Blasphemy and Takfir in Christianity — From the Bible, the Fathers, the Synaxarium, and Coptic Hymns
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How to Navigate This Note Part One — Blasphemy and Atonement in the Bible — deuterocanonical Biblical texts using the concept of the infidel Part Two — Blasphemy and Atonement in the Lives of the Fathers and Persecution — ten Coptic saints and martyrs whose accounts use the infidel label for emperors and governors Part Three — Blasphemy and Atonement in Christian Books and Writings of the Fathers — sixteen patristic and ecclesiastical works using the concept Part Four — Blasphemy and Atonement in the Books of Daphne and the Coptic Library — ten liturgical and hagiographic entries from the Coptic Synaxarium Part Five — Infidelity Sung in Hymns — nine Coptic liturgical hymns in which the word “infidel” appears in praise of martyrs
The concept of labeling another as an infidel — calling someone a !!kafir!! or, in its Christian equivalent, an “infidel” or “unbeliever” — is not an Islamic invention but a well-established category in Christian theological, hagiographic, liturgical, and hymnological literature, appearing throughout the Bible including the deuterocanonical books, the lives of the Coptic saints and martyrs, the writings of the Church Fathers, the official Synaxarium of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and the hymns sung in Coptic churches to this day. All sources cited below are drawn from the official Coptic Orthodox reference website St-Takla.org.
Part One — Blasphemy and Atonement in the Bible
The deuterocanonical books of the Christian Bible use the vocabulary of blasphemy and infidelity in a manner that closely parallels the Islamic concept of kufr:
Sirach 16:7 In the assembly of sinners a fire burns, and in the ungodly nation wrath burns.
1 Maccabees 7:9 He and the blasphemous Alcimus, whom he had made the priesthood, and commanded to take vengeance on the children of Israel.
2 Maccabees 4:13 And the inclination to the customs of the Greeks, and the imitation of the manners of foreigners, was strong in the ungodliness of Jason, who was an ungodly man, and not a high priest.
2 Maccabees 8:14 And others sold all that remained to them, and they prayed to the Lord to deliver them from the ungodly Nicanor, who sold them before the meeting.
2 Maccabees 13:4 But the King of kings stirred up the wrath of Antiochus against that ungodly man; Lysias was convinced that the man was the cause of all these misfortunes, so he ordered him to be taken to Berea to be killed according to the custom of the country.
Part Two — Blasphemy and Atonement in the Lives of the Fathers and Persecution
The official hagiographic record of the Coptic Orthodox Church applies the label of infidel consistently to pagan Roman emperors, Persian kings, and governors who persecuted Christians. The following ten accounts are all sourced from St-Takla.org.
1 — Pope John III
During the governance of Said ibn Yazid over Alexandria, a group of Greeks led by Theophanes informed the governor falsely against the Patriarch, accusing him of arrogance and excessive wealth. The governor summoned the Patriarch and handed him over to soldiers. Among those who received him was a man called Sa’d, who was merciless and hard-hearted. He took him to his house on the first day of Good Friday to torture him until he paid one hundred thousand dinars. When the infidel heard that the Patriarch refused to speak a word of distress, he became extremely angry and ordered that a copper vessel filled with coals be brought. He made the Patriarch stand before him over the fire until the fat of his feet melted — and the Patriarch did not move and did not utter a word of distress.
(Source: st-takla.org — Life of Pope John III)
2 — Pope Cyril I
He is the nephew of Pope Theophilus, the 23rd Patriarch. He was raised by his uncle in the Theological School of Alexandria, then sent to the Monastery of Saint Macarius. His uncle ordained him a deacon, appointed him a preacher, and made him his scribe. He responded to the slander of the infidel Emperor Julian in his ten works.
(Source: St-Takla.org — Life of Pope Cyril I)
3 — Didymus the Blind
Because of his many works and the many disciples he had — both blind and sighted — he was called “the blind and seeing one.” When this great scholar grew old, his grief was deep for the Christians who were under the persecution of Julian the infidel. He would spend entire days in prayer and fasting so that God would lift this calamity from his people. His body became exhausted from the abundance of knowledge, learning, and teaching. He slept, and while he was asleep he heard a voice from above saying: “Get up and tell Athanasius that the palace is dead.” He wrote down the date and the hour in which he heard this voice, and it was exactly the same time in which Julian the infidel was killed.
(Source: st-takla.org — Life of Didymus the Blind)
4 — The Martyr Domicius
Shapor Arsaces II, the Persian king, was peaceful with the Roman state and paid tribute to Emperor Constantine, but he attacked the infidel Emperor Julian and prepared an army to fight the Romans. Julian offered sacrifices to his idols in the city of Cassius, which is six miles from Antioch, where the idol Apollon is located. The infidel emperor headed out, accompanied by fortune-tellers and magicians, and the Roman army marched to meet the Persians.
