April 2025

Film presentation

The Coptic Orthodox Church was founded in apostolic times by St Mark the Apostle. Its biblical and liturgical theology, imbued with devotion and spirituality, was nourished at its roots by the theological school of Alexandria, but also and above all by monasticism. The Coptic language, still used today in the liturgy, is in fact the language of ancient Egypt transliterated into Greek. The word ‘Coptic’ itself comes from the word ‘Aegyptos’, which means Egyptian. From its beginnings, its history has been marked by persecution, and the figure of the martyrs has had a strong impact on believers. Their testimonies shaped and strengthened their faith, giving meaning to their trials. The daily and tangible connection with the saints through relics and icons are living expressions of a profound spirituality. Although rooted in a tradition dating back two thousand years, vitality and creativity flourish in this Church. It is experiencing a new breath of monastic life, nourished by Sunday schools and a solid choice of formation for believers. Whether in monasteries or parishes, the Church also offers centres of intense activity for young people, a place of service but also of fatherhood. Meeting some of these theologians, monks and witnesses has allowed us to open one of the doors to ‘Coptic Orthodoxy’. Through this journey, let us discover the spiritual and faith-filled influence of the Coptic Orthodox Church, from yesterday to today.

Sharing time

Praying time

We suggest that you set up your place of prayer with attention to the symbol and, if you wish, place one or more icons.

We invite you to pray in the form of a prayer for Christian unity, recited by the Chemin Neuf community every Thursday.

Here is the meaning behind our willingness to pray for Christian unity

The place of prayer is set up for a service. We suggest placing the empty chalice and paten on the altar.

Beforehand, explain the symbolism of the chalice and paten

These are a few elements of the presentation to be adapted according to your meeting: think about the dimension of hope in faith, and not only the suffering of separation, the two dimensions of prayer for unity according to Father Paul Couturier; Psalm 121 (Hebrew 122) gives the image of a journey, a pilgrimage towards this promise of unity. Every day, we pray to the Holy Spirit to give us ‘the experience of the suffering of separation’. This empty chalice and paten, placed on the altar, symbolise this separation and the sin of division: we are not yet all at the same table. But every day, we also ask ‘to hope beyond all hope’. Thus, praying before this cup and paten is also a confession of our hope: we believe that one day we will all be gathered at the same table. We welcome among us this sign of the cup and paten by singing Psalm 121 (Hebrew 122): “I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord! […] Jerusalem, built as a city where all things are united!‘ Together, we want to walk towards this promise, this city ’where all things are united”.

Suggested order of service for Christian unity

This may be followed by: exhortation, testimonies, presentation of a Church or an ecumenical event, or reading of a text by a witness of the Church..

Lord Jesus,

You prayed that all may be one,

We pray for Christian unity,

As you desire it,

By the means you desire.

May your Spirit grant us to feel the pain of separation,

To see our sin,

And to hope beyond all hope.

Amen!

*Prayer composedpar des membres de la Communauté du Chemin Neuf, à partir d’une prière du père Paul Couturier