What is the purpose of serving in something such as a Coptic club at a university?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, the purpose of a Coptic Club at a university is far more than social gathering or cultural preservation. It serves as a vital extension of the Church within a secular environment. Its mission is rooted in the preservation of the faith, the practice of remembrance of our identity, and the fulfillment of the high calling of service.

The purpose of serving in such a capacity can be defined by the following pillars:

1. Guarding the "Orthodox Mind"

A university is often a place of conflicting ideologies, secularism, and moral relativism. The primary purpose of a Coptic Club is to provide a "spiritual harbor" where students can maintain their Orthodox mindset.

• Defense of the Truth: It serves as a space to study the Holy Scriptures and the writings of the Fathers, such as St. Athanasius and St. Cyril, to counter the "demythologizing" or heretical views often encountered in academic settings (such as the denial of the literal Flood or the physical Resurrection).
• Intellectual Sanctification: It reminds the student that their education is not for worldly gain alone, but to be sanctified for the glory of God.

2. Liturgical Life and "Anamnesis" Outside the Temple

While the Divine Liturgy happens in the sanctuary, the spirit of the Liturgy must be lived everywhere.

• Prayer in Fellowship: By organizing the praying of the Agpeya or Coptic praises, the club brings the "sacramental presence" of Christ into the secular campus.
• Living the Calendar: It ensures that students stay connected to the fasts, feasts, and the "chronological eternity" of the Church (like Pascha), even amidst midterms and academic pressures.

3. Service as "The Bond of Perfectness" (Love)

As noted in the writings of St. John Chrysostom, the "root" of all service is love.

• Supporting the Brethren: The club serves the "Body of Christ" by supporting fellow students who may be struggling spiritually or emotionally. This is a practical application of the commandment to "bear one another’s burdens."
• Outreach and Witness: It acts as a lighthouse to those who do not know the True Faith. It provides a straightforward, non-politically correct presentation of the Coptic Orthodox faith to a world that is often confused by the divisions of Protestantism or the errors of non-Christian religions.

4. Preservation of Heritage and Language

As highlighted by scholars like Dr. Adeeb Makar, the Coptic language is "one of the most beautiful and cleverly structured" in the world.

• Identity: A Coptic Club serves to keep the youth connected to their roots through the study of the Bohairic dialect and the traditional melodies of the Church.
• Hymnology: It provides a venue for students to learn the precision of Coptic hymns, following the standard set by our great Moalemeen (like Moalem Ibrahim Ayad or Moalem Gad Lewis), ensuring the "distinct notes" of our worship are not lost in a Western context.

5. Cultivating Future Servants of the Church

The university years are a formative time. Serving in a Coptic Club prepares the youth to become the future deacons, Sunday School teachers, and leaders of the Church.

• Accountability: As mentioned by H.H. Pope Tawadros II, the ministry grows through the hands of those who work diligently. By taking responsibility in a club, a student learns the discipline of service and the importance of working in "quietness and stillness."

Summary

The purpose of a Coptic Club is to ensure that a student's identity is not "Coptic" on Sundays and "secular" on Mondays. It is an active Anamnesis—a making-present of the Kingdom of God on a university campus. It exists to prove that Jesus Christ is the Lord of all places, including the lecture hall, and that His Church is the only vessel (like the Ark of Noah) that can safely carry the soul through the "floods" of modern life.