Showing results by author "Bishoy Boshra Behnam" in All Categories

BLESSED IS EGYPT MY PEOPLE Isa. 19:25 God's promise to His people is always fulfilled; He foretold that He would ride on a light and upon a swift cloud and come to Egypt (Isaiah 19:1), and in that day there will be an altar for the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the Lord at its border (Isaiah 19:19). This promise was fulfilled by the flight of the Holy Family from the tyrant Herod to find refuge among the Gentiles. Thus, Jesus Christ came to Egypt during His childhood to lay the foundation stone of His Church in Egypt which has be­come one of the four primary "Sees...

Christology of the Coptic Orthodox Church has been shaped and developed by a long-standing tradition based on the biblical truth. This book aims to track the development of Coptic Christology throughout the centuries. To do so, we shall attempt to evaluate ‘the Coptic’ or the Alexandrian view towards Christology in the past and today by discussing the theology of the School of Alexandria, various historical accounts, and finally modern theology and practices. The Coptic Church believes that Christ’s humanity has never been alone; there was no time lapse in realizing this unity. Our ...

To our Beloved sons and daughters What do you know about the book of First Samuel? The subject: Appointing a king over Israel. In the beginning, God was the king. God sent them judges when they went astray, but the people asked for a king like the other nations. The topic of this book: Samuel was the fruit of his mother’s prayers, and Saul was the fruit of the persistence of the people, not the fruit of prayer. King David was the fruit of the prayers of Samuel the prophet. + This is considered a topic about the fruit of prayers. + The beginning of choosing a king, that is why we find for ...

With every book of the Holy Scripture, in both the Old and the New Testaments, our hearts are drawn more toward Jesus the Lord of Glory, in order to get to know Him more and to kindle the fire of our love for Him inside us. It brings us to anticipate with great longing His coming to carry us with Him up to the bosom of God the Father so we may enjoy the exalted secret of God. This book confirms the preoccupation of God the Creator in the affairs of men. In His care for us, He grants us the divine wisdom to keep us in this world, to let us bear a creative mind and by it to grants us eternity...

Rediscover Divine Love and Holiness with Malachi "The Book of Malachi" stands as a divine beacon, concluding the Old Testament of the Holy Bible with a powerful declaration of God's unconditional love for all of humanity. This work is a call to authentic worship, a stirring invitation to return to God through sincere repentance, opening the way for anyone to join in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. That volume explores the historical and societal contexts that shaped Malachi's words, revealing the challenges a community grappling with disillusionment and spiritual neglect faces. He ...

This volume offers a profound patristic commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews, one of the most spiritually majestic and theologically rich books in the New Testament. Drawing from the Coptic Orthodox tradition and the insights of the early Church Fathers, this commentary unveils Christ as our High Priest, Mediator, and Eternal Sacrifice—the fulfillment of the Law, the Prophets, and the Temple itself. With clarity and warmth, the commentary walks readers through every chapter of the epistle, highlighting: Christ’s priesthood “according to the order of Melchizedek” The superiority ...

Every believer can relate to this Catechism series, regardless of his nationality. He is about becoming a man of God and His beloved Son, so that his heart may be filled with love for all humankind, praying for everyone, even to those who persecute the Church. It invites us to enjoy the heavenly experience, righteousness in faith and growth in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our teacher St. Paul talks about “the mystery that was kept secret since the world began” (Cf. Rom 16:25). He refers to God’s work in the New Testament, Who fulfilled the mysterious Heavenly plan so that ...

Volume 2 - Book 7 of the Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church Eschatology and the After Life The book addresses questions about the following topics: The Gift of Death and the Resurrected Life in Christ The Sacred Pain of Loss Millennialism (Chiliasm) The Two Comings and the Rapture The Final Judgment The Resurrected Body Heaven and the Jerusalem Above

On Saturday 17th of March 2012, the long trip of pain, which the holiness Pope Shenouda the third has lived, had ended and the trip of the glories, the manifest and the hidden from the human eyes, has begun. Those days on which Egypt has been lived with his departure to the paradise were called “Meeting of millions”. That meeting included the majority of Egyptian categories; if not all of them. It included Christians with all the denominations and Muslims, leaders and people. He had been the messenger of peace struggling in a difficult era, and a peaceful man even in his departure from ...

