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Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Overcoming Sin




“Do not fall into despair because of stumbling. I do not mean that you should not feel contrition for them, but that you should not think them incurable. For it is more expedient to be bruised than dead. There is, indeed, a Healer for the man who has stumbled, even He Who on the Cross asked that mercy be shown to His crucifiers, He Who pardoned His murders while He hung on the Cross. ‘All manner of sin,’ He said, ‘and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men,’ that is, through repentance.”

St. Isaac the Syrian






Overcoming Sin“Do not fall into despair because of stumbling. I do not mean that you should not feel contrition for...
Posted by Australian Copts on Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Greatness of the Virgin





The greatness of the Virgin is revealed by God choosing her among all the women of the world. The only human for whom the Divine waited thousands of years until He found her, and saw her as worthy of this great honor, about which Archangel Gabriel said, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35) 

H. H. Pope Shenouda III 



Greatness of the Virgin The greatness of the Virgin is revealed by God choosing her among all the women of the world....
Posted by Australian Copts on Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Imitate The Theotokos' Faith in Christ





St. Ephrem The Syrian reminds us “Blessed is the womb that bore you.” :
He took blessedness from the one who bore him and gave it to those who were worshiping him.
It was with Mary for a certain time, but it would be with those who worshiped him for eternity.
“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”

St. Ephrem The Syrian



Imitate The Theotokos' Faith in ChristSt. Ephrem The Syrian reminds us “Blessed is the womb that bore you.” :He took...
Posted by ‎Australian Copts أقباط استراليا‎ on Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Benefits of Fasting





Fullness of food makes the body heavy and so encourages sleep. In contrast, the person light in body, who does not have a heavy digestive system, stays awake. Fasting and staying awake enlightens the thoughts. 
H. H. Pope Shenouda III 




Benefits of Fasting Fullness of food makes the body heavy and so encourages sleep. In contrast, the person light in...
Posted by Australian Copts on Thursday, December 3, 2015

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

The Coming of Saint Severus, Patriarch of Antioch to Egypt






On this day St. Severus, Patriarch of Antioch, came to Egypt in the days of Eustinos the Emperor. This Emperor opposed the Orthodox belief, following that of the council of Chalcedon. However Queen Theodora, his wife, was an Orthodox and she loved St. Severus because of his Christian virtues and his true faith. The Emperor called him one day and many discussions took place regarding the faith, but the Emperor would not turn away from his wrong belief. The Emperor issued his orders to slay St. Severus. The Queen besought the saint to escape to save himself but he refused saying, "I am ready to die holding the Orthodox faith." However, as the Queen and the God loving brethren insisted, he and some brethren left to Egypt.

When the Emperor sought St. Severus and did not find him, he sent soldiers after him. But God hid St. Severus from the soldiers and they did not see him although he was close to them. When he came to Egypt, he went disguised from place to place and from monastery to monastery, and God made many signs and wonders by his hands.

One day, he went to the desert of Scete, at Wadi-El Natroun, and he entered the church in a uniform of a stranger monk and a great miracle took place at that time. It came to pass, that after the priest had placed the bread (Kourban) on the altar and gone around the church offering the incenses, and after the reading of the Epistles and the Gospel, he lifted off the Ebrospharin (altar covering), and did not find the Kourban in the paten; so, the priest was disturbed and wept. He turned towards the worshippers saying, "O my brethren, I did not find El-Kourban in the paten, and I know not whether this thing has happened because of my sin or because of your sin." The people wept; and straightaway, the angel of the Lord appeared to the priest and told him, "This has happened not because of your sin or because of the sin of the worshippers but because you offered El-Kourban in the presence of the Patriarch. The priest replied, "And where is he, O my Lord?" The angel pointed towards St. Severus. St. Severus was standing in a corner of the church and the priest recognized him by the grace of the Holy Spirit. The priest came to Abba Severus, who commanded him to continue the liturgy after they brought him to the altar with great honor. When the priest had gone up to the altar he found the offering on the paten as before. They all praised God and glorified His Holy Name.
 
