Spiritual Words.

Mark Sadek

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Dec 19, 2023, 5:05:25 PM12/19/23

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"What does it mean to take up your cross? It means the willing acceptance, at the hand of Providence, of every means of healing, bitter though it may be, that is offered. Do great catastrophes fall on you? Be obedient to God’s will, as Noah was. Is sacrifice demanded of you? Give yourself into God’s hands with the same faith as Abraham had when he went to sacrifice his son. Is your property ruined? Do your children die suddenly? Suffer it all with patience, cleaving to God in your heart, as Job did. Do your friends forsake you, and you find yourself surrounded by enemies? Bear it all without grumbling, and with faith that God’s help is at hand, as the apostles did."

St. Nikolai Velimirovich, Orthodox Homilies for Sundays and Feast Days.

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"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." Galatians 6:7-8

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The Gospel reading for the 8th of the Coptic month of Kiahk, December 18:
53 And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, 54 lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him.
12:1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 4 And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 8 Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. 11 Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say. Luke 11:53-12:12
Departure of St. Heraclas (Theoclas), 13th Pope of Alexandria.
Martyrdom of the Saints: Barbara and Juliana.
Martyrdom of the Saints: Esi (Isi) and His Sister Thecla.
Departure of St. Samuel the Abbot of El-Qualamon Monastery (Abba Samuel the Confessor).

The Gospel reading for the 9th of the Coptic month of Kiahk, December 19: Luke 12:32-44
Departure of St. Poemin, the Confessor.

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

Please remember the following in your prayers:

Sophie - born premature
Mary D. - Cancer
Karas A. - Child in need of 3 surgeries
Vincent - Shoulder surgery
Abe - Back surgery
Luz R - Cancer
Z - Transient Ischemic Attack
Sherif
Talaat
Elvia - Cancer
M F - Purity
Ensaf - Surgery
Beverly - Cancer
PP - Breast Cancer
SC - Anxiety/ Strength
Mark - Anger, anxiety and job success
M Biju - Paralyzed from an accident
Vero - Brain tumor
Antonius - Crohn's disease
Theo - Anger
Henry - Cancer
M H - Colon cancer
E - A young girl with Crohn's disease
Moura - Stage 3 cancer
Christina - Depression
Theodore - Heart surgery
Elizabeth - Rheumatoid arthritis
Thomas - Mental illness
Mira M's family
Lialie E. - born with heart and spine issues
Yus - Stress and Anxiety
Teresa - Serious complications from diabetes
Jessenia W - Bipolar depression
Sam - Drugs Addiction
B.E.
Hannah - Battling epilepsy, depression and anxiety
Yaga - Cancer

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

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Mark Sadek

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Dec 19, 2023, 5:05:32 PM12/19/23

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"As for you, my son, shun the satisfactions of this age, so as to be happy in the age to come. Do not be negligent, letting the days pass by till unexpectedly they come looking for you and you arrive at the straits of your anguish and the ‘horror-faces’ surround you and drag you off violently to their dark place of terror and anguish. Do not be sad when you are cursed by men; be sad and sigh when you sin - this is the true curse - and when you go away bearing the sores of your sins."

St. Pachomius the Great, Pachomian Koinonia III.

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"And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16

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The Gospel reading for the 9th of the Coptic month of Kiahk, December 19:

32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35 Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; 36 and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. 38 And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 41 Then Peter said to Him, Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people? 42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. Luke 12:32-44

Departure of St. Poemin, the Confessor.

The Gospel reading for the 10th of the Coptic month of Kiahk, December 20: John 16:20-33
The Relocation of the Body of St. Severus, Patriarch of Antioch.
Departure of St. Nicholas, the Confessor, Bishop of Myra (Mora).

Mark Sadek

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Dec 19, 2023, 8:31:10 PM12/19/23

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"But let us remember the day of judgement; and since we have need of mercy, let us prepare in advance mercy for ourselves. And let us forgive liberally, so that we may deserve a forgiveness which is more liberal."