Volume 2 - Book 4 of the Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church Church Worship as a journey to Heaven The book addresses questions about the following topics: 1. Church worship 2. The life of prayer 3. The Agpeya Prayers (the Canonical Hours) 4. The Model Prayer 5. Prayer of the mind and contemplation 6. The Jesus prayer or the Arrow Prayer 7. Metanoias and Prostrations 8. Holy worship and the Full Life 9. Worship and the Fear of the Lord 10. Holy Fasting 11. Worship and "Dying with Christ" 12. Tears in worship 13. Praise and the Heavenly Mindset 14. Church Hymns and the Heavenly Mindset ...

This epistle is considered the sweetest of the epistles written by the apostle Paul. It is as though an essay sent by him to the church in all eras, and to every believer in all times, exhorting them to live perpetually exulting, despite any situation prevailing around them; through practicing the new life that knows no idleness, but is on an un-ceasing motion in Christ Jesus. The apostle wrote this epistle to a congregation with which he had a special relationship of love, that made them provide him with gifts to spend on the message of the gospel; whether concerning his necessary needs, ...

For a long time, some western writers looked to “tradition” as blind obedience to the past, a means of mechanically conveying inert thoughts and ideas. Their point of view holds tradition as a precise catalog of ancient doctrines, canons and rites, or else a museum for antiquity. Therefore, they consider the traditional church obsolete, an obscurant to modern mores, and attached to what is old simply for its antiquity. In this simple work, I would like to explain our concept to “tradition” through the Holy Bible, patristic thought and our practical church life. Fr. Tadros Y. Malaty

Volume 2 - Book 6 of the Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church Christian Concepts and Everyday Life The book addresses questions about the following topics: Christian Virtues The Virtue of Discernment and Illumination The Virtue of Obedience The Virtue of Chastity and Purity Vices or Evils Christian Faith and Human Culture The Relationship between Church and State Christian Faith and Military Service Christian Faith and Social and Familial Relationships Social Cohesion Christian Faith and Social Class Christian Faith and Liberty Wealth and the Wealthy in the Christian Faith Science and Faith

God created man in His image as the most perfect of His creation on earth. He did not plan to leave the man in Paradise alone, but to embrace him as His beloved, and to grant mankind unity with Him. God used to speak with Adam for it was written, "... and they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden." (Gen. 3:8). Similarly, God started a dialogue with the first patriarch, Abraham, to declare to him His divine plan, saying, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing?" (Gen. 18:17). God, who is incomprehensible, reveals Himself, His nature, His mysteries, and His will to His ...

The Lord Jesus granted His disciples His name, not merely to perform miracles, heal the sick, take out demons. Still, also He has emphasized to them the power of His name while saying: "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you." (John 16:23), meaning through Him, we can reach the Father and enjoy eternal glory. The seventy apostles realized the power the name of Jesus as they said: "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." (Luke 10:17). Isaiah the prophet described in his song of thanksgiving...

Volume 1 - Book 1 Introduction to the Coptic Catechism That is the first book of the Coptic Catechism series; the series consists of seven books: Egypt that is Within Us and the Open Heavens (a) Catechism (b) The Coptic Catechism Through the Ages The Basic Principles of Catechism Faith That Works Through Love The Holy Bible Holy Tradition

The first six centuries of Christianity were colorful ones indeed. The early Church, as an extension of the Apostolic age, represents the living Bible which is practiced daily; it reveals biblical and heavenly thought. She also manifests her dogma, order, economy, and behavior as the bride of Christ and His ambassador in the world. The Church lived bearing the features of her crucified Christ, gladly and joyfully accepting persecution. These first six centuries were also characterized by councils, controversy, and heresy in the sincere quest for an understanding of the true faith. The ...

The Introduction to the New Testaments is a brief tour to every book of the twenty-seven Book of the New Testament. Each book is summarized in bullet points and a table. The “Gospel” is the joyful delight in our Lord Jesus Christ and the acceptance of His kingdom within us. Through the Gospel, we enter into the Father’s embrace and become partakers in His heavenly eternal glory.

Volume 1 - Book 3 of the Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church The Church: The Kingdom of God The book addresses questions about the following topics: 1. The Church: The Kingdom of God 2. The Heavenly High Priest and the Church 3. The Church as a Heavenly Wedding Feast 4. The Unique Work of the Church 5. The Church: House of Salvation 6. The Eminence of the Church 7. The Church and Daily Renewal 8. The Church and Society 9. The Role of Women in Society and Church 10. The Person of the Church 11. The Mystery of the House of God 12. The Iconostasis 13. Coptic Art and Symbolism 14. The Holy ...

Volume 2 - Book 5 of the Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church The Believer and the Heavenly Hosts The book addresses questions about the following topics: 1. The creation of the Spiritual World 2. Our Companionship with the Heavenly Hosts 3. The order of the Heavenly Hosts 4. The devil has no authority over us