[Diocese of Egypt] The Episcopal Publishing House (EPH) of Egypt is going through a process of renewal. The quality of the books, including the artwork has improved, and many more books are being published compared to previously. This is not only good for our sales but it also strengthens the image of the Anglican Church in Egypt.

The greatest challenge for EPH is to develop new indigenous writers, but that is still a dream. For now, the focus is on translating and adapting English books that are suitable for Egypt. Since EPH made a new start, it has published books on biblical archeology, pastoral books, and St Augustin’s Confessions. ‘I believe in the Holy Sprit’ by Michael Green is now with the printer. About 20 more books are presently being prepared for publishing.

Egyptians are not great readers, so there is no mass-market for books. Therefore, EPH focuses on the leadership of the churches. The training of church leaders in theology, church management, pastoral work is central in our choice of publications. The great need for good books for those leaders makes EPH important for the building of the churches in Egypt. Our Anglican priests and lay leaders need these books, but they are also bought by the priests and leaders from the Coptic Orthodox, the Roman Catholic and the Presbyterian churches.

EPH works with a minimal staff now, because as a publishing house it tries to outsource as much as it can. The only full-time staff is  a graphic designer, and one of our priests with his part time assistant handles the management. The very recently finished ‘To be a Christian; An Anglican Catechism’ by Rev Canon JI Packer and others will soon be available in Arabic as well. We never had a proper Anglican catechism in Arabic, but we are now about to publish this. This is crucial for our churches.

For more information, please see EPH facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ArabicChristianBooks