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 – …
Saint Mark and the Church of Alexandria
The Greatness of Alexandria Alexandria was the cultural capital of the world when St. Mark arrived there. Its famous School was the centre of science and philosophy with a library filled with hundreds of thousands of books. The population of Alexandria was estimated to be from half to three quarters of a million,(1) who were Egyptians, Greeks, Jews, Romans, Ethiopians, Nubians and other races. Its Religious Status The people St. Mark faced were a complex – …
Treasures of the Fathers: Stewards of the Mysteries of God
Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” After he had cast down their spirit, mark how again he refreshes it, saying, “as ministers of Christ.” Do not then, letting go the Master, receive a name from the servants and ministers. “Stewards;” he says, indicating that we ought not to give these things unto all, but unto whom it is due, and to whom it is – …
Repentance
As sin is separation from God, repentance then is returning to God. God says: "Return to me, and I will return to you" (Malachi 3:7). When the prodigal son repented, he returned to his father (Luke 15:18-20). True repentance is a human longing to return to the origin from which it was taken. It is the desire of a heart that stayed away from God, and felt that it stay away any longer. As sin – …
Family Planning
Family Planning means that the family plans to have children according to its economic and social conditions, as well as according to its ability to care for the children spiritually, economically, and socially. The family’s role is not limited only to having children, but more essentially to raising the children well. The family’s awareness of her responsibility towards raising her children is essential. For the Church, the core of family planning is centralized in the – …
From the Recommendations of The Committee for the Affairs of the Monasteries
There is an increase in the number of individuals, who pose as monks, and despite being stripped of their monastic order, persist in wearing the monastic garments. Therefore the committee recommends “that the fathers the metropolitans and bishops should make their priests and flock aware that these individuals should not be dealt with nor accepted in the homes. It is also necessary to confirm who the person wearing the monastic or clerical garment really is. – …
What Does the Incarnation Mean For Us Today?
It is true that the Incarnation of Christ is a historic event; he actually appeared on earth as a man, and lived in a certain time period, but how are we to benefit from this appearance? How do we benefit today from our Lord’s Incarnation? Are we merely antique and history collectors in our church, or do these events have an actual meaning for us? When someone starts giving us information on a very high – …
The Divine Transforming Grace
The following article was published in The Ecumenical Review, vol. 56, No. 3, July 2004. The Ecumenical Review is the quarterly journal of the World Council of Churches. In Porto Alegre, Brazil, thousands of Christians will gather for ten days to pray in one voice and with one spirit: “God, in Your grace, transform the world.” This is the theme of the ninth assembly of the World Council of Churches, which will be held in – …
Practicing Christianity: Passages from the Letters of Saint Paul
The Letter to the Romans “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good, acceptable and perfect.” (12:2). “Let your love be without hypocrisy.” (12:9). “Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse them” (12:14). Live in harmony with one another. Do not be arrogant, but associate with those who are – …
The Holy Spirit in the Church of the Apostles
The Holy Spirit was the One who gave the necessary power for the work of preaching. The sending of the Holy Spirit was a promise from the Lord (John 14:26, 15:26, 16:7), however, despite this He said to them, “Behold, I send the Promise of My Fr. upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:29). Where will this power come from? He said – …