Spiritual Words. The Feast of The Theotokos and Ever-Virgin St. Mary

[Mark Sadek]

"It is truly a new spectacle, never before conceived of: a woman who surpasses the heavens in purity of nature enters the holy tabernacle of the heavenly sanctuary; a virgin, who surpasses the very nature of the Seraphim by the miracle of giving birth to God, draws near to God, the first of natures and begetter of all things; a mother, who has brought forth life itself, produces an ending of her own life to match that of her Son. It is a miracle worthy both of God and of our faith! For as her womb was not corrupted in giving birth, so her flesh did not perish in dying. What a miracle!"

St. Andrew of Crete, On the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior."  Luke 1:47

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Gospel reading for the 16th of the Coptic month of Misra, August 22:
39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord. 46 And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. 50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. 54 He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever. 56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.  Luke 1:39-56
The Feast of the Blessed Theotokos and Ever-Virgin St. Mary.
The Assumption of the Body of the Pure Virgin St. Mary.
Departure of St. Mattias IV (Mattheos), 102nd Patriarch of Alexandria.

The Gospel reading for the 17th of the Coptic month of Misra, August 23: Mark 10:35-45
Martyrdom of St. James the Soldier.

The Gospel reading for the 18th of the Coptic month of Misra, August 24: Mark 3:22-35
Departure of St. Alexander, Patriarch of Constantinople.
Martyrdom of St. Eudaemon, of Armant (El-Armanti).

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Prayer Requests:
If you have an update on a prayer request, please let me know.

Please remember the following in your prayers:

Esquibies - Brain Tumor
Carmen - Cancer
K - Addiction
P - Surgery on 2-19. In recovery
Sherry - Cancer and had surgery on 1-28. In recovery
Y - Anxiety.
Kamal D. - Cancer.
Luis F - Advanced respiratory disease
MH - Drug Addiction
Mary D. - Cancer
Karas A. - Child in need of 3 surgeries
Luz R - Cancer
Z - Transient Ischemic Attack
Mark - Anger, anxiety and job success
Antonius - Crohn's disease

The unity of the Churches and all Christians.

Egypt and the Christians in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Ethiopia and Pakistan. "Blessed is Egypt My people." Isaiah 19:25

Please pray for the peace and safety of the world.

Please remember me in your prayers.

"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

https://groups.google.com/forum/?nomobile=true#!forum/spiritualwords