Coptic Egypt: 2000 Years of Christianity

The Copts, the native Christian community of Egypt, have a culture, a language and a church with ancient roots. Having survived Roman persecution and Byzantine rule, they have co-existed with Islam for fourteen centuries. This program visits two of the oldest desert monasteries in Egypt to observe religious practices and a way of life that have changed remarkably little since the beginnings of Coptic Christianity. It also explores the religion's iconography and the art, artifacts and textiles it has inspired.