We had the opportunity to spend a few days at a Coptic Orthodox
retreat center an hour out of Cairo called Anafora. The Coptic church聽traces their roots back to the apostle Mark and a visit he made聽to聽Egypt. So this experience was a chance to worship with one of the聽earliest church traditions.
The leadership at Anafora are working to聽create a place where people can come to seek retreat and new life.聽They have started to build biblical structures, the Amanmesia, which聽means remembering, to help explain some of their beliefs. So far they
have built a replica of the tabernacle, the Sea of Galilee, the Mount
of Olives, a small version of the ark of Noah, and a model of
Jerusalem. They are currently working on painting the walls of a
church building showing different Bible stories and of the 12
apostles. Overall, Anafora is doing well at creating a relaxing
environment where all feel welcome despite the differences in color,
culture, and religious practices.
We got to take part in the Epiphany service which was in a mix of
Coptic and Arabic. The Coptic and Greek Orthodox churches celebrate聽the baptism of Jesus as part of Epiphany. The service starts with two聽hours of prayers, then an hour and a half mass, and finishing with a聽ceremony of placing a cross into water. The mass was a new experience聽for many of us who come from the Mennonite tradition, which doesn鈥檛聽feature as much liturgy and sacraments. The mass had us using all of our聽senses. When entering the chapel, we were overwhelmed by the smoke and聽smell of incense. We listened to the sound of songs, spoken liturgies,聽and cymbals. We saw the different icons of crosses and apostles, took聽part in passing the peace by touching hands, and observed the taking聽of communion.
After the mass we received candles and processed to an
amphitheater which included an island surrounded by a pool of water.聽Following some singing and liturgy, Bishop Thomas placed three baskets聽on fire, an anc (an Egyptian cymbal used to represent the cross), and聽a cross into the pool. Upon the completion of the service, everyone聽enjoyed a meal together as the Coptic Christians had been fasting for聽Epiphany.
It鈥檚 fascinating to witness how Christians in all different traditions
and cultures used different practices and traditions to listen to God.
In the Mennonite tradition we use four part hymns and in the Coptic
tradition they use incense and liturgy. After processing this, it made
me realize that the way Christians pull in parts of their culture to
encounter God is an example of how God can not be bound by
traditions. He moves and speaks in all places and through many ways.
A section of the liturgy used in the Epiphany service:
O King of peace, grand us Your peace, establish for us Your peace, and聽forgive us our sins.
Disperse the enemies of the church, and strengthen her so it will never shake.
Emmanuel, our God, in His Father鈥檚 Glory with the Holy Spirit, is now聽in our midst.
That He blesses us all, purifies our hearts, and heals the sickness of
our souls and bodies.
We worship You, O Christ, with Your good Father and the Holy Spirit聽for You were baptized and saved us.
-Janaya Sachs and Rachel Holderman