Iris Habib el-Masry (1910–1994)

By Elizabeth Staszak (Fuller Theological Seminary)

The scholar and church mother Iris Habib el-Masry (1910–1994) was a significant and perhaps often overlooked contributor to the canons of Coptic Orthodox history and theology. She was born in 1910 in Egypt and died in 1994. She is best-known for her historical works, especially her volumes known in English as The Story of the Copts. El-Masry did not only endeavour to write these volumes in her lifetime, but also wrote articles and gave lectures about the history of the Coptic church.^[1]Saad Michael Saad, “Iris Habib El-Masry: A Pioneer of Coptic Feminine Theology,” Coptic Church Review 30, no. 2 (2009): 51 She was known as the only Coptic historian of her time, and her Story of the Copts remains in high demand for reading in both Arabic and English.^[2]Dora Habib el-Masri, “Portrait of a Historian: Iris Habib El-Masri (1910–1994),” Coptic Church Review 22, no. 3 (2001): 86, 92–93. Three Coptic Patriarchs recognised her great faith and intellect, commissioning her service for the church by appointing her to various positions. In 1954, Pope Yousab II had el-Masry as his private secretary for correspondence with the World Council of Churches.^[3]Dora el-Masri, “Portrait,” 88. In 1966, Pope Kyrillos VI appointed her Counsellor to Coptic Girls.^[4]Dora el-Masri, “Portrait,” 88. In 1972, Pope Shenouda III made el-Masry a member of the committee which was to re-write the Coptic Synaxarium.^[5]Dora el-Masri, “Portrait,” 89.

Iris Habib el-Masry was guided in her writing efforts by Fr Bishoy Kamel and was commended for her scholarly, faithful efforts to document the history of the Coptic church by the beloved Fr Matthew the Poor.^[6]Dora el-Masri, “Portrait,” 88–90. The Coptic scholar Saad Michael Saad has highlighted the many hats el-Masry wore during her lifetime, including scholar, theologian, and politician^[7]Saad, “Pioneer,” 51–52. Most illuminating and less well-known are her contributions to what Saad refers to as “feminine theology,” the results of which are in line with Scriptures and the teachings of the church fathers and mothers.^[8]Saad, “Pioneer,” 53. El-Masry explores the ways in which God is described with feminine attributes in the Bible, and the roles of women in both Old and New Testaments as bearers of the Gospel, as teachers, as equal to men, and as apostles.^[9]Saad, “Pioneer,” 53–4. Though many of her works about feminine theology are unavailable in English or entirely out of print, her efforts have not been completely erased, preserved by those who knew her or were impacted by her work in and for the church.