Arab Conquest and Umayyads

OBJECTIVE

Students should be able to obtain a general understanding of the Arab Conquest and the effect that it had on Coptic Orthodoxy. This week we will cover the early Arab conquest and Umayyads from 641-750.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 10 Minutes

In our church today, there are days where we pray in Arabic. However, that was not always the case. Although our parents and even some of us are able to speak Arabic, it is only because we began losing our own tradition and language during the Arab Conquest. Coptic was our original language, and even though we still chant it during our services, we don't really understand the words we are saying. Unless we read the translation, of course.

Take some time to review some words in Coptic and their translations. Once you review it with the students, test each student with one of the words that were learned.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

Memory Verse - "Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:1-2)

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 25 Minutes

Before Egypt was conquered by the Islamic empire, it had been incorporated into different empires. Regardless Coptic Christian culture had strong Hellenistic (Greek) elements, and Coptic was known to be the traditional and national spoken language. After the rule of Alexander in 330 BC, Ancient Egyptian culture adopted many elements of the Greek culture, while still maintaining the traditional Egyptian language. For almost 1300 years, Alexandria remained one of the most prosperous cities of the world in the West, with empires constantly fighting for control of Egypt.

Prior to the Arab conquest, there was constant strife for control between the Byzantine and Persian Empires. At the time, the Byzantine Empire had just regained control of Egypt, and Emperor Heraculius appointed a man named Cyrus to be the Chalcedonian patriarch. Cyrus had fierce determination to push many non-Chalcedonians, including many Coptic Christian bishops, over to his control. This began the relentless years of power under Cyrus. Pope Benjamin of Alexandria, the Coptic Patriarch at the time, was pushed to flee to Upper Egypt for at least ten years.

Nevertheless, the Arab conquest in Egypt stands to be one of the most extreme changes to Egyptian culture.

Early Islamic Rule

After capturing Syria and Jerusalem, Amr ibn Al-as, a Muslim commander, marched to Egypt with only 4,000 troops. He captured Pelusium and worked his way towards the Babylon Fortress, which is present-day Cairo. He was successful and continued to gain control over Helopius, where he won a great battle. By the summer of 641, Amr ibn Al-as and his armies gained control of Egypt. At the moment of his control, there were three conditions that he demanded: "(1) Islam with brotherhood and equality; (2) payment of tribute, and protection with an inferior status; (3) war till God decides between us"

After three years of ruling, Pope Benjamin returned to the city to lead the Copts. This allowed for a smoother relationship between the Copts and the new government.

In comparison to the previous Byzantine Empire, the Copts felt as though they were treated more fairly than before. Their taxes were reduced, and they had greater religious freedoms. They were no longer viewed as heretics, but were instead the "protected people". Although some Copts began converting, many stayed true to the faith, accepting the unfair discrimination created against them, such as taxes and never being free from public humiliation. Amr ibn Al-as tried to treat the Copts fairly and did not exploit the economic gain he could have obtained from ruling Egypt.

The other rulers, however, were driven by the power they could gain and began to pressure Amr ibn Al-as. In order to out rule his orders, the other Islamic caliph removed Amr ibn Al-as from his position and replaced him with Abdullah ibn Sa'd.

Umayyads

In 661 AD, the second caliphate of the four major caliphates ruled over Islam. Once the ruling system became established, the focus of the Umayyad Caliphate shifted to the Arabization and Islamization of Egypt. Although they were still considered the "protected" people, more rules were put into place. They began to separate the Copts and Muslims, trying to always identify and deal with each group differently.

The governors maintained cordiality with the patriarchs, but there were forceful actions taken. For example, during the reign of Abdul Aziz, Christians were forced to put this statement in their churches: "Muhammad is the great Apostle of God and Jesus also the apostle of God, but verily God is not begotten and does not beget"

During Pope Alexander II's patriarchy, there was a major shift in the relationship between Copts and Arabs. Before this time period, the Arab rulers had previously been broadly tolerant. However, this became a turbulent period for the Coptic church. At this time, Abdallah, the son of the previous caliph, recognized that he was able to extort 3000 dinars from Alexander. This, later on, inspired his superiors to do the same. Abdallah continued enforcing Islam on the community; he ordered the use of Arabic in all documents and forbade Copts from wearing the burnoose, creating a division and physical difference in Copts versus Muslims.

As the taxes increased and converts became exempt from the discrimination, many Copts started leaving the church. In the 720s, Copts began to feel frustrated and impatient when an order was given to destroy the icons in the church. This resulted in a massacre of Copts, and soon, the Coptic majority became a minority.

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes

• When is a time that we have felt that our faith has wavered?
• What is a plan of action when we feel that we are weak in faith?
• Is it okay to feel weak in faith? When does it become unacceptable to have feeble faith?

LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes

This is an extension of the memory verse. You are welcome to read this excerpt as it is taken from the Orthodox Study Bible, and is a good reminder of why our faith is one of the most important aspects of our life with God.

Justification by faith is dynamic, not static. For Orthodox Christians, faith is living, dynamic, continuous - never static or merely point-in-time. Faith is not something Christian exercises at one critical moment, expecting it to cover all the rest of his life. True faith is not just a decision, it's a way of life. Thus, the Orthodox Christian sees salvation in at least three aspects: (a) I have been saved, being joined to Christ in Holy Baptism; (b) I am being saved, growing in Christ through the sacramental life of the Church; and (c) I will be saved, by the mercy of God at the Last Judgement.

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

Option 1

Have the students come up with simple sentences in English. Once they have thought of a sentence, have them search to see if they can find a translation for it in Coptic. Once they have translated it in Coptic, have them present it to the class.

Option 2

Give each student 3 minutes to think of a church figure who displayed strong faith, regardless of the circumstances. They are able to mention patron saints, saints from the synaxarium, or religious leaders, such as Pope Kyrillos VI or Father Arseny. Once they have thought of their example, give them 5 minutes to do research. Allow for the students to then have the opportunity to present to the class about the person they researched.

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

If Activity 1 was done during class, have the students try to watch the video in the introduction to learn one more Coptic word. Have them mention it in the next week.

If Activity 2 was done during class, have parents encourage their students to try to research more about the life of the church figure they chose. Students should be able to find one more example where their example was able to exhibit strong faith.