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

Upbringing children is a holy task; and whoever violates this duty is guilty of somehow committing the crime of child murder. This book deals is talking about: 1. BRINGING UP CHILDREN IS A SACRED TASK! 2. PREOCCUPATION WITH THE CHILD’S EARLY UPBRINGING 3. CHOOSING A CHILD’S NAME 4. GUIDING THE CHILD TO THE HOLY BIBLE 5. ENTRUST YOUR CHILD INTO GOD’S HAND! 6. GOD IS HIMSELF INVOLVED IN THE UPBRINGING OF CHILDREN 7. APPRECIATING THE CHILD’S WORTH AND TALENTS 8. WARNING AGAINST PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT 9. TEACHING AND TRAINING A CHILD ACCORDING TO HIS ABILITIES 10. TEACHING BY EXAMPLE 11. ...

The Book of Ben Sirach clarifies that the first step towards enjoying wisdom is to attain the fear of the Lord. Then the believer is prepared to receive wisdom as a gift from God. The fear of the Lord is not unjust, but a means to honor; it is a crown of glory, loftiness, and constant gladness and rejoicing until the moment of death. Ben Sirach differentiates between fear leading to grief and shame, and fear which grants honor and glory (4:20-21) and lasting gladness. The first kind of fear occurs as a psychological disease leading to a condition of depression. In contrast, holy fear, which...

To our Beloved Children: What do you know about historical books? To know the Judges' era in the Old Testament, we have to know the various historical stages from the standpoint of the salvation of mankind. 1. The creation stage: The book of Genesis talked to us about the creation to realize how God granted man authority and power to learn and explore until the modern man reached outer space. 2. The renewal stage: Since the creation was defiled, there was only one righteous family, which was Noah, his sons and their wives. God asked them to renew the world through the ark and the flood. 3. ...

This book presents five Soliloquies of Saint Augustine [Whenever You drew me close unto You, my soul would continue to search for You, driven by my aspiration, while You resided in my heart!] From Soliloquy 1 [My Lord… You are my Light; open my eyes to behold Your divine brightness so that I would be able to walk down my path without stumbling in the traps of the enemy!] From Soliloquy 2 [If anything, godly was found in me, You would be its Source, for the godliness inside me is Your goodness, O Righteous, and from You I have received it!] From Soliloquy 3 [I beg You to command the dead ...

That first volume in the Patristic Commentary on the Book of Isaiah opens the door to one of the rich and prophetically profound texts of the Old Testament. This Introduction is rooted in the Coptic Orthodox tradition and draws from the early Church Fathers, offering a panoramic view of Isaiah's life, message, and enduring legacy. Far more than a historical overview, this volume presents Isaiah as both seer and evangelist—the prophet whose writing is called "The Fifth Evangelist" and whose words the early Church saw fulfilled in Christ's incarnation, passion, and resurrection. Inside, you...

Origen believes that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior of mankind. Christ who loved humanity, even when they were sinners and enemies, and sacrificed Himself on their behalf, is asking to have a personal relationship with every soul. Therefore, Origen attributes Christ to himself as his own, savior calling Him “my Christ.” The Apostle (St. Paul) declares what is written about Adam and Eve thus: “This is a great mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:32); He has loved her so that He gave Himself up for her, while she was yet disobedient, even as he says: “...

This second volume in the Patristic Commentary on the Book of Isaiah continues the journey begun in Volume 1, delving deeply into the prophet’s earliest messages—warnings of judgment, calls to repentance, and glimpses of redemption. Drawing from the wisdom of the early Church Fathers and the Coptic Orthodox tradition, this work reveals the richness of Isaiah's voice as both fierce reformer and tender intercessor. Covering chapters 1–35, this volume illuminates: God’s righteous judgment against hypocrisy, injustice, and idolatry The spiritual decay of Judah and the prophetic call to ...

Immerse yourself in the journey of Holy Week with "Time of Love!" This work invites readers to follow in Jesus's footsteps from the Friday of the culmination of Lent to the joyous Resurrection, offering daily reflections that illuminate the deep, spiritual significance of this sacred period. "Time of Love!" is a spiritual guide through the most pivotal week in the liturgical calendar. Each day unveils the scriptures of Holy Week with rich commentary and heartfelt meditations that engage both the mind and the spirit. From Lazarus Saturday, through the triumphant entry on Palm Sunday, to the ...

From the inspiration of St. Basil the great on the Feast of the Holy Epiphany: - Baptisms of Moses, of John the Baptist and of the Lord Jesus - My Holy Spirit will guide you to the new birth - I received you that I may cover you and become your Goodness, your holiness and your salvation - The Father loves you!

Embark on a journey through the spiritual depths of St. John's Third Epistle in this compelling volume of the New Testament Patristic Commentary Series. Rich with wisdom and practical insights, this commentary reveals timeless lessons on truth, love, humility, and faithfulness in the service of the Lord. Written to Gaius, a beloved disciple, the epistle offers a tapestry of Christian virtues exemplified by faithful hospitality, spiritual discernment, and the unwavering commitment to truth. Enhanced by the reflections of the early Church Fathers, this commentary offers a window into the ...