St. Severus, Patriarch of Antioch.

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"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

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The Gospel reading for the 10th of the Coptic month of Kiahk, December 20:

20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. 23 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. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. 25 These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. 28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father. 29 His disciples said to Him, See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! 30 Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God. 31 Jesus answered them, Do you now believe? 32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:20-33

The Relocation of the Body of St. Severus, Patriarch of Antioch.
Departure of St. Nicholas, the Confessor, Bishop of Myra (Mora).

The Gospel reading for the 11th of the Coptic month of Kiahk, December 21: Luke 12:32-44
Departure of Saint Abba Pijimi.

Mark Sadek

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Dec 20, 2023, 8:31:18 PM12/20/23

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"How can we overcome the sinfulness that is already firmly established within us? We must use force. A man labors and struggles, and so by the use of force he escapes from destruction, always striving to raise his thoughts to holiness. We are not forbidden to resist force with force. If in any ascetic task we exert force, however slight, then, 'remaining in Jerusalem', we can wait for the 'power from on high' which will come down upon us (cf. Luke 24:49). In other words, if we persevere in unceasing prayer and the other virtues, there will come upon us a mighty force, infinitely stronger than any we can exert. This force cannot be described in human language; in its great strength it overcomes our worst faults of character and the malice of the demons, conquering both the sinful inclinations of our soul and the disordered impulses of our body. 'There came a sound from heaven as of a rushing violent wind' (Acts 2:2); and this force from heaven drives out the evil that is always forcing us into sin."

St. John of Karpathos.

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"A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends." Proverbs 16:28

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The Gospel reading for the 11th of the Coptic month of Kiahk, December 21:

32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35 Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; 36 and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. 38 And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 41 Then Peter said to Him, Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people? 42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. Luke 12:32-44

Departure of Saint Abba Pijimi.

The Gospel reading for the 12th of the Coptic month of Kiahk, December 22: Luke 16:1-12
Commemoration of Archangel Michael.
Departure of St. Hedra, Bishop of Aswan.
Commemoration of St. John the Confessor.
Assembly of a Council in Rome Against Benates (Novatus) the Priest.

Mark Sadek

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Dec 21, 2023, 8:31:56 PM12/21/23

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"Stillness of the body is the accurate knowledge and management of one's feelings and perceptions. Stillness of soul is the accurate knowledge of one's thoughts and is an unassailable mind."

St. John Climacus.

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"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:1-3

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The Gospel reading for the 12th of the Coptic month of Kiahk, December 22:

1 He also said to His disciples: There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. 2 So he called him and said to him, `What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' 3 Then the steward said within himself, `What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4 `I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.' 5 So he called every one of his master's debtors to him, and said to the first, `How much do you owe my master?' 6 And he said, `A hundred measures of oil.' So he said to him, `Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' 7 Then he said to another, `And how much do you owe?' So he said, `A hundred measures of wheat.' And he said to him, `Take your bill, and write eighty.' 8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. 9 And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. 10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own? Luke 16:1-12

Commemoration of Archangel Michael.
Departure of St. Hedra, Bishop of Aswan.
Commemoration of St. John the Confessor.
Assembly of a Council in Rome Against Benates (Novatus) the Priest.

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Dec 27, 2023, 8:31:17 PM12/27/23

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"We were created for eternal life by our Creator, we are called to it by the word of God, and we are renewed by holy Baptism. And Christ the Son of God came into the world for this, that He should call us and take us there, and He is the one thing needful. For this reason your very first endeavor and care should be to receive it. Without it everything is as nothing, though you have the whole world under you."

St. Tikhon of Zadonsk.

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"Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples" Psalm 96:2-3

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The Gospel reading for the 18th of the Coptic month of Kiahk, December 28:

1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace to this house.' 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.' 10 But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 11 `The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.' 12 But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city. 13 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. 16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me. 17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name. 18 And He said to them, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:1-20

Commemoration of the Relocation of the Relics of St. Titus to Constantinople.
Commemoration of St. Heracleas the Martyr and St. Philemon the Priest.

