Mostrando resultados por autor "Bishoy Boshra Behnam" en Todas las categorías

Dogmas are the interpretation of our experience of God, in the Crucified and Risen Jesus Christ. This experience through the ages does not alter, for Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8). The disciples and apostles (and bishops afterwards) did not sit around a table and agree to teach new dogmas, but rather they preached their Christian experience. As St. John says, "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you" (1 John 1:3). Thus, all Christian dogmas produced are the church's experience of the Crucified and Risen Christ. "Truth" and "Love" at the...

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 ...

The book of Daniel has a special significance in the life of believers, for it is not a record of Daniel’s life or an era of the history of the Israelites during the Babylon captivity. But instead, it is a divine book that the Holy Spirit offers us to instill hope in the hurt souls. Sometimes, God allows throwing us in the fiery furnace of trials, yet He changes the nature of fire for our comfort and peace. On the one hand, the book reveals to us that God is the Controller of all histories, who works for the edification of his faithful believers in any place. On the other hand, this book ...

The story of Ruth for kids with Coptic Icons illustrations. The book of Ruth: 1. The book was related to the Feast of Harvest (Feast of Pentecost) which was read on that feast. Probably because Ruth appeared to glean the sheaves after the reapers so she can eat and give her mother-in-law. It is the book of harvest: that is the entry of the gentiles to the faith in the person of Ruth, as a new harvest offering the grain of the true life and satisfaction to her mother-in-law. 2. It is the only book after the name of a gentile woman in the whole Bible. Ruth has superseded many women. The ...

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 ...

To the Coptic Orthodox Church, Dogmas are not merely theological concepts concerning God, man, Church, eternal life, heavenly creatures, demons, etc., to be discussed among clergymen, scholars, and laymen. But dogmas are, in essence, daily experiences each member of the Church has to live. In other words, dogmas representing our faith in God through various aspects have one message, i.e., our communion with God the Father in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God, by His Holy Spirit. Thus, we conceive of our redemption, our membership in the Church, a deep understanding of the Holy Bible, ...

Dive deep into the heart of the most holy periods of the Christian liturgical year, Holy Week and Pascha. This exploration invites readers into a profound dialogue with Christ, mirroring the intimate conversations that shape our journey towards spiritual renewal and resurrection under his leadership through His Holy Spirit. The book weaves the narrative of Lazarus Saturday with the sequential days of Holy Week, shedding light on the powerful biblical events and their implications for personal practical faith. From the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday to the profound mysteries of the Last ...

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 ...

Step into the spiritual wisdom of the beloved Apostle, St. John. John. This New Testament Patristic Commentary Series volume delves into the timeless truths of love, truth, and vigilance against deceit, offering a pathway to deepen their relationship with Christ and His Church. In this commentary, the gentle yet powerful voice of St. John the Beloved resonates, calling us to abide in love that springs from the truth—Christ Himself. This epistle, uniquely addressed to a “chosen lady and her children,” reminds us of the unity and equality we share in Christ, who unites us beyond ...

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 ...

Suddenly, there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty rushing wind on all the apostles. The wind mixed with the sound, and tongues of living fire from the Father, came down on their heads; and all of a sudden, they felt stronger, in body, soul, and wisdom. Their minds got enlightened more, and many things became clearer to them. They then knew for sure that the Holy Spirit has dwelt in them, and started to be their Instructor and Guide. The weak and simple became strong and wise. The fishermen became teachers and scholars. The rushing wind that came all of a sudden turned into an ...

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 ...

Our Youth, both in Egypt and abroad, experience many emotions and have great potentials. They are in need of someone who can enter their world and offer support without imposing on them and affecting their personalities. They need someone who can understand their innermost secrets without bias or prejudice. They need someone who reciprocates their love and appreciates their emotions and values. They need someone to support them without being an obstacle to their growth and to guide them without usurping the right of steering their own lives. This book discusses the following topics: 1. ...

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.

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 CHURCH AS AN ICON OF HEAVEN The epistle of St. Paul the apostle to the Ephesians is similar to an invitation given to each believer to be taken up to the third heaven, so we can elevate our hearts and say with St. Paul: "I know a man in Christ… whether in the body, I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows - such a one was caught up to the third heaven… He was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words which it is not lawful for a man to utter" (2 Corinth 12:2-4). What did he see but the Church, the pledge of the Heavenly Jerusalem, people's ...

On one of the Jewish Feasts, Aaron, the first high priest of the Jews, noticed that many of the Jewish children gathered together were wearing beautiful and elaborate clothes specifically for the holiday. These children met in a large tent very close to the Tabernacle of meeting and got to know each other. They came from Egypt, Greece, Italy, Syria, and so on. They were all foreigners born of Jewish families and they were very proud to title themselves as children of God. Aaron decided attending one of these meetings would be a great opportunity for him to meet and talk with the children to...

In this pamphlet, the approach to prayer will be presented in the hopes that you, the reader, gain an enhanced understanding of the life of prayer. The writings of St. Basil are distinguished by his spiritual and practical approach. St. Basil never looked to prayer as a routine, but rather he looked at it as the instrument to use in working towards our goal of salvation. He was interested in presenting practical exercises of prayer that are effective. In discussing how to approach prayer in the text below, he introduces the concept of building up our prayer life through exercises and ...

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 ...