Christianity in Sohag Governorate

Christianity is the religion of a major part of the population in Sohag Governorate in Egypt. Minya Governorate, Asyut Governorate, and Qena Governorate also have sizable Christian populations.

## Overview

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Important Christian landmarks in Sohag Goverorate include White Monastery (Deir el-Abyad) and the Red Monastery (Deir el-Ahmar) of the Copts.[1] Sohag is the seat of a bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. A diocese of Sohag under the Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts exists.

## History

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Monk and prophet Shenute (about 350–465; Abbot of the White Monastery) was a key figure in the struggle against idolatry.[2] The governorate was the site of violent clashes of Islamists versus the government.[3]

### Recent history

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Security forces (SSI) arrested over 1,200 Coptic Christians in Sohag on the 15th of August 1998.[4]

There were riots between Copts and Muslims of Arab tribes in 1999.[5] In 2000, 21 Christians were killed in an attack by Muslims from Arab tribes.[6]

## Notable people

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The late Patriarch Stéphanos II Ghattas of the Coptic Catholic Church, a cardinal, was born in Sohag Governorate.[7]

## See also

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* Christianity in Minya Governorate

## References

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1. ^ "Sohag - I monasteri copti". www.egittopercaso.net (in Italian). Retrieved 2018-03-22.
2. ^ Fakultät, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Evangelisch -Theologische. "Centrum für Geschichte und Kultur des östlichen Mittelmeerraums". egora.uni-muenster.de (in German). Retrieved 2018-03-22.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
3. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-10-07. Retrieved 2011-07-24.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
4. ^ "Persecution in Sohag, Egypt Islamism Exposed". www.sullivan-county.com. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
5. ^ "islam: unterdrueckung andersglaeubiger ..." www.kunstnet.de. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
6. ^ "10. Tribal Fanaticism reigns supreme in southern Egypt | Arab West Report". www.arabwestreport.info. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
7. ^ "ZENIT - Papst Benedikt würdigt verstorbenen Patriarchen der koptisch-katholischen Kirche". Archived from the original on 2012-02-07. Retrieved 2011-07-24.