Students Meet Coptic Pope

Exactly one year to the day, a group of Religion 100 students met another world leader of Christianity that traces his lineage to the apostles.

Last spring in Istanbul, Concordia students experienced a private audience with His All Holiness Bartholomew, Patriarch of the Orthodox Church founded by the disciple Andrew. During an Exploration Seminar this spring, students attended a much larger audience and lecture by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, leader of the Egyptian Coptic church founded by the apostle Mark.

Despite a capacity audience in cavernous Cathedral of St. Mark in Cairo, students were ushered to the front row for a close-up view of Shenouda's weekly message where he fields questions and gives advice to his followers.

"In this role, Shenouda is like a bishop of the people from Biblical times," says religion professor Dr. Roy Hammerling, co-leader of the seminar. "He actively leads his congregation much like a government does today."

Dr. Shawn Carruth, assistant professor of religion, says Shenouda is an inspiring spiritual leader who continues a straight line from the 4th century monastic tradition of giving his followers advice for how to best lead their lives. "He is inspiring because he continues a centuries old tradition, yet understands the needs of people today."

Hammerling was escorted to the podium where he spoke briefly with the pope and presented Shenouda with a letter from President Pamela Jolicoeur and several recordings of The Concordia Choir.






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