St. Severus went forth from that place and came to the city of Sakha where he dwelt with a noble, and righteous man named Dorotheus, and he remained there until his departure.

His prayers be with us all and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.


The Coming of Saint Severus, Patriarch of Antioch to EgyptOn this day St. Severus, Patriarch of Antioch, came to Egypt...
Posted by Australian Copts on Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

The Knowledge of The Cross





"The knowledge of the Cross is concealed in the sufferings of the Cross."

St Isaac The Syrian 



The Knowledge of The Cross"The knowledge of the Cross is concealed in the sufferings of the Cross."St Isaac The Syrian #StIsaacTheSyrian #Cross #TheCross#FeastOfTheCross #KnowledgeOfTheCross
Posted by ‎Australian Copts أقباط استراليا‎ on Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

The Two Arms of The Cross




Truth was crucified by love and love was crucified to show us that there is no truth without love. Seek truth and love in everything and you will remain the true disciple of Jesus Christ who came to institute truth and love as the two feet of His grace. 

If truth is lacking and there is no love be aware that the Cross has two arms--love and truth--which must embrace us to bring us to fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Abbot Sophronius of upper Egypt 

Happy Feast of the Cross to all. 



The Two Arms of The CrossTruth was crucified by love and love was crucified to show us that there is no truth without...
Posted by Australian Copts on Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

The Benefit of Praying For Others




“Do not let pass any opportunity to pray for anyone, either at his request or at the request of his relatives, friends, of those who esteem him, or of his acquaintances. 

The Lord looks favorably upon the prayer of our love, and upon our boldness before him. Besides this, prayer for others is very beneficial to the one himself who prays for others; it purifies the heart, strengthens faith and hope in God, and enkindles our love for God and our neighbor.

When praying, say thus: ‘Lord, it is possible for Thee to do this or that to this servant of Thine; do this for him, for Thy name is the Merciful Love of Men and the Almighty."

St. John of Kronstadt



The Benefit of Praying For Others “Do not let pass any opportunity to pray for anyone, either at his request or at the...
Posted by ‎Australian Copts أقباط استراليا‎ on Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Pure Intention







God bestows more consideration on the purity of the intention 
with which our actions are performed than 
on the actions themselves.

St. Augustine



Pure Intention God bestows more consideration on the purity of the intention with which our actions are performed than...
Posted by Australian Copts on Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Martyrdom And the Coptic Church





They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—  of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.  
Hebrews 11:37-38

St. Mark who preached Christianity in Alexandria, Egypt was an Apostle, Evangelist and Martyr. He was dragged through the streets of Alexandria until his head was detached from his body thus received the Heavenly Crown of Martyrdom. 
May his prayers be with us all Amen.
Happy Feast of Nayrouz to all.




Martyrdom And the Coptic Church They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They...
Posted by Australian Copts on Sunday, September 13, 2015

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Gain Friend


This very moment I may, if I desire, become the friend of God.

If two friends ask you to judge a dispute, don’t accept, because you will lose one friend; on the other hand, if two strangers come with the same request, accept because you will gain one friend.

St. Augustine

This very moment I may, if I desire, become the friend of God.If two friends ask you to judge a dispute, don’t accept,...
Posted by Fathers Sayings on Thursday, September 3, 2015

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Silence is Prerequisite


In solitude, if the soul is watchful,
God allows himself to be seen.
In a crowd there is commotion.
Silence is a prerequisite in order to see God.

Do not go outside yourself, but turn back within;
truth dwells in the inner person;
and if you find your nature given to frequent change, go beyond yourself.
Move on, then, to that source where the light of reason receives its light.

St. Augustine



In solitude, if the soul is watchful,God allows himself to be seen.In a crowd there is commotion.Silence is a...
Posted by Australian Copts on Sunday, August 30, 2015

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

St. Mary The Image of Beauty






How could I paint the picture of this marvelous, 
beautiful one, with ordinary colour..... 
too exalted and too glorious is the image of her beauty.....
 She was wise and filled with the love of God ....
 

