Feast of the Ascension
The Feast of the Ascension is celebrated on the fortieth day after the feast of the Resurrection, always on a Thursday. In this feast we recall Him Who raises and lifts us up to sit with Him in heaven (Ephesians. 2:6). Quote: For after having gone down hence into Hades, and come up again to us, He ascended again from us into heaven, His Father addressing Him, and saying, “Sit on My right hand, until – …
Paschal Letter for the Glorious Feast of the Resurrection 2009
My Beloved, the Blessed Children of the Holy Church, Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! Today, we rejoice in hope as we celebrate the Glorious Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the midst of today’s culture of despair, which is prevalent throughout the world, we as Christians nonetheless rejoice in hope. The Feast of the Resurrection is a source of everlasting joy and hope in the midst of – …
The Joyous Fifty Days
The church celebrates the Holy Fifty Days after the Lord’s Resurrection from April 20 through June 7, 2009. Quote: But when our Lord rose from death and trampled it down, when He bound the strong man and set man free… He died to restore life to us; He was buried to raise us up. Quote Author: Pope Alexander of Alexandria (d. 326)
The Role of Women in the Church (Part III)
THE OFFICE OF DEACONESS Oftentimes in our Church girls wonder why they can not be ordained as deaconesses. It is hard to argue against their ability to learn and chant the hymnology of the Church (al-han) as well as the boys. In order to answer this question, as Orthodox Christians, we have to clarify the service (ministry) of the ordained deacon (male diaconate), as well as discuss the service (ministry) of the deaconess (female diaconate) – …
Friendship
Actually friendship is a vital part of young people’s lives today. They cannot do without their friends. They would feel so threatened if they lost their friends. It is a natural part of growing up. Everyone needs Friends; even adults cannot do without certain friends. So, it is a human need. Rarely do we find someone who does not have a couple of friends, especially in the teenage years. I am worried however, that perhaps – …
Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is considered to be one of the most serious issues which society faces in the modern age, for addiction is the destruction of man and the loss of the most valuable thing that society possesses, namely, youth. It is an expression of the frustration and the pain from which the community suffers. Addiction and crime are two sides of the same coin, and they are a threat to humanity at large. Addiction is – …
The Meeting of the Patriarchs of the Middle East Oriental Orthodox Churches
In the Name of the Fr., the Son, and the Holy Spirit We, Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka 1, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East and Catholicos Aram 1, Catholicos of the Armenians of the Great House of Cilicia, together with us the members of the preparatory committee of this meeting, give thanks to God for bringing us together at the – …
The Care of a Servant
Excerpts from a talk given to the servants of the Diocese at St. George’s church on August 24, 2000 Our Lord God said to His disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you and you will be witnesses to Me in all Judea, Samaria, and all the earth.” How can I be a witness to the Lord? This is the question. You may be a witness through your own life, through – …
The Strength of God's Children (Part 1)
God’s children should be strong because they were created in His image and likeness (Gn 1: 26); and God is powerful. We say about Him “Holy is the Lord God Almighty”; therefore, they should be strong like Him. In the book of Numbers, when God ordered Moses to take a census of the people, this was restricted to young men who can go to war (Nu 1: 3). When the Song of Solomon talks about – …
The Apostles’ Fast
May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. On the Fifth of Abib we celebrate the “Feast of the Apostles.” In preparation for this feast I would like to share some thoughts concerning the apostles and the establishment of the early church. It is my prayer that all will draw closer to God, to an understanding of the apostles, and to those who received instruction from disciples of the apostles. “And – …
Divine Grace at Work in the Human Personality
One of the loveliest truths about Christianity is that it does not try to eliminate man’s individual traits of any type. On the contrary, the grace of God works in every type of trait to produce many benefits, advantages, and blessings, whether for the one who possesses these traits, or for his family, his church, and his country. The Holy Spirit, who descended on the disciples in the upper room in the form of a – …
The New Vision and the Resurrection
The Easter’s Message 2006. I want to greet you with Easter, which is announcement of the Only Begotten Son’s Glory, after His crucifixion and the defeat of death giving true life for who believe in Him… His Resurrection announced to humans their resurrection in Him to open the door of eternal life for us, to give a clear crossing for Humanity through Him with Him to Eternal Life…then Humans can stand in front of this – …