I Am He

Explanation of the Kneeling Prayers (“Salaat el Sagda”) on the Feast of the Pentecost by Fr. Bishoy Lamie Mikhail June 8, 2014   Every year on the Feast of Pentecost, the Coptic Orthodox Church practices “Salaat el Sagda,” or the “Kneeling Prayer,” in the evening. This important prayer has a deep meaning, as it explains the significant role of the descent of the Holy Spirit in our salvation and life as a church.   “In the Old Testament, Pentecost was the feast which occurred fifty days after Passover. As the Passover feast celebrated the exodus of the Israelites from the slavery of Egypt, Pentecost celebrated God’s gift of the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai. In the new covenant of the Messiah, the Passover event takes on its new meaning as the celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection, the “exodus” of men from this sinful world to the Kingdom of God. And in the New Testament as well, the Pentecostal feast is fulfilled and made new by the coming of the...

I Am He: No Parties for Priests and Bishops : Pope Francis wrote to the 19 men who are chosen to be elevated to the rank of Cardinals, the following  (Source  http://uk.reuters.com...

Pope Francis wrote to the 19 men who are chosen to be elevated to the rank of Cardinals, the following  (Source  http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/01/13/uk-pope-cardinals-idUKBREA0C10L20140113?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews)  LETTER OF POPE FRANCIS TO THOSE WHO WILL BE CREATED CARDINALS   AT THE UPCOMING CONSISTORY OF 22 FEBRUARY Dear Brother , On this the day on which your designation to take part in the College of Cardinals is made public, I would like to send you my warm greeting as well as the assurance of my closeness and of my prayer. I hope that, as a member of the Church of Rome, “clothed in the virtue and sentiments of the Lord Jesus (cf. Rom 13:14), you may help me with fraternal efficacy in my service to the Universal Church. The Cardinalate does not signify a promotion, an honour nor a decoration: it is simply a service that demands a broader vision and a bigger heart. And, although it seems a paradox, this ability to look furthe...

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 ...