This final volume in the Patristic Commentary on the Book of Isaiah brings the prophetic masterpiece to its majestic conclusion. Covering chapters 40–66, this section of Isaiah shifts from chastisement and judgment to comfort, renewal, and the vision of ultimate salvation. Through the voice of the prophet and the lens of the early Church Fathers, Isaiah now proclaims God as the Holy Comforter—the One who lifts, restores, and redeems His people. Drawing from the Coptic Orthodox tradition and the writings of saints and patristic scholars, this commentary invites readers into a profound ...

Whoever reads the Book of Revelation discovers what Christian worship actually is. It is not just duties to be carried out, rituals to be performed, or orders to be observed, but one sees through all that the invisible divine hands hurrying towards him to receive him, embrace him and raise him to heavens where he lives as a partner in the eternal glory. Whoever tastes the Book of Revelation, no matter how much his fasts are, how long his prayers are, his kneelings, asceticism, suffering and his everyday crucifixion, they all turn to unspeakable joy and happiness. Through this Book, one is ...

Jesus Ben Sirach did not only speak to his disciples, but he also prayed for them while in their presence. He also recorded prayers about them. Together with the prayers of the saintly people of God - men and women of earlier times - these are all considered contemporary prayers for new generations. His prayers constitute a dialogue shared between him and God. They offer honor to God in anticipation of His divine care to all human beings, and they also convey the love of humankind. The desire and spirit of prayer are a gift from God. A person who desires to pray stands in the presence of ...

THE WISDOM BOOKS + Job: The believer triumphs in the Lord amid tribulations. + Psalms: Our life in the Lord is a sweet song. + Proverbs: The educated, as well as the illiterate, both need the Proverbs. + Ecclesiastes: The reality of our current world is that it is the “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity”. + Song of Solomon: The soul enjoys its eternal wedding ceremony without growing old! In the Poetic Books of Wisdom, the believer recognizes the spiritual concept of worship. It is a mutual relationship of love in which every emotion and talent is sanctified so that the believer would ...

This is book 3 of the series "BROTHERLY LOVE". It discusses the following topics: 1. FAMILY BOND: Caring for every member of the family - Family stability - Love is the pillar of the family structure. 2. PARENTHOOD IN CHRISTIANITY: The concept of parenthood. 3. RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD: The importance of raising children - you are responsible! - you are responsible even for the salvation of the illegitimate son. 4. PARENTHOOD BETWEEN LOVE AND AUTHORITY: Childhood world - 1. Parental authority is for the children! - 2. Your job is to pave the way not to own them - 3. Mutual benefits - 4. ...

Alexandria was famous for its many schools long before Christianity became established in the city. By far the largest school was the "Museum," founded by Ptolemy and destined to become the most renowned school in the East. Other celebrated institutions were the "Serapeum" and the "Sebastion." Each of these three schools possessed its own enormous library. St. Jerome records that St. Mark himself founded the Christian School of Alexandria . The Holy Spirit inspired him to establish the school in order to teach Christianity since this was the only way to provide the new religion a solid ...

The Books of the Prophets were written during the Dark Age in the history of the Jewish people. God sent His prophets to deliver His message fearlessly before kings, priests and ordinary people. God proclaims His love of mankind by bestowing the gift of prophecy on His children. The essence of prophecy is to reveal God’s secret thoughts and plans for His children. Prophecy is highly esteemed and occupies nearly one third of the Bible. Scholars traditionally divide the Books of Prophets into Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel) and Minor Prophets (the rest of the Books of ...

Inspired from Sirach- Chapter 23: HAVE MERCY O, MY FATHER, FROM MY WISDOM! - To You, I complain of myself, O Lord, the Father of my life, and my Master. May Your will be fulfilled in my life, and may my careless judgments be crucified. Who else can correct my careless thoughts and scourge them with a whip? I trust no one other than You to correct me. For You are my heavenly and merciful Father, You are Almighty, and You know all my depths! Your firm yet loving lashes demolish the pride of my haughty eyes, To You alone belongs the power to root out my evil lusts and greed, as well as all ...

The Ancestors of Israel Glorify God A Poem Dedicated to the Heroes of the Faith glorifying God across history The roots of wisdom are found in the people of God and are mentioned in the Old Testament. Wisdom spread to all nations through the Incarnate Word of God, who offers wisdom and salvation to all humankind. It is only through union with the Lord Jesus Christ that we receive true wisdom, for He is the Incarnated Wisdom of God. He protects His believers from sin and grants them eternal life. Ben Sirach does not mention all the famous ancestors. Instead, he wishes to assert that every ...

In a world of rapid advances in modern technology grafted together with the continual evolution of contemporary philosophies, humanity is plagued by an increasing number of cases of depression, psychological ailments and suicides. These societal maladies affect even our youth. By contrast the Church's Early Fathers, pastors, ascetics and theologians never expressed concerns associated with such hardships. Despite the ardent believer's exposure to today's many adversities he remains unaffected mainly because of his appreciation of man's true eminence. The Church's Fathers often invite us to ...