The Coptic monks once lived in peace in the Egyptian eyalet of the Persian Empire. Around this time, a monk of considerable influence rose to power and gained favor from the then Sultan to build a Cathedral for Coptic Christians in the Eyalet.
The Cathedral flourished over the years and even rivaled the nearby Mosque, both in believers and grandeur. This was the golden age of Christianity in the Middle East, and soon enough, the monk responsible was made abbot of his monastery. he oversaw the production of candles, rosaries, and fortifications throughout the abbey.
The shahs, however, did not look upon this kindly. They criticised the Sultan and his decision to disgrace their home religion. The Sultan just brushed them aside, far too preoccupied with trade and economics. The shahs, filled up to their heads with anger, conspired with the emirs and caliphs of the east to assassinate the Sultan and rid Persia of the infidels once and for all.
On a bleak, dreary night; one of the shah's rogues climbed up the Sultan's study. Hidden in the black of his silk and the black of the night, the assassin plunged a saber into the Sultan's throat, thus ending the Sultan.
After a decisive forced abdication, the shahs took over and hunted down the Coptics like dogs. As the monks, brothers and the faithful who survived retreated and took sanctuary in the Cathedral, the abbot planned their escape. They armed themselves with whatever they had: staves, stick, dirks, and candleholders. They fought bravely and barely escaped with their lives. The Shahs' men then razed the cathedral, tore down the minarets and cloisters and cracked the bells and grails.
Outcast into the night, the brothers sought solace and meditated in the desert. They where wise men and took comfort in the fact that a faith is not a structure, nor a name. Faith was the people who remained faithful, even in the most trying times. The shahs may think they have eradicated the Coptics, but as long as the men and women who carry the cross and Christ within them live, the Faith lives on with them...
The Cathedral flourished over the years and even rivaled the nearby Mosque, both in believers and grandeur. This was the golden age of Christianity in the Middle East, and soon enough, the monk responsible was made abbot of his monastery. he oversaw the production of candles, rosaries, and fortifications throughout the abbey.
The shahs, however, did not look upon this kindly. They criticised the Sultan and his decision to disgrace their home religion. The Sultan just brushed them aside, far too preoccupied with trade and economics. The shahs, filled up to their heads with anger, conspired with the emirs and caliphs of the east to assassinate the Sultan and rid Persia of the infidels once and for all.
On a bleak, dreary night; one of the shah's rogues climbed up the Sultan's study. Hidden in the black of his silk and the black of the night, the assassin plunged a saber into the Sultan's throat, thus ending the Sultan.
After a decisive forced abdication, the shahs took over and hunted down the Coptics like dogs. As the monks, brothers and the faithful who survived retreated and took sanctuary in the Cathedral, the abbot planned their escape. They armed themselves with whatever they had: staves, stick, dirks, and candleholders. They fought bravely and barely escaped with their lives. The Shahs' men then razed the cathedral, tore down the minarets and cloisters and cracked the bells and grails.
Outcast into the night, the brothers sought solace and meditated in the desert. They where wise men and took comfort in the fact that a faith is not a structure, nor a name. Faith was the people who remained faithful, even in the most trying times. The shahs may think they have eradicated the Coptics, but as long as the men and women who carry the cross and Christ within them live, the Faith lives on with them...
