Fasting

Pastoral Message of H.G. Bishop Serapion for the Sixth Sunday of the Great Lent

His Grace Bishop Serapion
| Monday, March 15, 2010 | No comments.

On March 21, 2010, (12 Baramhat 1726 A.M.) the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria observes the Sixth Sunday of the Great Lent, in which we remember how we have been enlightened through baptism.

Pastoral Message of H.G. Bishop Serapion for the Fifth Sunday of the Great Lent

His Grace Bishop Serapion
| Monday, March 8, 2010 | No comments.

On March 14, 2010, (5 Baramhat 1726 A.M.) the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria observes the Fifth Sunday of the Great Lent, in which we profess our Lord Jesus Christ as the source of all healing for our bodies and souls alike. We also remember Bethsaida as a symbol of our baptism by which we are healed of our illnesses.

Pastoral Message of H.G. Bishop Serapion for the Fourth Sunday of the Great Lent

His Grace Bishop Serapion
| Monday, March 1, 2010 | No comments.

On March 7, 2010, (28 Meshir 1726 A.M.) the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria observes the Fourth Sunday of the Great Lent, in which we remember how our Lord Jesus Christ broke all barriers to lead the Samaritan woman to the light of His knowledge and grant her the Living Water.

Pastoral Message of H.G. Bishop Serapion for the Third Sunday of the Great Lent

His Grace Bishop Serapion
| Sunday, February 21, 2010 | No comments.

On February 28, 2010, (21 Meshir 1726 A.M.) the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria observes the Third Sunday of the Great Lent, in which we remember the Father embracing and kissing the neck of the Prodigal Son who returned to him in sincere repentance.

Pastoral Message of H.G. Bishop Serapion for the Second Sunday of the Great Lent

His Grace Bishop Serapion
| Tuesday, February 16, 2010 | No comments.

 On February 21, 2010, (14 Meshir 1726 A.M.) the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria observes the Second Sunday of the Great Lent, in which we remember our Lord Jesus Christ overcoming temptation and evil in the wilderness as He fasted for us forty days and forty nights.

Pastoral Message of H.G. Bishop Serapion for the Preparatory Sunday of the Great Lent

His Grace Bishop Serapion
| Friday, February 5, 2010 | No comments.

On February 8, 2010, (1 Meshir 1726 A.M.) the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria begins observance of the Great Holy Fast, also known as the Great Lent.

Let Us Obey the Trumpet of God

Message of the Week
| Saturday, January 2, 2010 | No comments.

"It is well, my beloved, to proceed from feast to feast; again festal meetings, again holy vigils arouse our minds, and compel our intellect to keep vigil unto contemplation of good things.

The Meaning of the Great Lent

His Grace Bishop Serapion
| Friday, May 1, 2009 | No comments.

Great Lent is considered the holiest fast since our Lord Jesus Christ Himself had fasted it. Therefore, during Great Lent we follow the example set by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who fasted on our behalf forty days and forty nights (Matt. 4: 2). Also during Holy Week, which comes after the 40 days, we live the Passion of Christ day by day and hour by hour. Because of the significance and holiness of Great Lent, the Church designated a week of preparation to precede the 40 days. The Church is teaching us to prepare for Great Lent in a spiritual manner.

Treasures of the Fathers: 2nd Sunday of Great Lent-Temptation Sunday

Saint Cyril of Alexandria
| Thursday, April 30, 2009 | No comments.

The Second Sunday of the Great and Holy Fast: On the Mountain of Temptation (Matins: Luke 4:1-13)

And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God’" (Luke 4:3-4).

Anthology of the Fathers' Sayings on Fasting

Father Antonios Henein
| Wednesday, April 29, 2009 | No comments.

Note: Many of the following sayings and quotations deal with forgiveness of others and reconciliation with them. This is because Lent is a sacrifice offered to our Lord, and since He ordered us before offering a sacrifice to: "Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." (Mt 5:24) This is also why the Church chose the reading of Mt 6:14 for the Pre-Lent Sunday, where it says: "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."