Today, Friday, September 1, 2023 marks the launch of the Ninth Conference on Ecclesiastical History “The Eighth Century: Difficulties and Transformations” which the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center holds during Friday and Saturday, September 1 and 2, 2023, in partnership with Pope Shenouda III Center for Ecclesiastical History in central Cairo and the Institute of Coptic Studies.
Among the attendees were Their Graces Bishop Moussa, the General Bishop of Youth, Bishop Raphael, General Bishop of the Churches of Central Cairo, Bishop Makarios of Al-Minya and its environs and Bishop Ermia, the General Bishop and Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center.
The activities of the conference’s first day began with the Divine Liturgy, presided over by His Grace Bishop Raphael, at the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center.
Following the Divine Liturgy prayers, the sessions of the conference began.
His Grace Bishop Raphael delivered the opening lecture of the second day of the conference titled “Fathers of the Eighth Century”. His Grace Bishop Ermia delivered a lecture titled “The Umayyad State”, followed by the lecture given by His Grace Bishop Moussa titled “Characteristics of the Christian People”. His Grace Bishop Makarios delivered a lecture titled “Monasticism”. Monk Aliazer of Saint Samuel gave a lecture titled “Saints and Martyrs of the Eighth Century”.
After the opening session of the conference, lectures were delivered by various orators; Archpriest Monk Benyameen of A-Muharraq spoke about “The War of the Icon”, Prof. Dr. Girgis Saleh spoke about “The Eighth Century according to the Writings of Bishop Youannes of Al-Gharbiya”. As for “The Relationship between History and Doctrine”, it was delivered by Archpriest Bishoy Helmy. Prof. Dr. Adel Fakhri spoke about “Antiquities and Arts of the Eighth Century”. Father Youssef Al-Homi delivered a lecture titled “Figures and Historians of the Eighth Century”.
It is noteworthy that the activities of the Ninth Conference on Ecclesiastical History “The Eighth Century: Difficulties and Transformations” continues along today and tomorrow starting at 8 a.m. at the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center.