Coptic Orthodox Church hosts fourth international scientific conference
Pope Tawadros II opened the event and an art exhibition at Saint Mark's Cathedral in Anba Roussy, the church said.
The Coptic Orthodox Church said on 8 October 2026 that Pope Tawadros II opened the fourth international scientific conference organized by the Institute of Coptic Studies at Saint Mark's Cathedral in Anba Roussy. The conference, titled “Coptic Studies and Deepening Awareness of Coptic Identity – Contemporary Reality and Future Vision,” is scheduled to run through 8 October 2026 and 9 October 2026, the church said.
Prior to the opening, the Pope inaugurated the “Glimpses of Coptic Art and Architecture” exhibition held alongside the conference, according to the church. The exhibition featured Coptic icons, icons of Indian Christian art, and models of Coptic architecture, including residential architecture, healing centers, churches, and environmental design, the church said. Professor Dr. Maged Rasmy Abdel Malek, the Dean of the Institute, delivered a speech welcoming the Pope and the attendees, while Professor Dr. Hesham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, also delivered a speech, the church said.
Former Minister of Culture (2015–2018) Helmy El-Namnam stated that the conference is being held during Egypt's celebration of the 6 October 1973 victory, which he described as a manifestation of Egyptian national identity. He noted that this conference follows another conference on Egyptian national identity held at the Library of Alexandria two weeks prior under the President's patronage, the church said. Mr. El-Namnam also said he had requested the creation of a Coptic studies center affiliated with an Egyptian university approximately 20 years ago to study Coptic identity as part of national identity.
Pope Tawadros II stated that Egypt is one of the world's oldest countries and possesses a massive book of civilization containing Pharaonic, Coptic, African, Islamic, and Arabic pages, the church said.