A Coptic monument to survival destroyed..............

[dimbear]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324108204579022951847863272.html


Egypt's Coptic Church—to which this church in modern-day Delga belonged—had refused to bow to imperial power and Rome's leadership over the nature of Christ. Constantinople was adamant it would force its will on the Copts. Two lines of popes claimed the Seat of Alexandria. One with imperial blessing sat in the open; the other, with his people's support, often hid, moving from one church to the other. Virgin Mary Church's altar outlasted the Byzantines. Arabs soon invaded in A.D. 641. Dynasties rose and fell, but the ancient building remained strong, a monument to its people's survival.

Virgin Mary Church was built underground, a shelter from the prying eye. At its entrance were two ancient Roman columns and an iron door. Inside were three sanctuaries with four altars. Roman columns were engraved in the walls.
*********
You can guess how it all ends, in a pile of rubble with a mocking sign from the Muslim Brotherhood over it. Accurate guess.

[hrmjustin]

1. Horrible story.

People have no sense of right or wrong.

[Xipe Totec]

2. Monumental Irony. nt

[rug]

3. It will be easier to rebuild than the Buddhas of Bamiyan.