Last week after the burning of the churches in Egypt, specifically in El Minya on Aug. 14, 2013, a couple decided on Sept. 2, 2013 (after about two weeks) to do their engagement ceremony in the burned church of St. Tadros in order to take the blessing of the place that witnessed to Christ.
On the other side here in US, new Coptic couples think about getting married in other fancy Orthodox churches. When you ask them why? They will say “ we invited many and our churches are limited in space”, or they would say, “the other churches are going to appear nicely in the videos and photographs” or finally they will say, “This Church is few miles from the reception, we do not want people to drive a long distance,” although we are talking about few minutes difference.
In the Gospel of the last Sunday of the Coptic Year, when
the disciples showed our Lord the beauty of the temple, “Then Jesus went out
and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the
buildings of the temple.” Matt. 24:1 He answered and said “Do you not see all
these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left
here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Matt. 24:2 then he started
to speak about the destruction of the temple which happened at year 70 AD by
Titus, son of the Emperor Vespasian . He wanted them to think about their inner
beauty, “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21).
So in simple words Our Lord Jesus Christ told
them, you are thinking of Me being happy with the decorations and fancy
buildings, but I am not, as “Solomon built Him a house.However, the Most High
does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: ‘Heaven is My
throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me?’
says the Lord, ‘Or what is the place of My rest? Has My hand not
made all these things?’” (Acts 7: 47-50). I only live in you “For you[ are the
temple of the living God” (2 Corinthians 6:16).
a very great article ,,,, many thanks for it
ReplyDeletereally i am proud that i am from minia
we know a new meaning for the church ,,,, i know that the church is not just a building ... but it the place where jesus meet us