The Agpeya

Today I got to see an old friend that I have not seen in several years. My friend Pierre is a Coptic Christian. The Coptic church is has been around almost a long as organized Christianity and it has changed very little during that time. They have traditions and practices that are ancient.

In our conversation he explained taught me a little about their faith practices. Coptics actually fast (no animal products or 'luxury foods') during the entire advent season and they have a practice known as 'praying the hours' that involves praying and reading significant scripture passages 7 times a day (8 for clergy).

A short time after our talk my friend came to my office and gave me his copy of "The Coptic book of hours" and he talked me through how Coptics faithfully pray the book.

At 3:00 I prayed through "None" which is Arabic for Nine meaning the ninth hour. It was a special experience and the readings were rich with spiritual truth. I plan to 'pray the hours' through out this Christmas season. Christmas, being the time of year when i am at my busiest I felt moved to focus on the coming celebration of the incarnation of Christ.

The Coptic church in Egypt has survived despite some of the most intense persecution found anywhere in the world and i have a huge respect for them as a group their faith should be a model for many of us who have become lazy in our faith.

I am so excited I feel like a kid a Christmas. (some would say I act like a kid a Christmas)I am expecting this practice to help me in my discipline and bring me closer to God.

Thanks Pierre