(Source: st-takla.org — Life of the Martyr Domicius)
5 — Apolides, the Roman Patriarch
This saint was a virtuous and perfect man. His news reached the ears of the infidel King Claudius Caesar, who arrested him and beat him severely.
(Source: st-takla.org — Life of Apolides)
6 — The Martyr Basililia
She was arrested when she was nine years old. This was during the days of the infidel Diocletian.
(Source: st-takla.org — Life of the Martyr Basililia)
7 — The Martyr Eusaginus
He was a soldier during the reign of King Constantine the Great. This soldier lived until he was one hundred and twenty years old, and he reached the time of the infidel Julian.
(Source: st-takla.org — Life of the Martyr Eusaginus)
8 — Margaret of Antioch
She grew up in the city of Antioch. Diocletian was the ruler of the country and was known for his ferocity in persecuting Christians. He saw her beauty and decided to take her as his wife no matter what it cost him. When the soldiers arrested her, she began to pray, saying: “O Lord Jesus Christ, save me from the hand of this unclean infidel.”
(Source: st-takla.org — Life of Margaret of Antioch)
9 — The Martyrs of Esna
The governor crossed the city with his soldiers from the sea gate until he reached the southern gate, from which the masses had gone to Mount Agathon with their bishop to worship. At this gate he found an old woman sleeping on her bed, her age and health not allowing her to accompany the people. He asked her: “Where did the people of the city go?” She answered: “When they heard of the infidel governor Arianus, who came here to kill the Christians, persecute them, and force them to worship idols, they went to Mount Agathon.”
(Source: st-takla.org — Martyrs of Esna)
10 — The Martyr Claudius
He was beloved by all the people of Antioch for his good image and courage. Because of their love for him, they made a picture of him and hung it on the gate of the city of Antioch. When Diocletian became an infidel and incited persecution against the Christians, this saint agreed with Saint Buktor, son of Romanus, to be martyred for the sake of the name of Christ.
(Source: st-takla.org — Life of the Martyr Claudius)
Part Three — Blasphemy and Atonement in Christian Books and Writings of the Fathers
The following sixteen patristic and ecclesiastical works, all sourced from the official Coptic Orthodox website, use the vocabulary of infidelity and blasphemy in their theological and historical discussions. The sources include works by major Church Fathers, Coptic patriarchs, and priests whose writings are part of the official Christian heritage.
1 — Book: “Give to Caesar What Is Caesar’s, and to God What Is God’s”
(Series of Articles by Anba Sawirus, Patriarch of Antioch — Youssef Habib)
Anba Sawirus, Patriarch of Antioch — quoted in “Give to Caesar What Is Caesar’s” If you find someone who swears by our Lord and God Jesus Christ, then he is the rejected dinar, as he deviates from the true character towards an infidel by the duality of the two natures after the unspeakable union. Immediately ponder this question: “Whose image is this?” And ask if it is not truly from God, for whoever is so is separated from God.
(Source: st-takla.org)
2 — Sayings of Saint Cyprian the Martyr
Saint Cyprian the Martyr — on Trust in the Promise of God Behold, God speaks to you. Do you hesitate without faith with the thinking of an infidel? Behold, God promises you immortality and eternity by your departure from this world, do you doubt?!
(Source: st-takla.org)
3 — The Book of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem — Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty
Chapter Fifteen: The Almighty — God the Great and Powerful:
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem — The Almighty, Chapter 15 Riches, gold and silver do not belong to the devil as some think, but “all the riches of the world belong to the believer, but the unbeliever has not a penny” (Prov. 17:6 LXX). No one is an unbeliever like the devil.
(Source: st-takla.org — Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty’s edition)
4 — The Book of the Imitation of Christ — Monk Thomas of Kempis
Thomas of Kempis — The Imitation of Christ It is useful for me that “shame has covered my face,” so that I may seek my consolation in You and not in people. And I also learned from that, to be afraid of your judgments that examine, for you strike the righteous with the unbeliever, but not without justice and fairness.
(Source: st-takla.org)
5 — Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty’s Interpretation of the Book of Revelation
Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty — Tafsir Revelation, Chapter 2 Jezebel was an unbeliever and a pagan in her inner thought, pushing others toward evil.
(Source: st-takla.org)
6 — Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty’s Interpretation of the Book of Micah, Chapter 4
Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty — Tafsir Micah, Chapter 4, citing Saint Ephrem the Syrian “And you, O tower, the shepherd of the daughter of Zion, your time will come.” These words refer to Zedekiah the infidel king.