She was never defiled by bad desires, 
had remained from childhood steadfastly just 
and has always walked along the right way 
without fault or stumbling...


St. Jacob of Sarug 






How could I paint the picture of this marvellous, beautiful one, with ordinary colour..... too exalted and too glorious...
Posted by Australian Copts on Monday, August 24, 2015

Church Body


Mary is a part of the Church, a holy member, an excellent member, the most eminent member, whilst still a member of the whole body.

St. Augustine


Mary is a part of the Church, a holy member, an excellent member, the most eminent member, whilst still a member of the...
Posted by Fathers Sayings on Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Saturday, August 15, 2015

No Ordinary Mother







We don't look upon St. Mary as just a great saint, but as a mother, 
and not just an ordinary mother 
but capable mother full of mercy and support.

H. H. Pope Shenouda III




No Ordinary Mother We don't look upon St. Mary as just a great saint, but as a mother, and not just an ordinary mother...
Posted by ‎Australian Copts أقباط استراليا‎ on Saturday, August 15, 2015

The Church's View of St. Mary





In the Church's view, St. Mary is above the Angels and the Archangels. We acknowledge her in our prayers and our hymns before mentioning the three great lights, Michael, Gabriel and Rafael the Archangels. 

H. H. Pope Shenouda III 




The Church's View of St. MaryIn the Church's view, St. Mary is above the Angels and the Archangels. We acknowledge her...
Posted by Australian Copts on Saturday, August 15, 2015

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Virgin Mary The Cause of Salvation





Just as Eve, while wife of Adam, was still a virgin and became by her disobedience the cause of death of herself and of the whole human race; so Mary too, espoused yet a virgin, became by her obedience the cause of salvation of both herself and the whole human race.

St. Irenaeus




Virgin Mary The Cause of Salvation Just as Eve, while wife of Adam, was still a virgin and became by her disobedience...
Posted by Australian Copts on Saturday, August 8, 2015

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

The Greatest of Miracles






The man who is conscious of his sins is greater than he who profits the whole world by the sight of his countenance. The man who sighs over his soul for but one hour is greater than he who raises the dead by his prayer while dwelling amid many men. The man who is deemed worthy to see himself is greater than he who is deemed worthy to see the angels, for the latter has communion through his bodily eyes, but the former through the eyes of his soul. The man who follows Christ in secret mourning is greater than he who praises Christ amid the congregations of men. 

St. Isaac the Syrian





The Greatest of Miracles The man who is conscious of his sins is greater than he who profits the whole world by the...
Posted by ‎Australian Copts أقباط استراليا‎ on Monday, July 27, 2015


Monday, July 27, 2015

Love Your Enemies





“Such are the souls of the saints: they love their enemies more than themselves, and in this age and in the age to come they put their neighbor first in all things, even though because of his ill-will he may be their enemy. They do not seek recompense from those whom they love, but because they have themselves received they rejoice in giving to others all that they have, so that they may conform to their Benefactor and imitate His compassion to the best of their ability; ‘for He is bountiful to the thankless and to sinners’ (Luke 6:35).”

St. Peter of Damascus




Love your Enemies “Such are the souls of the saints: they love their enemies more than themselves, and in this age and...
Posted by Australian Copts on Monday, July 27, 2015

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Points of Resemblance Between St. Peter & St. Paul




Both were Jews.
Both were called by the Lord.
The Lord changed the name of each of them.
The Holy Spirit came upon each of them; and each of them spoke with tongues.
Each of them had the power to give the Holy Spirit.
Each of them made wonders and miracles.
Each of them raised up a dead.
Each of them was a flame of energy, holy zeal, and work of predication.
Each of them preached and taught, and made efforts in the ministry.
Each of them was bold and courageous in his predication.
Each of the two saints Peter and Paul was firm in his punishment of the sinners.
In spite of all this, the two saint apostles were humble.
Each of them was exposed to many persecutions.
Saint Peter suffered scourging for Christ, and likewise also he was confined to jail.
As for Paul, how numerous are the persecutions which happened to him and to his participants in the ministry!?
Each of the saints Peter and Paul obtained the crown of martyrdom.

