Pilgrimage and Holy Space in Late Antique Egypt

This volume deals with the origins and rise of Christian pilgrimage cults in late antique Egypt. Part One covers the major theoretical issues in the study of Coptic pilgrimage, such as sacred landscape and shrines' catchment areas, while Part Two examines native Egyptian and Egyptian Jewish pilgrimage practices. Part Three investigates six major shrines, from Philae's diverse non-Christian devotees to the great pilgrim center of Abu Mina and a Thecla shrine on its route. Part Four looks at such diverse pilgrims' rites as oracles, chant, and stational liturgy, while Part Five brings in Athanasius's and an anonymous hagiographer's perspectives on pilgrimage in Egypt. The volume includes illustrations of the Abu Mina site, pilgrims' ampules from the Thecla shrine, as well as several maps.

'The volume is important and should be in every research library.' James E. Goehring, Religious Studies Review, 2000. 'Some aspects of pilgrimage addressed here, such as pilgrim chants, have only rarely, if at all, been discussed elsewhere…As we have learned to expect from David Frankfurter, this collection evidences a steadfast commitment to a "regional approach to Christianity and other developing religions". David Frankfurter is surely to be congratulated for bringing together a collection of essays representing a broad array of the fascinating new approaches to late antique pilgrimage.' Blake Leyerle, Church History, 2000. '…handsomely produced…an exciting collection.' Philip Rousseau, Journal of Ecclesiastical History.

David Frankfurter, Ph.D. (1990) in Religion, Princeton University, is Professor of History and Religious Studies at the University of New Hampshire. He has published extensively on Christianization in late antiquity, apocalyptic literature, and magic.