Part Thirteen: A History of Christianity in Northern and Eastern Africa
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by Fr. Matthew Hawkins
The fall of Carthage during the Arab-Byzantine Wars (698 AD)The year was 698 AD, and the Byzantine forces suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Arab Muslims. The once-thriving Christian metropolis, the heart of North African Christianity, was now silent, its streets haunted by the echoes of a bygone era. This defeat marked the beginning of the dramatic fall of Christianity in Northern Africa, a story of conquest, faith, and survival.
The Arab conquests swept through North Africa. In the early 7th century, the Islamic prophet Muhammad's teachings had united the Arab tribes under a single banner, and their armies were now unstoppable. By 642 AD, Alexandria, the jewel of Egypt and a vital center of Christian thought, had fallen. These conquests' swift, decisive nature left the Byzantine Empire reeling and the Christian communities in North Africa vulnerable.
Carthage, the illustrious city that had once rivaled Rome, was a critical target. Since the 2nd century, it had been a stronghold of Christianity, where saints like Augustine of Hippo had preached and written. But now, the once-thriving churches stood empty, their congregations dispersed or lost to the relentless tide of change.
In the chaotic aftermath of the Arab conquests, the Christian communities faced a stark choice: conversion, exile, or subjugation. The imposition of the jizya, a tax levied on non-Muslims, was both a financial burden and a symbol of their subjugation. Many chose to convert to Islam, lured by the promise of lower taxes and better social standing. Over time, the Arabic language and Islamic culture became dominant, eroding the Christian identity that had flourished for centuries.
Amid this turmoil, the churches and monasteries that had been the bedrock of Christian life began to crumble. The ecclesiastical structure, weakened by decades of conflict and isolation, struggled to maintain its influence. The once-powerful bishops of Carthage and Alexandria found themselves presiding over shrinking congregations, and their voices were drowned out by the call to prayer from newly erected minarets.
Yet, it was not only the Arab conquests that led to the decline of Christianity. The indigenous Berber tribes of North Africa played a significant role in this transformation. With their rich and diverse cultural heritage, the Berbers had long resisted Roman and Byzantine control. As Islam spread, many Berber groups found a new sense of identity and unity in the Islamic faith. The Kharijite movement, a radical Islamic sect, gained a foothold among the Berbers, further accelerating the decline of Christian influence.
The story of Christianity in North Africa was also marked by moments of profound personal tragedy and heroism. Many Christians faced persecution and martyrdom with unyielding faith. Stories of their sacrifices spread, inspiring some to cling even more fiercely to their beliefs, while others saw the writing on the wall and chose to convert. The pressures were immense: societal, economic, and spiritual. What would you do under similar circumstances?
As the centuries passed, the Christian communities dwindled further. By the 12th century, the vibrant Christian presence in the Maghreb was little more than a memory. Yet, in Egypt, the Coptic Christians managed to persevere. Their resilience became a testament to the enduring human spirit, surviving centuries of hardship and maintaining their faith through sheer tenacity. Has your journey of faith and encounter with Christ been strong enough to give you the fortitude to persevere even when it’s hard to live the gospel and the future of the Church seems uncertain?
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