The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved What he meant by saying "in His bosom," he tells us a little further on, where he says, "on the breast of Jesus." It was that very John whose Gospel is before us, as he afterwards expressly declares. For it was a custom with those who have supplied us with the sacred writings, that when any of them was relating the divine history, and came to something affecting himself, he – …

From El Keraza Magazine, April 20, 2007, pp. 9-10 Congratulations my beloved brothers and sons on the occasion of Glorious Resurrection Feast, and for the grace of resurrection which God granted us to live another life in the happy eternity. I also congratulate our beloved President Mohamed Hosni Mobarak, on the great results achieved from his last tours for the best interest of Egypt and the whole Arab world, wishing him and you all the – …

Over the past few decades the American society has been rocked by the revelation of corruption and immorality in our leaders on both the state and national levels. This has all reflected on the moral fiber of our society and how we view morals and ethics. The moral impropriety of our political leaders has not only shattered our confidence in our elected officials, but has flowed into the private lives of individuals. Of course, wrong – …

In our community, some believe that organization in ecclesiastical matters leads to loss of blessings. When a person is asked to organize a project, one of the answers commonly given is, "Don’t worry, leave it and it will be blessed." Usually, when a project is proposed, it is required to lay out a plan and estimate the cost. Yet some respond by saying, "God will bless it without the need to think and plan"; it – …

In the Christian understanding, a martyr is the person, who is killed, because of his faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw this happen in Abu Korkas, where some Moslem extremists entered the church and killed the worshippers. Despite the fact that they knew nothing about them, they killed them just because they were Christians. There is also a higher degree of martyrdom, in which the person, who is suffering, is given the opportunity – …

Introduction Stem cell research has become one of decisive issues in the current presidential election. President George W. Bush’s policy is to restrict federal funding to embryonic stem cell research. In August 2002, the president decided to restrict federal funding to embryonic stem cell lines that had already been created. Bush’s policy restricted embryonic stem cell research to the clusters of cells derived from frozen embryos that would otherwise be discarded by fertility clinics. President – …

From Athanasius of Alexandria, “The Life of St. Anthony,” in A Select Library of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church. Second Series. P. Schaff and H. Wace, eds., vol. 4(New York: Scribners, 1890), pp. 195-221. ++++ You have entered upon a noble rivalry with the monks of Egypt by your determination either to equal or surpass them in your training in the way of virtue. For by this time there are monasteries among – …

"Salvation belongs to the Lord" [Ps. 3:8, NKJ]. Just as no man is from himself, so no man is saved by himself. Therefore most truly and right well does the psalm say, "O Lord, You shall save men and beasts." Why? "Even as your mercy is multiplied, O God." For You are God, You have created, You save: You gave life, You give health…"Because with You is the fountain of life." The very fountain of – …

…If it be objected to us on this subject that we ourselves are accustomed ‎to observe certain days, as for example the Lord’s day, the Preparation, the ‎Passover, or Pentecost, I have to answer, that to the perfect Christian, who is ‎ever in his thoughts, words, and deeds serving his natural Lord, God the Word, ‎all his days are the Lord’s, and he is always keeping the Lord’s day. He also ‎who is unceasingly preparing – …

An excerpt from the Book, Spirituality of the Rites of the Holy Liturgy, pp. 45-54 The Coptic Church, in its humble and meek spirit, teaches her children three types of prostration, or metanias (bowing). These are: prostrations of worship, repentance, and honor. 1. Prostrations of Worship These are the prostrations offered to God during our individual or public worship, such as at the beginning of each of the hourly prayers when we say “Lord have – …

The Jews, Judas, and Satan Let us see the course of the devil’s spite and the result of his crafty plans against Christ. The devil had implanted in the leasers of the Jewish synagogue envy against Christ, which even leads to murder. This disorder always leads, so to speak, to the guilt of murder. At least, this is the natural course of this vice. It was the way with Cain and Abel, and it clearly – …

Our knowledge of St. Cyril’s childhood education and early upbringing is quite meager. According to St. Isidore of Pelusium and church historian Socrates, St. Cyril was born in Alexandria around the year 380. However, others rely on to the chronicles of John, Bishop of Nikiu in seventh century, who states that St. Cyril’s mother and her brother hailed from Memphis, and that St. Cyril was born in the town of Theodosion, Lower Egypt, very close – …