Cross Cultural Managment
New Cultural Experience: Coptic Orthodox
It was 8pm on the 8th of April when I arrived at the St Mary and St Merkorious Coptic Orthodox church for my cultural experience. I was a little nervous at this stage as I did not know what to expect. I was worries that I may inadvertently insult or upset the people of this culture.
I was asked if I understood the Coptic language and after stating no, I was led down to a smaller room under the main church where they would be having a service in English. I was worried that this service would not be as fruitful as the traditional mass, but upon arriving at the English service found that they were singing the service in Coptic, and that things were much different to anything that I had experienced before.
The mass had started earlier than I anticipated as there were several men in white robes that were busy at the entrance to the church. I entered the church and attempted to stand at the back out of the way until things settled down only to find that I had inadvertently made my way to the Female side of the room. A young gentleman, Anton Gali informed me of my error and led me to the front of the church on the male side of the room (Left hand side after entry). This made me feel a little stupid and gave me the impression that the room was all containing their laughter at my error.
I took in my surroundings and noticed that there was a separation of males and females in the church. There were a large number of robed people that were seated in front of the Alter; I was surprised by the vast number of robed people that were displaying what seemed to be a rank on their robes. I asked Anton if I was able to take pictures, he informed me that it was not appropriate, I have therefore attained some Church Issued Leaflets instead.
The church itself was ornate, although not to the same degree as the mass that was taking place above. The priest looked as though...
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