Christianity
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global pop ...
is the religion of a major part of the population in
Sohag Governorate
Sohag Governorate is one of the governorates of Egypt. It is located in the southern part of the country (Upper Egypt), and covers a stretch of the Nile Valley. Since 1960, its capital has been the city of Sohag. Prior to that, the capital was th ...
in
Egypt
Egypt ( ar, مصر , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Medit ...
.
Minya Governorate
Minya Governorate ( ar, محافظة المنيا ') is one of the governorates of Upper Egypt. Its capital city, Minya, is located on the left bank of the Nile River.
Etymology
The name originates from the chief city of the governorate, origi ...
,
Asyut Governorate
AsyutAlso spelled ''Assiout'' or ''Assiut'' ( ar, أسيوط ' , from ' ) is the capital of the modern Asyut Governorate in Egypt. It was built close to the ancient city of the same name, which is situated nearby. The modern city is located at ...
, and
Qena Governorate
Qena Governorate is one of the governorates of Egypt. Located in the southern part of the country, it covers a stretch of the Nile valley. Its capital is the city of Qena.
Overview
The rate of poverty is more than 60% in this governorate but re ...
also have sizable Christian populations.
Overview
Important Christian landmarks in Sohag Goverorate include
White Monastery
The Coptic White Monastery (), also The Monastery of Abba Shenouda () and The Athribian Monastery () is a Coptic Orthodox monastery named after Saint Shenouda the Archimandrite. It is located near the Upper Egyptian cities of Tahta and Sohag, a ...
(Deir el-Abyad) and the
Red Monastery
The Red Monastery () or The Monastery of Apa Psoi () is a Coptic Orthodox monastery named after an Egyptian saint called Psoi () or Pishoy () (who is not to be confused with the famous Saint Pishoy). It is located near the Upper Egyptian city of ...
(Deir el-Ahmar) of the
Copts.
Sohag
Sohag ( , ), also spelled as ''Sawhāj'', ''Suhag'' and ''Suhaj'', is a city on the west bank of the Nile in Egypt. It has been the capital of Sohag Governorate since 1960, before which the capital was Girga and the name of the governorate wa ...
is the seat of a bishop of the
Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria
The Coptic Orthodox Church ( cop, Ϯⲉⲕ̀ⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲛ̀ⲣⲉⲙⲛ̀ⲭⲏⲙⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲟⲥ, translit=Ti.eklyseya en.remenkimi en.orthodoxos, lit=the Egyptian Orthodox Church; ar, الكنيسة القبطي ...
. A diocese of Sohag under the Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts exists.
History
Monk and prophet Shenute (about 350–465; Abbot of the White Monastery) was a key figure in the struggle against idolatry. The governorate was the site of violent clashes of Islamists versus the government.
Recent history
Security forces (SSI) arrested over 1,200 Coptic Christians in Sohag on the 15th of August 1998.
There were riots between Copts and Muslims of Arab tribes in 1999. In 2000, 21 Christians were killed in an attack by Muslims from Arab tribes.
Notable people
The late Patriarch
Stéphanos II Ghattas
Stéphanos II Ghattas ( ar, إسطفانوس الثاني غطاس) (January 16, 1920 – January 20, 2009), was an eparch of the Coptic Catholic Church. From 1986 to 2006 he served as the Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria. He was also a ...
of the Coptic Catholic Church, a cardinal, was born in Sohag Governorate.
See also
*
Christianity in Minya Governorate
References
{{Reflist
Sohag Governorate
Christianity in Egypt