H. H. Pope Shenouda III 




Points of Resemblance between St. Peter and St. Paul † Both were Jews.† Both were called by the Lord.† The Lord...
Posted by Australian Copts on Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Friday, July 3, 2015

Beware





Beware not to hear about your brother's fall, 
lest you may have judged him secretly in your heart and thought. 
Beware about what you hear, 
lest you add sorrow and grief to your soul. 

St. Moses the Black





BewareBeware not to hear about your brother's fall, lest you may have judged him secretly in your heart and thought....
Posted by Australian Copts on Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Fasting





One should not think 
about the doings of God when one’s stomach is full; 
on a full stomach there can be no vision 
of the Divine mysteries.

St. Seraphim of Sarov




Fasting One should not think about the doings of God when one’s stomach is full; on a full stomach there can be no...
Posted by Australian Copts on Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Saturday, June 20, 2015

No Fear




Though an host should encamp against me, 
my heart shall not fear: 
though war should rise against me, 
in this will I be confident.
Psalm 27:3


It is simple-minded to think we can be forever rid of all our fears. As a matter of fact, some fear is healthy. God-given response to danger. However, when we clutch our fears and dwell on them, this is unhealthy. 

Carrying fears like a "security blanket" is detrimental to peace. But here is an amazing observation: some people do not want to let go of their fears. In a strange sort of way they enjoy the attention they receive from others when they remain fearful. 

What they do not realize is that peace of mind continues to elude them. Only by putting away growing apprehension can one escape total slavery to fear. Once freed from the chains of trepidation, the joys of confident peace can gallop through the soul.




No Fear Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this...
Posted by Australian Copts on Thursday, June 18, 2015

Sunday, June 7, 2015

The Narrow Gate




Remember that the narrow gate leads 
to the kingdom of heaven. 
If you see the wide gate open before you, 
escape and keep away from it, 
as all those who go in by it, 
have perished.

H. H. Pope Shenouda III
117th Pope of Alexandria





The Narrow Gate Remember that the narrow gate leads to the kingdom of heaven. If you see the wide gate open before...
Posted by Australian Copts on Sunday, June 7, 2015

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Honesty


Struggle to be honest in your work and look out for the tricks of the enemy of good. Be obedient and submissive to your Magistrates even if they have impolite manner. Keep hold of humility because the one who humbles himself will be exalted and loved by both God and people.

Pope Saint (St. Abba Cyril VI) Kyrillos VI
116th Pope of Alexandria

Struggle to be honest in your work and look out for the tricks of the enemy of good. Be obedient and submissive to your...
Posted by Fathers Sayings on Saturday, June 6, 2015

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Living With The Holy Spirit




Everything that breathes, breathes by air and cannot live without air; similarly all reasonable free creatures live by the Holy Spirit, as though by air, and cannot live without Him. “Every soul is quickened by the Holy Spirit.” Recognize that the Holy Spirit stands in the same relation to your soul as air stands in relation to your body.

St. John of Kronstadt



Living With The Holy Spirit Everything that breathes, breathes by air and cannot live without air; similarly all...
Posted by Australian Copts on Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Monday, June 1, 2015

The Sweetness of The Holy Spirit






Filled with love, the holy Apostles went into the world, preaching salvation to mankind and fearing nothing, for the Spirit of God was their strength. When St. Andrew was threatened with death upon the cross if he did not stay his preaching he answered: ‘If I feared the cross I should not be preaching the Cross.”

In this manner all the other Apostles, and after them the martyrs and holy men who wrestled against evil, went forward with joy to meet pain and suffering. For the Holy Spirit, sweet and gracious, draws the soul to love the Lord, and in the sweetness of the Holy Spirit the soul loses her fear of suffering.

