About Us

The Coptic Orthodox Papal Manuscript Library (COPML) is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and sharing of ancient Coptic Christian manuscripts — sacred texts that are foundational to the faith, theology, history, and liturgical life of the Coptic Orthodox Church. 

COPML’s mission is to safeguard rare and historically significant manuscripts for future generations and to unlock their spiritual, cultural, and academic value. These texts are vital witnesses to early Christianity, Coptic theology, biblical interpretation, and the history of the ancient Egyptian Church. 

We envision a world in which these manuscripts are:

• Physically preserved against decay, damage, and loss;
   
• Carefully restored using best-practice archival methods;
   
• Beautifully shared with scholars, students, and faith communities;
   
• Celebrated as living treasures that connect the past with the present.
   

COPML protects and restores manuscripts that are often centuries old and mostly unavailable elsewhere. These include biblical manuscripts, liturgical texts, patristic writings, and other early Christian works. Their survival expands understanding of Christianity’s development and the lived faith of historic Coptic communities. 

The manuscripts preserved by COPML are not only spiritual treasures — they are primary sources for scholars of theology, biblical studies, linguistics, and early church history. Ancient Coptic texts continue to illuminate:

• the evolution of Christian practice and belief,
   
• the use of the Coptic language in liturgy and thought, and
   
• early interpretive traditions that shaped Christian identity.
   

This dual nature — as religious and academic heritage — positions COPML as a critical resource for both faith communities and research institutions.

COPML employs state-of-the-art preservation and restoration techniques to protect manuscripts from physical degradation while maintaining their historical authenticity. This work is essential to ensure that these fragile texts survive climate threats, aging, and handling by future generations. 

Beyond conservation, COPML actively fosters education and appreciation of Coptic heritage through:

• Workshops and exhibitions
   
• Public programs
   
• Opportunities for volunteers and students
  These programs help widen the audience for Coptic history and liturgical tradition, promoting deeper engagement with ancient Christian roots.
   

While rooted in the Coptic Orthodox tradition, the manuscripts COPML preserves have universal cultural and historical value. Coptic texts are crucial for understanding early Christian diversity, language development, and Eastern Mediterranean history — connecting communities worldwide with a shared human heritage. 

Strategic investment in COPML supports:

• Cultural preservation of irreplaceable heritage;
   
• Academic research that can drive scholarship and publications;
   
• Faith heritage education for parishes, schools, and the public;
   
• Digital access and future-focused archives that broaden reach beyond physical walls;
   
• Interfaith and intercultural understanding, as ancient texts resonate across communities.
   

COPML represents a high-impact intersection of religion, history, culture, and education — strengthening both the Coptic Orthodox Church and the broader appreciation of world Christian heritage.