Christianity is the religion of a major part of the population in Sohag Governorate in Egypt. Minya Governorate, Asyut Governorate, and Qena Governorate also have sizable Christian populations.

Overview

Important Christian landmarks in Sohag Goverorate include White Monastery (Deir el-Abyad) and the Red Monastery (Deir el-Ahmar) of the Copts.[1] Sohag is the seat of a bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. A diocese of Sohag under the Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts exists.

History

Monk and prophet Shenute (about 350–465; Abbot of the White Monastery) was a key figure in the struggle against idolatry.[2] The governorate was the site of violent clashes of Islamists versus the government.[3]

Recent history

Security forces (SSI) arrested over 1,200 Coptic Christians in Sohag on the 15th of August 1998.[4]

There were riots between Copts and Muslims of Arab tribes in 1999.[5] In 2000, 21 Christians were killed in an attack by Muslims from Arab tribes.[6]

Notable people

The late Patriarch Stéphanos II Ghattas of the Coptic Catholic Church, a cardinal, was born in Sohag Governorate.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Sohag - I monasteri copti". www.egittopercaso.net (in Italian). Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  2. ↑ Fakultät, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Evangelisch -Theologische. "Centrum für Geschichte und Kultur des östlichen Mittelmeerraums". egora.uni-muenster.de (in German). Retrieved 2018-03-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-10-07. Retrieved 2011-07-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ↑ "Persecution in Sohag, Egypt Islamism Exposed". www.sullivan-county.com. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  5. ↑ "islam: unterdrueckung andersglaeubiger ..." www.kunstnet.de. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  6. ↑ "10. Tribal Fanaticism reigns supreme in southern Egypt | Arab West Report". www.arabwestreport.info. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  7. ↑ "ZENIT - Papst Benedikt würdigt verstorbenen Patriarchen der koptisch-katholischen Kirche". Archived from the original on 2012-02-07. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
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