I Am He

I Am He: On the Thanksgiving : Coptic Christians in the US talking much about eating turkey in the Thanksgiving, as they started already the Nativity fast. The issue i...

Coptic Christians in the US talking much about eating turkey in the Thanksgiving, as they started already the Nativity fast. The issue is not about a day off from the fast. The issue is more deep. Do we know what we do? I believe if I asked St. Athanasius or St. Cyril what do you think about that? They would say This was not the Christianity which we defended it or even exiled for its sake. Do we as Christians understand the mystery of Incarnation, do we really understand “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Jn.3:16. The whole issue needs to be revisited. Why we are Christians? What our practices reflect from our faith? What is our relationship to the season in which the church is enjoying? Are our homes a sanctuary for God? Is the Name of God mentioned in our homes? Abanoub Aziz Narouz, 14 years  While we are debating about eating the Glorious turkey, Abanoub Aziz Narouz, 14 ...

I Am He: Your Crown is the Crown of Thorns, O Patriarch : On the first year anniversary of HH Pope Tawadros the II the pope of Our Coptic Orthodox Church  we say remember how the Church celebrates ...

On the first year anniversary of HH Pope Tawadros the II the pope of Our Coptic Orthodox Church  we say remember how the Church celebrates the ordination of the Patriarch by the hymn o Monogense to remind the Pope that your new service's crown is the crown of the thorns of Our l ord Jesus Christ whom "...the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Is 53:6 so the Patriarch will carry the cross of serving His people as from hands God will ask the blood of all flock. ( inspirations with additions from the book of Holy Pascha by Dr  Youhanna N Youssef ) In this hymn we say (hymn copied from  http://tasbeha.org/hymn_library/view/149 ) "O only-begotten Son, the eternal and immortal Word of God; who for our salvation did will to be incarnate of the holy Theotokos (and ever Virgin Mary) (said 2 times . Who without change became man and was crucified, the Christ God. Trampled down death by death. One of the Holy Trinity, who is glorified with the Father and the Holy ...

I Am He: “Love your enemies” By Pope Shenouda : “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44) Pope Shenouda Translated by Fr. Bishoy Lamie, edited by Jessica Ryder-Khalil    HH the Late P...

“Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44) Pope Shenouda Translated by Fr. Bishoy Lamie, edited by Jessica Ryder-Khalil    HH the Late Pope Shenouda the III in front of his cave in the desert when he was living a life of solitude “Love your neighbor” is a phrase written in the Law:  “L ove your neighbor as yourself,” (Leviticus 19:18). However, the phrase “hate your enemy” is not written in the Law. It is a mistaken human understanding.  Our Lord Jesus Christ taught its opposite for two reasons. First, God does not command us to hate in His Law, but rather to love. Second, love and hate cannot coexist in one heart. As the Apostles says “For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). The Lord calls for love even towards enemies, so it is not enough to bear with your enemy. What is more, to love them is the higher calling. We notice in the saying of the Lord, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who ...

Ministry of Reconciliation By Abba Epiphanios The Bishop of St. Macarius The Great At Scetis  (Wadi Natrun - Egypt)   Translated by Fr. Bishoy Lamie, edited by Ayman and Jessica Ryder-Khalil When God reconciled the creation to Himself, He achieved this first in the Incarnation, by the unity of the Divinity and the Humanity.  Then, on the Cross.  After that He granted to the apostles the ability to reconcile the people to God and He called it the ministry of reconciliation. “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,” (2 Cor. 5:18). When St. Paul wanted to summarize the acts of the Apostles, and after them the acts of the bishops and the priests in the Church, he did not find a phrase except “the ministry of reconciliation” in order to clarify his words. This reconciliation is based on the Christ’s Redemption of sins and the mistakes of others, as there is no reconcili...