Journey Back to Eden.pdf - St Mark Coptic Orthodox Church Chicago

74 DECEMBERfor her. She is delighted! An older woman, she takes great pleasurein recalling these memories of her childhood.Her house is open and hospitable to many. The Kamal-Hannasare a family famous in the region among the Christians, and evenamong the Moslems, for their hospitality and graciousness. Theyare extravagant in their generosity, according to the customs of theold ways.Emil’s parents threw a party for him that evening and manypeople came to offer their congratulations. There were severalwomen working in the kitchen. One of them, I noted in particular,is Muslim. She was brought in for the occasion because manyguests were expected. She pulled me into the kitchen for a momentto show me a rosary in her purse. She explained to me that sheloves Mary and she loves Christians and that she wishes she hadsomehow been raised in a Christian country. Then her husbandwould not divorce her, or threaten to divorce her, she said. I didnot have the heart to tell her that, in so-called “Christian” countries,divorce is very common. But among the Copts in Egypt it isnot; it is strongly, strongly discouraged. So Muslim women oftenadmire the relative peace of the Christian wife who is not intimidatedby the threat of divorce. That alone, the Muslim womansaid, makes the Christian wife the equal of her husband.The well-wishers came to congratulate Emil, one after theother, and they expressed their thanks to me. Quite a few of themwere even more excited at the thought that I might help them ortheir family members get to the United States as well. The pressureto spirit people to America only increases as a result of thisinitial success. Alas!Of Rock Concerts and Papal AudiencesDECEMBER 17, WEDNESDAYI went off this evening to the Cathedral of St. Mark in Cairowhere Pope Shenouda was giving his Wednesday evening conferenceto the youth of the city. Thousands of young people come forthis weekly audience with the man they call “our Pope.” He standson a platform, or he sits on a large chair, answering questions theyhave placed in a box. For an entire hour and a half he has them inthe palm of his hand. They applaud him wildly. He has such