A Coptic Narrative in Egypt

Youssef Boutros Ghali

A short walk from the glistening Nile nestled in a dusty Cairo street lies the Coptic Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, known locally as the Boutrosiya. If one were to enter through one of the seven doors, walk down the columned central aisle past Venetian mosaics and silk curtains, they would find the tomb of Boutros Pasha Ghali. Resting on two steps of black marble, decorated with colourful crosses, are written his last words: 'God knows that I never did anything that harmed my country'. The first Copt to be awarded the title of Pasha, the career of Boutros Pasha Ghali inextricably linked his family's fate to that of Egypt. From early whispers of independence to the last Mubarak government and the United Nations, the Boutros-Ghali's have not only been a force in the political, cultural and religious life of Egypt, but internationally. This book traces the illustrious history of this family from 1864 to the present day. Through assassinations, wars and elections, it illuminates the events that have shaped Egyptian and Coptic life, revealing the family's crucial role in the creation of modern Egypt and what their legacy may mean for the future of their country.

Unique history of an illustrious Egyptian family that charts the role they played in shaping modern Egypt.

Family Tree viForeword ix1 Boutros Pasha Ghali 32 Naguib Pasha Boutros Ghali 733 Wassif Pasha Boutros Ghali 894 Youssef Bey Boutros Ghali 1215 Merrit Bey Naguib Boutros Ghali 1276 Gueffrey Naguib Boutros Ghali 1477 Dr Boutros Youssef Boutros Ghali 1518 Wassif Youssef Boutros Ghali 1819 Raouf Youssef Boutros Ghali 18710 Dr Youssef Raouf Boutros Ghali 19111 The Boutrosiya Church 201Notes 225