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| Evangelical Church of Egypt (Synod of the Nile) | |
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| Classification | Eastern Protestantism |
| Orientation | Reformed theology |
| Theology | Evangelicalism |
| Polity | Presbyterian polity |
| Region | Egypt and diaspora |
| Origin | 1957 (autonomous), 1958 (independent) Egypt |
| Branched from | United Presbyterian Church of North America |
| Congregations | 314 |
| Members | 250,000 |
| Official website | synodmediacouncil.com |
TheEvangelical Church of Egypt (Synod of the Nile) (also called theEvangelical Presbyterian Church in Egypt,Arabic: الكنيسة الإنجيلية المشيخيةal-Kanisah al-Injiliyyah al-Mashyykhia) is the largestEastern Protestant denomination in Egypt. It blendsReformed theology withCoptic cultural heritage and plays a major role in education, media outreach, and interdenominational dialogue across the Arab world. The church is known for its unique liturgical style, its leadership in Protestant education, and its influence through congregations such asKasr El Dobara Evangelical Church.It started as a mission of theUnited Presbyterian Church of North America amongCopticEgyptians in the late nineteenth century. The Evangelical Church of Egypt became autonomous in 1957 and officially independent in 1958. It has eight presbyteries, 314 congregations, and about 250,000 members.[1][2]
Emile Zaki is a pastor and also the general secretary of the EvangelicalPresbyterian Church of Egypt, also known as the Synod of the Nile. The Synod of the Nile has about 250 congregations worldwide, including a few worshiping groups without their own building. It helps with running hospitals, clinics, social service and employment agencies, retreat centers, day schools, and its own seminary. The Evangelical Presbyterian Church founded the nation's first primary school for girls.[3]
To train pastors the denomination maintains the Evangelical Presbyterian Seminary inCairo. It is the oldest Protestant Seminary in the country.[4]
The Evangelical Church of Egypt (Synod of the Nile) practices a modified form of theCoptic Rite, blendingReformed theology with Arabic liturgical poetry, communal prayer, and musical elements rooted in Egypt’s ancient Christian tradition. Services are conducted in Arabic and often feature slow, chant-like melodies, poetic invocations, and spontaneous intercessory prayer. Churches such asKasr El Dobara Evangelical Church exemplify this fusion, offering worship that is both evangelical and deeply Eastern.
A typical service includes extended musical worship led by choirs, scripture readings, sermons, and communal hymns. Gestures such as raised hands, kneeling, and the sign of the cross are common, reflecting the church’s Coptic cultural heritage. The liturgical tone is reverent and emotionally expressive, often culminating in moments of repentance and national intercession.
This Reformed Coptic Rite is practiced across many parishes within the Synod of the Nile and is considered a unique expression ofEastern Protestant Christianity.[5][6]
In 2025, a widely viewed service atKasr El Dobara Evangelical Church featured a sermon by Rev. Dr. Sameh Maurice that called the church to national repentance and spiritual awakening. The service included poetic worship, communal intercession, and a concluding hymn in a Coptic-Middle Eastern tone, reflecting the church’s unique liturgical identity. The event was broadcast onAlkarma TV and became a symbol of Eastern Protestant revival in Egypt.
The sermon emphasized themes of spiritual urgency, national intercession, and the restoration of joy, peace, and authority through prayer. Maurice’s message, delivered with tears and trembling voice, called the church to awaken from spiritual sleep and reclaim its divine calling. The congregation responded with communal prayer, emotional worship, and a renewed commitment to the Reformed Coptic Rite.
This service is considered a defining moment in the modern history of the Evangelical Church of Egypt, showcasing its blend of Reformed theology and Coptic spirituality.[7][8]
TheseEvangelical Christians operate in a context far different fromNorth America. Between 88 and 90 percent of Egyptians are Muslim. Of the 10-12% who are Christian, over 90-92 percent areCoptic Orthodox. The 8-10 percent of non-Orthodox Christians includeCatholics and several Protestant groups. However, a steady trickle of Orthodox and Catholic Copts are joining the Evangelicals because they are seen as (among other things) less laden with heavy ritual, more generous with welfare and more flexible over marriage and divorce.[9]
The church is a member of theWorld Communion of Reformed Churches,[10]Middle East Council of Churches, and theEgypt Council of Churches, which formed in February, 2013.[11]A partner church is theChurch of Scotland.[12]
Among others, theGustav-Adolf-Werk (GAW) as theProtestant Church in GermanyDiaspora agency actively supports persecuted Protestant Christians in Egypt with aid projects.[13]
The church currently claims to own property held by theAnglican Diocese of Egypt.[14]
Evangelical Christians belonging to this group form a tight-knit community where everybody knows everybody and share common rituals like serving as "Beit Feel" inBeit El-Salam in Agami and, more recently, going toKasr El Dobara Evangelical Church's hip camps known asWadi Sports Camps. The early evangelicals played a role in Egypt's education and this was documented in Paul Sedra's book: From Mission to Modernity. The biggest evangelical church in Egypt is Kasr El Dobara Evangelical Church (KDEC). The most famous Evangelical choir in Egypt is "The Better Life Team." Rafiq Habib, the son of the former head of the Synod, Samuel Habib, was the Vice President of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party.[15]
The Synod owns 4 schools in Egypt: Ramses College, New Ramses College, British Ramses College and Al Salam school in Assiut (formerly known as Presley Memorial Institute, founded by former American Evangelical missionaries). The sons and daughters of the Egyptian Evangelical community tend to attend these schools.
Evangelicals of the Arab world (mainly Egypt and Lebanon) air most of their content onSat-7.
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