(Source: st-takla.org)
7 — The Book of the Martyrs Abba Sarapamon and Abba Didymus — Saint Youssef Habib
Saint Youssef Habib — The Book of the Martyrs Abba Sarapamon and Abba Didymus After four days, the infidel ruler rose and sat on the platform of judgment. Then he ordered that the Christians in prison be brought to him. They brought them to him in rows and stood before him. The blessed Abba Didymus the priest was also with them. When the infidel ruler saw them, he became furious.
The descriptions of the infidelity of the same ruler are repeated in other pages of the same book:
“And he will surely rejoice, all the saints, for you and for your struggle in the name of Christ against this infidel ruler.” (Chapter 6)
“But do not let me die now before I am disgraced by this infidel ruler and his idols made by man.” (Chapter 7)
“The infidel ruler was enraged and ordered that his fingernails and toenails be pulled out; then they brought hot vinegar and ashes and poured them on his wounds.” (Chapter 10)
(Source: st-takla.org — Youssef Habib)
8 — Research on the Story of the Search for the Holy Cross — A. Pauline Todry
A. Pauline Todry — Research on the Search for the Holy Cross Other sources from which I drew the story of the search for the Holy Cross mention that Queen Helena found the cross during the time of Bishop Macarius, Bishop of Jerusalem, with the help of a Jewish person named Judas. This Jew converted to Christianity, was ordained a bishop of Jerusalem under the name Kyriakos, and was then martyred during the era of Julian the Infidel.
(Source: st-takla.org — Pauline Todry)
9 — The Book of the Comfort of the Believers — Saint Archdeacon Habib Girgis
Saint Archdeacon Habib Girgis — The Comfort of the Believers Whoever is afflicted with such a calamity finds his consolation only in faith. For the infidel finds no consolation in anything. Because he believes in nothing and does not lean on the eternal rock of the ages.
(Source: st-takla.org)
10 — The Book of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem — Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty
Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty — The Book of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, on the Holy Spirit As we said before, he was followed by the infidel “Mani,” this one who gathered all the evils of heresies. This one who represents the vile abyss of destruction, gathering the principles of all heretics, and worked and taught with new errors, and dared to call himself “the Comforter” whom Christ promised to send.
(Source: st-takla.org)
11 — Introduction to Patristic Science: Patrology — Father Athanasius Fahmy George
Father Athanasius Fahmy George — Introduction to Patristic Science: Patrology The heretical infidel Arius attended, and at the time of the council he was nearly sixty years old, and with him were his supporters, including Eusebius, Bishop of Nicomedia.
(Source: st-takla.org)
12 — “Quick Glimpses in the Gospel of Mark” — Father Boutros Al-Baramousy
Father Boutros Al-Baramousy — Quick Glimpses in the Gospel of Mark The Jews revolted against the Romans, desiring liberation and independence in the year 70 AD, so they sent an army led by Titus the Roman who besieged Jerusalem for about four months, then demolished its walls, fortresses, and the temple and burned everything in it. When they wanted to renovate the temple — during the reign of the infidel Emperor Julian — they brought building materials.
(Source: st-takla.org)
13 — Letter of Pope Philotheos the Sixty-Third
Pope Philotheos — Letter on the Nature of the Divinity To say that the Divinity inevitably suffers or dies is a corrupt, bad and blasphemous statement, because the nature of the Divinity is simple, spiritual, not material, free from matter and not composite, and therefore unlimited and incomprehensible, and it is the nature of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, so it is not subject to pain and death.
(Source: st-takla.org — Life and Letters of Pope Philotheos)
14 — Synaxarium of Pope Kyrollos, the Pillar of Faith
Synaxarium — Pope Kyrollos, the Pillar of Faith When the heresy of Nestorius, the Patriarch of Constantinople, appeared — he who assumed the throne in 428 AD and denied that the Virgin Mary is the Mother of God — an ecumenical council of two hundred bishops met in the city of Ephesus. Saint Cyril, Pope of Alexandria, headed this council and discussed Nestorius, showed him his blasphemy, and threatened him with excommunication and exclusion from his throne if he did not recant his corrupt opinion.
(Source: st-takla.org)
15 — The Apostle Saint Mark — Pope Shenouda
Father Farman the Jesuit, quoted in The Apostle Saint Mark by Pope Shenouda — from “Murooj Al-Akhbar” And God blessed his zeal in a wonderful way. Because the land that was covered by the darkness of unbelief and vice was transformed by the preaching of Saint Mark the Evangelist into a heavenly paradise in which the sun of justice shines.
