Egypt
Abstract
Egyptian Christians, called Copts, make up an est. 8%-10% of the population and are the largest Christian community in the Middle East. According to tradition, Christianity came to Egypt when Saint Mark the Evangelist (d. 68) founded the influential Church of Alexandria. The Coptic Church, a branch of Oriental Orthodoxy, slowly declined under dhimmitude after the Arab/Muslim invasion of 641. The French invasion of 1798 brought modern education and led to religious revival. Discrimination and violent attacks towards Copts have increased especially since the 2011 revolution. There is also a large diaspora community of Copts in the West due to emigration.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Middle East Politics and Society
Ancient Egypt and Archaeology
Islamic Studies and History
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Edinburgh University Press eBooks
- Pages
- 68–79
- Publication date
- 22 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter