RSS

Category Archives: Saints

St Paul Of Tamouh!

24 Dec

 

Abba Paul was from Tamouh. Because he was inclined since his young age to his solitary life, he went to Ansena Mountain where he lived with his disciple Ezekiel, who was the witness of his virtues.

  

Living in his exceeding love to the Lord Christ, to whom is the glory, he exhausted his body with asceticism, forsaking earthly things, fasting and prayer in a way that exceeds humanendurance. For this, he deserved that the Lord appear to him and bless him for his conduct in this life, for such is the behavior of those who are perfect and who fight against the flesh, the world and the devil till they overcome them. St. Paula said to the Lord, “All that is due to Your care, You have created us and redeemed us by Your death for us the undeserving sinners.” The Lord Christ comforted him and strengthened him. Read the rest of this entry »
 
Leave a comment

Posted by on 2010/12/24 in Saints

 

The Feast Of St Barbara!

19 Dec
It seems as if the whole world was collapsing throughout the Roman Empire. Disease was spreading in every village and town, and even the mighty emperor had been slain by his own troops. Looking about his palace, Dioscuros, who lived in Asia Minor wondered if anything was secure in these times. Although he was the governor of a large
and wealthy city located near the Persian border, Dioscuros could not help but worry. Perhaps, he thought, the only true help lay in the gods – in Jupiter, Appollo, and Mercury. Dioscuros had always been loyal to his pagan gods, ever since his childhood.
It was then that Dioscuros’ eye caught sight of the large tower located in the courtyard of his palace. He smiled when he saw it, for here was a tower no enemy, no disease, no danger could ever penetrate. At the top of the tower lived his daughter, Barbara. Beautiful, virtuous, Barbara was his only child and his one special joy.
Barbara had spent all of her life in an apartment in the pinnacle of the tower. Although she had committed no crime, she was never allowed to leave her tower. Read the rest of this entry »
 
Leave a comment

Posted by on 2010/12/19 in Saints

 

The Titles Of St Mary!

11 Dec
In this discussion, we will focus on the titles of Saint Mary, most of which come from the Old Testament. There is no woman about whom the prophets prophesied more about than the Virgin Mary. Many titles of Saint Mary are contained in the Old Testament. Many of her titles are recited in the Sunday Psali for the Virgin and the Sunday Theotokia in the Midnight Psalmody.
Saint Mary is the one whom the Church elevates over the rank of the archangels, as we say in the hymn, “O Mary, you have been raised above the cherubim, and have become higher than the seraphim, O Mary.”
  • Theotokos – Theotokos is a Greek word meaning Mother of God. This title was given to her in the Third Ecumenical Council in Ephesus in 431 AD. Saint Kyrillos the Great insisted on that title in his response to the heresy of Nestorius. Saint Elizabeth, her first cousin, addressed her with this title as she said, “the mother of my Lord” (Luke 1:43). Read the rest of this entry »
 
Leave a comment

Posted by on 2010/12/11 in Saints

 

St John Of The Ladder!

23 Oct

Saint John of the Ladder is honored by the Church as a great ascetic and author of the renowned spiritual book called THE LADDER, from which he is also called “of the Ladder” (Climacus).

There is almost no information about St John’s origins. One tradition suggests that he was born in Constantinople around the year 570, and was the son of Sts Xenophon and Maria.

John went to Sinai when he was sixteen, submitting to Abba Martyrius as his instructor and guide. After four years, St John was tonsured as a monk. Abba Strategios, who was present at St John’s tonsure, predicted that he would become a great luminary in the Church of Christ. Read the rest of this entry »

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on 2010/10/23 in Monasticism, Saints

 

Keriakos – Martyr at 3!

12 Sep

St. Yulita was born from a royal family in the city of Iconium, Turkey, where St. Paul and St. Barnabus preached and many Greeks and Jews believed. St. Yulita was a wealthy, beautiful and virtuous woman, who remained close to the church and found pleasure and happiness in serving the poor and needy. She would always visit those in captivity and preach to them the word of God. She was married to a righteous man and because of their piety the Lord was glorified in their daily lives.

Our Lord Jesus Christ then granted them a child called “Keriakos”, which is derived from Greek, meaning, ‘Lord’ or Master’. The parents nurtured the child in the church where he was taught spiritual virtues and the true Christian Orthodox faith. When he was just a year and a half old, he would declare, “I am Christian,” “I am Christian.” Read the rest of this entry »

 
2 Comments

Posted by on 2010/09/12 in Saints

 

The Assumption of St Mary!