(Source: st-takla.org)
16 — The Inevitability of the Divine Incarnation — Helmy El-Qums Yaqoub
Ignatius of Antioch, quoted in The Inevitability of the Divine Incarnation — Helmy El-Qums Yaqoub They say about him (Christ) that he is a body without a soul, and they say that the divinity is his soul. Do you see that the divinity left him and he died in the body in its entirety? Let now those who say this blasphemy be exposed, and let them hear the word of the Lord that my soul is sorrowful even to death.
(Source: st-takla.org)
Part Four — Blasphemy and Atonement in the Books of Daphne and the Coptic Library
The official Synaxarium and hagiographic library of the Coptic Orthodox Church contains the following accounts, all using the label of infidel for pagan rulers and persecutors of Christians.
1 — Daphne, Eighth Day of Mesori — Consecration of the Church of Saint Barbara
Coptic Synaxarium — Eighth Day of Mesori There was in the time of the hypocritical king, Maximianus, the son of Satan. An infidel man who worshipped the detestable and unclean idols. He had a believing daughter. She is Saint Barbara, the wise girl. She rejected this easy time. She hoped to win eternal life. She did not fear her father’s tyranny, nor his cruelty, nor his punishment. Rather, she confessed Jesus Christ.
(Source: st-takla.org — Eighth Day of Mesori)
2 — Daphne, Third Day of Baouneh — Repose of Saint Martha the Ascetic
Coptic Synaxarium — Third Day of Baouneh This blessed man wept over Julius the king for his worship of idols and his evil deeds. The king answered him, saying: “If I am an infidel and a heretic to you, since I worship the crucified One, I let them torture you with the greatest torture and punishment, until you abandon his worship.”
(Source: st-takla.org — Third Day of Baouneh)
3 — Alexander, Bishop of Jerusalem
Coptic Synaxarium — Alexander, Bishop of Jerusalem He continued to shepherd the people of Jerusalem in the best way until Maximianus the infidel arrested him and tortured him with all kinds of tortures, then imprisoned him. When Gordianus reigned, he released him.
(Source: st-takla.org)
4 — Daphnar, Third Day of Alep — Departure of Anba Kyrollos, Patriarch of Alexandria
Coptic Synaxarium — Third Day of Alep This is for the sake of righteous zeal. He was participating in helping with the wise Patriarch in demolishing the heretical heretics — those who became first and head in the renewal of Nestorius the infidel to God, the madman in truth.
(Source: st-takla.org — Third Day of Babah)
5 — Daphnar, Nineteenth Day of Babah — Theophilus and His Wife in Fayoum
Coptic Synaxarium — Nineteenth Day of Babah These two were in the time of persecution, which was stirred up by Diocletian. They were residing in the city of Fayoum. As they cried out before the hypocritical governor: “We are Christians, we believe in our Lord Jesus.” And that unclean infidel tortured them and shed their blood for the sake of Christ.
(Source: st-takla.org — Nineteenth Day of Babah)
6 — Epsalia — The Testimony of the Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles
Coptic Epsalia — Saints Peter and Paul Great is the dignity of the apostles, our father Peter and our teacher Paul, who accepted the labor of tortures for the name of Jesus Christ. Our humble father Peter completed his struggle well on the blessed fifth day of Abib in the days of the infidel Nero.
(Source: st-takla.org — Epsalia of Saints Peter and Paul)
7 — The Prayer of Adam for the Group of Female Martyrs
Coptic Prayer of Adam — Female Martyrs And also the infidel king spoke to them saying: “Deny your angel who is called Christ.” After this, the brides did not disobey the king and believed in the blessed Christ, the King of Glory.
(Source: st-takla.org — Prayer of Adam)
8 — Saint Anastasia
Coptic Synaxarium — Saint Anastasia While they were going, this saint saw the soldiers of the infidel king Decius. They tortured some Christians and dragged them on the ground. Her heart burned.
(Source: st-takla.org — First Day of Babah)
9 — Saint Moses and His Sister Sarah
Coptic Synaxarium — Saint Moses and His Sister Sarah During the time of the persecution of the infidel king Syrianus, the tyrant and heretic, Moses left his monastery and went to his sister. They agreed together and came to Alexandria. They confessed Christ our God. They removed their heads and they received the heavenly crowns.
(Source: st-takla.org — Twenty-Sixth Day of Mesori)
10 — Daphnar, Eighth Day of Babah
Coptic Synaxarium — Eighth Day of Babah When the infidel Decius reigned and worshipped idols, he ordered the Christians, throughout the world, to worship his gods.
