Copts in Egypt Worry About the Future

The Copts in Egypt represent the major and ancient (The Coptic Orthodox Church was founded in 42 AD/CE in Alexandria) form of Christianity in the country.  With the current unrest in Egypt, many Copts have become quite uneasy about their future.  Whatever else he may be, President Hosni Mubarak has been tolerant of the ten percent of Egyptians who are Copts.  Pope Shenouda III has publicly expressed support for Mr. Mubarak.

Dr. Viviane Ghaly, a Coptic physician in Alexandria was quoted in The Wall Street Journal on 1 February, 2011: "We complain about his government too, but we got used to Mubarak and his ways.  We don't know what would come next."

Coptic is a continuation of the ancient Egyptian language.  The word "copt" is derived from the Greek word for the country, "agyptos" (Αίγυπτος).  Below is a Coptic hymn, sung by Ibrahim Ayad , the lead deacon in Cairo's Coptic Cathedral and a respected authority on coptic hymns.  The hymn is Epouro O King of Peace.