St. Silouan the Athonite



The Sweetness of The Holy SpiritFilled with love, the holy Apostles went into the world, preaching salvation to...
Posted by Australian Copts on Sunday, May 31, 2015

The Comforter





The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who fills the whole universe, passes through all believing, meek, humble, good, and simple human souls, dwelling in them, vivifying and strengthening them. 

He becomes one spirit with them and everything to them – light, strength, peace, joy, success in their undertakings, especially in a pious life, and everything good – “going through all understanding, pure and most subtle spirits” (Wisdom of Solomon 7: 23). “We have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (I Cor. 12:13). All pious people are filled with the Spirit of God similarly as a sponge is filled with water. 

St. John of Kronstadt




The Comforter The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who fills the whole universe, passes through all believing, meek,...
Posted by ‎Australian Copts أقباط استراليا‎ on Sunday, May 31, 2015

Thursday, May 28, 2015

The Ascension of The Lord





While He was blessing them, He departed from them and was carried into heaven. We must note that the Savior ascended into heaven after He gave His blessing to His disciples. At the same time, we must remember that, as we read in the Acts of the Apostles, angels appeared to them as they were watching His ascension. 

They said to them, "He will come in the same way as you have seen Him going into heaven." We must labor with all eagerness to understand that the Lord will descend to judge us in the same form and substance of flesh with which He ascended. Since He departed blessing His apostles, He will also make us worthy of His blessing when He returns. He will give us the same status as those to whom He is going to say as they stand at His right hand, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, receive the kingdom."

Bede



The Ascension of The Lord While He was blessing them, He departed from them and was carried into heaven. We must note...
Posted by Australian Copts on Friday, May 22, 2015

Monday, May 11, 2015

The Day I Dated The Most Precious Woman of All Time!




After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, "I love you, but I know this other woman loves you too, and she would love to spend some time with you."

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.

"What's wrong, are you well?" she asked. My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

"I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you," I responded. "Just the two of us."
She thought about it for a moment, and then said...
"I would like that very much."

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up, I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's.

"I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed," she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our meeting."

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips.

"It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small," she said.
"Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," I responded.

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation - nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each others life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.
As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you." I agreed.

"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home.
"Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son."

At that moment I understood the importance of saying, in time, "I LOVE YOU."
And to give our loved ones the time they deserve. Because nothing is more important in life than family... and they shouldn't be put off until "some other time.”

Don't be too late to say How much you love your parents, your sons, your daughters, and your spouse. Today is a good time to go and tell those beautiful words or better do something so beautiful that they will cherish it forever. 

  God Bless. 




The Day I Dated The Most Precious Woman of All Time!After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another...
Posted by Australian Copts on Monday, May 11, 2015

Monday, April 27, 2015

Death No Longer Terrifying







Now that the Savior rose His body, 
death is no longer terrifying, 
for all who believe in Christ are trampling death like nothing, 
and prefer to die than to deny their faith in Christ.

Pope Athanasius of Alexandria






Death No Longer Terrifying Now that the Savior rose His body, death is no longer terrifying, for all who believe in...
Posted by ‎Australian Copts أقباط استراليا‎ on Monday, April 27, 2015

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

The Price of Christian Faith




Our Condolences to our sister Church the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and most of all to the families of the 30 Ethiopian Orthodox brethren who were brutally shot and slaughtered at the hands of the Islamic terrorist group "IS" in Libya because they refused to convert to Islam. Heaven is celebrating the arrival of those martyrs and receiving them in great honour with the rank of heavenly saints. 

Ethiopian and Coptic Orthodox Churches are sisters in every way through the Orthodox faith, and now they are bound by the shared blood of theirs sons, the 30 Ethiopian Orthodox and the 21 Coptic Orthodox martyrs who preceded them not so long ago. 

Let us lift up our hearts in prayers for their families for the loss of their sons, may the Lord repose the souls of the martyrs and comfort their families and grant them peace. 




The Price of Christian Faith Our Condolences to our sister Church the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and most of all to the...
Posted by Australian Copts on Tuesday, April 21, 2015