22 Aug

On this day, was the assumption of the body of our pure Lady St. Mary, the Mother of God. While she was keeping vigil, praying in the Holy Sepulchre, and waiting for the happy minute of her liberation from the bonds of the flesh, the Holy Spirit informed her of her forthcoming departure from this vain world. When the time drew near, the disciples and the virgins of the Mt. of Olives (Zeiton) came and the Lady was lying on her bed. Our Lord, surrounded by thousands and thousands of angels, came to Her. He consoled her, and announced her with the everlasting joy which was prepared for Her. She was happy, and she stretched out her hands, blessed the Disciples, and the Virgins. Then, she delivered up her pure soul in the hand of her Son and God, Jesus Christ, Who ascended her to the higher habitations. As of the pure body, they shrouded it and carried it to Gethsemane. Read the rest of this entry »

 
1 Comment

Posted by on 2010/08/22 in Saints, Sunday School

 

St Febronia the Virgin

08 Jul

Today the Coptic Church commemorates the departure of the Virgin Martyr Febronia who uffered during the reign of Emperor Diocletian in the third century. She was raised at a monastery in Sivapolis (Assyria). The head of the women’s monastery was the abbess Bryaena, who was St. Febronia’s aunt. Being concerned about her niece’s salvation, she assigned her a stricter form of life than the other nuns.

According to their monastic rule, the sisters put aside their other duties on Fridays and spent the whole day in prayer and the reading of Holy Scripture. The abbess usually assigned the reading to St. Febronia. News of St. Febronia’s pious life spread throughout the city. The illustrious young widow Hieria, a pagan, began to visit her, and under her guidance and prayers, Hieria accepted Holy Baptism, as well as bringing her parents and other relatives to Christianity. Read the rest of this entry »

 
1 Comment

Posted by on 2010/07/08 in Saints

 

The 10 Lives of St Paul

06 Jun

1. Life of Dedication

“Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. (Act 9:1-2)

Read the rest of this entry »

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on 2010/06/06 in Saints, Sunday School

 

The Apostolic Passion!

27 May

The apostles served the Lord Jesus and later provided leadership to the first generation Christian believers. They were of such importance that the word “apostle” occurs approximately seventy-nine times in the New Testament. Acts of the Apostles portrays the apostles as leaders of the first church in Jerusalem during the Church’s first decade. The apostles truly established the church and with their fast we contemplate the glory of God, their faith, and hardships in which they overcame.

I would like to share with you the, “Letter of Ignatius to the Romans.” This is an authentic ancient letter with versions in both Coptic and Arabic. Read the rest of this entry »

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on 2010/05/27 in General Spirituality, History & Tradition, Saints

 

St Monica – The Patron Saint of Alcoholics & Mothers!

20 May

Our knowledge of St Monica comes almost entirely from the writings of her much-loved son, the great Doctor of the Church, St. Augustine of Hippo. His relationship with his mother was a close one, especially during Monica’s last years. In Book IX of St. Augustine’s he gives us many details of her life, and expresses his gratitude for her devotion in moving terms. Monica was born about the year 332 in Tagaste, North Africa, of a Christian family of some substance. We are given one episode of her childhood which suggests a possible origin for her firmness of will. She was sometimes sent down to the cellar to draw wine for the family, and fell into the habit of taking secret sips. She developed such a passion for wine that before long she was drinking great draughts of it whenever opportunity offered. One day a family slave who had been spying on the little girl denounced her as a wine-bibber, and Monica, covered with shame, gave up the habit. Soon afterwards she was baptised, and henceforth seems to have led a life of irreproachable virtue. For this reason she is know to be the Patron Saint of Alcoholics and Mothers!

Read the rest of this entry »

 
1 Comment

Posted by on 2010/05/20 in Saints

 

Mother Dolagy & Her Four Sons

19 May

Martyrdom is the greatest sacrifice any human can offer. Mother Dolagy lived in the village of Esna in Upper Egypt during the reign of Bishop Amonios Bishop of Esna .She was considered to be one of the greatest martyrs who excelled in faith and power. She is considered as the patron Saint of Esna and many regions of Upper Egypt.

After the birth of her fourth son, her husband passed away causing her to become a widow. Her sons names were Soris, Horman, Abonoufa and Shentas who ploughed the land as skilful farmers. Mother Dolagy the great excelled greatly in holding the words of the Gospel dear to her heart which showed great love to all.

