Among the series of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center Book issues
Recently issued: “Israel… the Muslims and Christians” Book
By: His Holiness Pope Shenouda III
Introduction by:
His Grace Bishop Ermia
The General Bishop and Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
February 2013
Foreword
Israel and the Divine promise… Are they the chosen people of God? Is God’s covenant with them unlimited and unconditional? What did the Old and New Testaments state about them? What is God’s wisdom in choosing a people for Himself? Jerusalem…?
All these queries were dealt with by the Triple Beatified His Holiness Pope Shenouda III through satisfactory answers based on a deep study of Israel’s history throughout the Holy Bible in its two Testaments; the Old and the New, introduced in four lectures given by His Holiness in several places. The first article, titled “Israel in Christianity” – contains the script of a lecture he gave in 1966 at the Syndicate of Journalists Office – It represents an enjoyable journey throughout the history of the Jewish nation and its relationship with God, and the eventual rejection of them when the Gentiles joined the faith.
The second article, titled “Christianity and Israel” contains a review of the potential return of the Israelites to the land of promise after the captivation, and whether such return was implemented or is being implemented now. The article is the script of a lecture given by His Holiness the Pope at the Syndicate of Journalists in 1971.
“Jerusalem, the City of Peace” is the title of the third article, given at the International Seminar at the Arab League in 1995, discussing Jerusalem’s status to Christians, and that the true peace would prevail only through restoring rights to their holders.
While “Muslims and Christians Together for Jerusalem’s Sake” is the script of His Holiness the Pope’s word at the opening session of a seminar bearing the same name in 1996, in which His Holiness speaks about the fallacy of “a chosen people of God”, expressing his rejection of occupation, Judaization and Internationalization.
We introduce this book, a gift dedicated to the soul of our virtuous father, the Triple Beatified His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, who had defended the Case of Jerusalem in his articles, words, dialogues and meetings. We shall not forget that he rejected entering Jerusalem unless he would be accompanied by his brother, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar. We present it to readers in order to realize the status of Jerusalem in Christianity, praying that God would keep and bless our Egypt, delivering it from all evil and the form of evils.
28th of Apip 1728 AM
4th of August 2012 AD
The departure of St. Mary Magdalene
Bihsop Ermia, the General Bishop and Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