(Source: st-takla.org — Eighth Day of Babah)
Part Five — Infidelity Sung in Hymns
The most striking evidence that the concept of infidelity is embedded in the living worship practice of Coptic Christianity — not merely in historical or theological texts — is its appearance in the hymns sung in Coptic churches during liturgical worship. The following nine hymns, all sourced from the official Coptic Orthodox website, contain the word “infidel” in their praise of martyrs and condemnation of persecutors.
1 — Hymn of Saint Refka and Her Five Children
Coptic Hymn — Saint Refka and Her Five Children In their town of Qus, they distributed their wealth in the name of their God. Refka and her children went to the infidels with all joy, and Jesus the Almighty was with them and with her. The governor saw them, was astonished and cried out: “Come, O Refka and her children, how far is your heart, return your children and I will increase you.” How many blessings. She said to him: “O infidel, we are great and our groom is capable; we refuse your gifts.”
(Source: st-takla.org — Hymn of Saint Refka)
2 — Words of Praise for the Two Martyrs Barbara and Juliana
Coptic Praise Hymn — Saints Barbara and Juliana Barbara the girl, pure and chaste, from a pagan family. Her father was an infidel; he loved her abundantly; he built her a luxurious palace.
(Source: st-takla.org — Praise of Saints Barbara and Juliana)
3 — Lyrics of a Hymn: While the Glorious Disciples Were Washing at the Supper
Coptic Hymn — The Supper While the glorious disciples were being enlightened while washing at the supper, the infidel Judas was being darkened by the disease of love of money, and he was handing you, the just judge, over to wicked judges.
(Source: st-takla.org)
4 — Words of Praise to the Martyr Demiana
Coptic Praise Hymn — Saint Demiana I chose forty virgins described as pure, and you won the grace and spoke skillfully until you made the soldiers shameful from your actions when you followed the worshiped one, O virgin and pure one. Also, Mark your father — when he followed the infidel, you turned him back with your meanings and your dazzling words.
(Source: st-takla.org — Praise of Saint Demiana)
5 — Words of Glorification of Anba Serapamon, the Martyr, Bishop of Nikos
Coptic Glorification Hymn — Anba Serapamon The treacherous devil rose up and stirred up persecution as usual with the righteous, fighting the man of jihad, so the infidel King Diocletian sought him out, so he went like a roaring lion to confront Arianus.
(Source: st-takla.org — Glorification of Anba Serapamon)
6 — Words of Glorification of the Martyr Mar George the Roman
Coptic Glorification Hymn — Saint George the Roman With his help, the brave have triumphed over the infidels, the enemies of religion, and He treated the disease with His ointment of steadfastness, so the infidels were amazed. The infidel is still in his tyranny, despite the performance of all these signs to compel him and his great infidelity. He requested that chairs be turned into trees.
(Source: st-takla.org — Glorification of Saint George)
7 — Second Words of Glorification of the Martyr Demiana
Coptic Glorification Hymn — Saint Demiana (Second) When the infidel king heard these words from her, he ordered all the soldiers to undo the hair of her head. From your torment, you infidels, you idol worshippers.
(Source: st-takla.org — Second Glorification of Saint Demiana)
8 — Words of Glorification of the Amazing Martyr Mar Mina
Coptic Glorification Hymn — Saint Mina I came to dispel your infidelity, my master the martyr Abu Mina. As for the infidel king, he ruled with his unjust judgment that they should torture the pure martyr, my master the martyr Abu Mina.
(Source: st-takla.org — Glorification of Saint Mina)
9 — Praise of Ishaq Al-Dafrawy
Coptic Praise Hymn — Ishaq Al-Dafrawy The infidel governor said that you are like a magician, so I answered him: “O Taher, I believe in the Holy One, the Savior of souls, our Master, B. Christos.”
(Source: st-takla.org — Praise of Ishaq Al-Dafrawy)
Conclusion — What These Sources Establish The concept of labeling another as an infidel — of applying a formal category of unbelief to a person or group — is not a uniquely Islamic phenomenon but a concept embedded in five distinct layers of the Christian textual tradition: the Bible itself, the official hagiographic record of the Church Fathers and martyrs, the patristic and ecclesiastical writings of major theologians and patriarchs, the official Synaxarium of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and the living liturgical hymns sung in Coptic churches to this day. All forty-six instances documented in this note are sourced from the official Coptic Orthodox website St-Takla.org. The Coptic Orthodox Church does not merely acknowledge this vocabulary in its historical memory — it sings it in its worship. Every person who raises the accusation of takfir against Islam while belonging to a tradition that chants “O infidel, we are great and our groom is capable” in its liturgical hymns is applying a standard that his own tradition refutes.