1. Eastern Liturgies. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press, 1896.
  • Burmester, O.H.E. The Egyptian or Coptic Church: A Detailed Description of Her Liturgical Services and the Rites and Ceremonies Observed in the Administration of Her Sacraments. Cairo, Egypt: Société d'Archéologie Copte, 1967.
  • Farag, Lois, ed. The Coptic Christian Heritage: History, Faith, Culture. London: Routledge, 2013. (recommended for purchase)
  • Gabra, Gawdat, ed. Coptic Civilization: Two Thousand Years of Christianity in Egypt. Cairo, Egypt: AUC Press, 2014.
  • Mikhail, Maged S.A. From Byzantine to Islamic Egypt: Religion, Identity and Politics after the Arab Conquest. London: I.B. Tauris, 2014.
  • Mikhail, Ramez. “On Evening Worship in Egypt: A Theological Evaluation of Contemporary Practice in Light of Patristic and Medieval Sources.” Coptica 12 (2013): 77-94.
  • Swanson, Mark N. The Coptic Papacy in Islamic Egypt (641-1517) (The Popes of Egypt 2). Cairo: AUC Press, 2010. (recommended for purchase)
  • Taft, Robert F. The Liturgy of the Hours in East and West. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1993. (recommended for purchase)

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Major Essay (1500 words)

1500 40.0
Forum

Forum Reflections 400 words

400 10.0
Forum

Forum Reflections 400 words

400 10.0
Forum

Forum Reflections 400 words

400 10.0
Essay

Short Essay (1000 words)

1000 20.0
Forum

Forum Reflections 400 words

400 10.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 1 Nov, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-31 15:51:20 +1100