In regards to herself and her 4 sons they were pillars of faith to all the people in the village of Esna. Moreover history records that she was extremely rich however she was also very giving, giving much of her money to poor and orphaned in the village. However during that time there reigned an emperor by the name of Decledianos who sent Arianos the governor to Esna because of the big spread of Christianity throughout all the lands of upper Egypt. Read the rest of this entry »

 
4 Comments

Posted by on 2010/05/19 in Saints

 

St Mark the Apostle – Beginning & End

08 May

Today the Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of St Mark the Apostle, the founder of the  Coptic Orthodox Church.

St Mark features prominently in the bible as well. For example the Lord chose St. Mark’s house as the one where they ate the Passover before His crucifixion. In his house the very first Eucharist was held and so St. Marks house is actually considered to be the very first Church!

Furthermore in St. Mark’s house  the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost.

St. Mark’s cousin was St. Barnabas and his fathers cousin was St. Peter.

I have selected two interesting stories about this wonderful saint – the beginning and end, hope you enjoy!

Read the rest of this entry »

 
28 Comments

Posted by on 2010/05/08 in Saints

 

St Andrew the Disciple

05 May

St. Andrew was a native of Bethsaida in Galilee. He worked in the family fishing business with his brother, St. Peter. The name “Andrew” literally means “strong man,” but he was also surnamed “Protoklitos” because he was the first who was called upon by Christ.

CLICK HERE to Continue Reading the life of St Andrew the Disciple!

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on 2010/05/05 in Saints

 

Christians at the Time of Prayer!

24 Mar

At another time, as the son of a king, he confides in the Son of God as his own father, and the doors are opened to him, and he goes into many mansions. And the farther he goes in, they are again opened to him in proportion, from one hundred mansions to an hundred others, and he is rich: and the more he is enriched, there are again others, and those newer wonders, discovered to him. And he is entrusted, as the son and heir, with things that cannot be spoken by human nature, nor pronounced by the mouth and tongue.

CLICK HERE to continue reading Homily 5 of St Macarius the Great!

 
2 Comments

Posted by on 2010/03/24 in Saints

 

The way of the Hermit!

22 Mar

The first type of monk is the pure life of withdrawal and seclusion: the eremitic life. This is found in particular in Lower Egypt, as well Syria, but there only after the fifth century. The great father of this form of life is St. Anthony.

CLICK HERE for the article!

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on 2010/03/22 in Monasticism, Saints, St Noufer

 

St Ephraim The Syrian – How Many Times Have I Promised?

18 Mar

 ”How Many Times Have I Promised, Yet Every Time I Failed to Keep My Word. But Disregard This According to Your Grace.”

This is the most amazing prayer of contemplation on Man’s Life as accounted to us by St Ephraim The Syrian.

A truly moving tribute to God’s Endless Love and Forgiveness!

Plus a stern warning for man to repent!

CLICK HERE to read the Prayer

God Bless, Bish

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on 2010/03/18 in Saints

 

St Macarius the Great – How Christ Changes Man

12 Mar

 “For if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” For our Lord Jesus Christ came for this very reason, that he might change, renew, and create afresh this soul that had been perverted by vile affections, tempering it with his own divine Spirit. He came to work a new mind, and a new soul, and new eyes, new ears, a new spiritual tongue; yea, to make them that believe in him new men, that he might pour into them the new wine, which is his Spirit.

CLICK HERE to continue reading what St Macarius says on this insightful Issue!

Enjoy

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on 2010/03/12 in Saints, Unique

 

ST ISAAC THE SYRIAN on FASTING

09 Mar

“Fasting is the champion of every virtue, the beginning of the struggle, the crown of the abstinent, the beauty of virginity and sanctity, the splendor of chastity, the commencement of path of Christianity, the mother of prayer, the well-spring of sobriety and prudence, the teacher of stillness, and the precursor of all good works.”

Being the Feast Day of Pope Cyril VI, It is only appropriate that we look at the very man who shaped his thoughts and ideas about Christianity. When asked by anyone who his favourite saint was, Pope Cyril VI would without hesitation say St Isaac the Syrian.

CLICK HERE to read some of ST Isaac the Syrians thoughts on Fasting.

 

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on 2010/03/09 in Saints, Unique

 
 
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 67 other followers