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The journey of Christianity from Jerusalem to Egypt and the subsequent growth and endurance of the Egyptian Church are the focus of a major new SAT-7 documentary for our 30th anniversary year.
The Rock, broadcasting on SAT-7 ARABIC and streaming service SAT-7 PLUS, tells the carefully researched story of how the Christian faith came to Egypt and how, as it started to spread among the people, it faced opposition from the beginning.
The 2,000-year-old faith has suffered persecution at the hands of several ruling dynasties, but it has survived and even thrived. Today, Egypt has the largest Christian community in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Tradition associates the coming of Christianity to Egypt with Mark the evangelist. Egyptian Christians passed it on to their descendants, so creating the Coptic community. Later, they were joined by European missionaries and Christian expatriates escaping wars in their own countries. These new arrivals expanded the Christian presence in Egypt and established a variety of denominations, creating more educational opportunities and introducing different styles of worship.
“The Rock is a unique production for SAT-7, bringing together key church leaders from different denominations with historians and thinkers to explore the Middle Eastern origins of Christianity,” said Maged Mounir, Executive Director of SAT‑7 Egypt. “Crucially for Egyptian viewers, the documentary showcases the longevity and endurance of the Coptic Church and the pivotal place it has in Egypt’s history.”
Unique Role of the Church
Among the high-profile contributors to the documentary are Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II, Rev. Andrea Zaki, President of the Protestant Community in Egypt, Bishop Jean-Marie Chami, representing the Melkite Catholic Church, and Sheikh Reda Ibrahim from the Islamic institute in Egypt, Al-Azhar.
Because Egypt’s Christian history is largely overlooked in educational texts, many Egyptians have little knowledge of the unique role played by the Church in the country’s national and spiritual life.
The Rock takes viewers on a journey through the centuries and up to the modern era, explaining the place of the Egyptian Church in society and the impact of Egypt’s rulers on its development and activities.
Highlighting Christian Heritage
Based on extensive research and expert interviews, the 10-part documentary uses the latest visual techniques along with reenactments of some major historical events to tell this important story.
“The Rock is a landmark production for us in our 30th year as a ministry,” said Rami Al-Halaseh, SAT-7 Arabic Channels Executive Director. “By bringing together thorough historical research with modern visual techniques, we are highlighting the Christian heritage of the MENA, especially in Egypt. This is of vital importance, as many people in this region believe Christianity to be a Western import when, in fact, it originated here and it was from here that the faith spread throughout the whole world. We hope that this production will bring a fresh perspective to those both in and outside the MENA Church.”
In the past, I didn’t believe in God, but recently I was baptized. My mother-in-law is not a Christian but supported me in becoming a Christian. We were both watching your channel when you invited us for a prayer. And she lifted up her hands and prayed with you. I was very surprised and impressed. You are making really good and effective programs. The Lord works in places you cannot always see."