The Gospel reading for the 19th of the Coptic month of Kiahk, December 29: John 16:20-33
Departure of St. John, Bishop of El-Borollos Who Gathered the Biographies of the Saints (The Synaxarion).

Mark Sadek

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Dec 28, 2023, 8:30:51 PM12/28/23

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"Hell can’t be made attractive, so the devil makes attractive the road that leads there."

St Basil the Great, Bishop Of Caesarea.

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"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18

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The Gospel reading for the 7th of the Coptic month of Tubah, January 16:

1 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. 7 Then Jesus said to them again, Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:1-16

Departure of St. Silvester, Pope of Rome.

The Gospel reading for the 8th of the Coptic month of Tubah, January 17: John 10:1-16
The Consecration of St. Macarius' Church.
Departure of St. Andronicus, 37th Pope of Alexandria.
Departure of St. Benjamin, 38th Pope of Alexandria.

Mark Sadek

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Jan 16, 2024, 8:32:05 PM1/16/24

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"If we keep remembering the wrongs which men have done us, we destroy the power of the remembrance of God. But if we remind ourselves of the evil deeds of the demons, we shall be invulnerable."

St. Macarius the Great.

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"Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God." Psalm 50:23

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The Gospel reading for the 8th of the Coptic month of Tubah, January 17:

1 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. 7 Then Jesus said to them again, Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:1-16

The Consecration of St. Macarius' Church.
Departure of St. Andronicus, 37th Pope of Alexandria.
Departure of St. Benjamin, 38th Pope of Alexandria.

The Gospel reading for the 9th of the Coptic month of Tubah, January 18: Matthew 4:23-5:16
Departure of Abba Abraam, Companion of Abba Gawarga.

Mark Sadek

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Jan 17, 2024, 8:30:42 PM1/17/24

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"Do everything as if He were dwelling in us. Thus we shall be His temples and He will be within us as our God - as He actually is."

St. Ignatius of Antioch.

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"Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord." Romans 12:19

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The Gospel reading for the 9th of the Coptic month of Tubah, January 18:

23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. 25 Great multitudes followed Him--from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
5:1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 4:23-5:16

Departure of Abba Abraam, Companion of Abba Gawarga.

The Gospel reading for the 10th of the Coptic month of Tubah, January 19: Luke 3:1-18
Paramouni of Holy Theophany (Epiphany).

Mark Sadek

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Jan 18, 2024, 8:32:03 PM1/18/24

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"The Father was revealed to the sense of hearing; the Spirit was revealed to the sense of sight, and in addition to these, the Son was revealed to the sense of touch. The Father uttered His witness about the Son, the Son was baptized in the water, and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove hovered above the water. When John the Baptist witnessed and said about Christ, “Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29), and when John immersed and baptized the Lord in the Jordan, the mission of Christ in the world and the path of our salvation was shown. That is to say: The Lord took upon Himself the sins of mankind and died under them [immersion] and became alive again [the coming out of the water]; and we must die as the old sinful man and become alive again as cleansed, renewed and regenerated. This is the Savior and this is the path of salvation."

St. Nikolai Velimirovich, on The Theophany of Our Lord.

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"And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Mark 1:10-11

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The Gospel reading for the 10th of the Coptic month of Tubah, January 19:

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"Acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit also by practicing all the other virtues for Christ's sake. Trade spiritually with them; trade with those which give you the greatest profit. Accumulate capital from the superabundance of God's grace, deposit it in God's eternal bank which will bring you immaterial interest, not four or six percent, but one hundred percent for one spiritual ruble, and even infinitely more than that. For example, if prayer and watching gives you more of God's grace, watch and pray; if fasting gives you much of the Spirit of God, fast; if almsgiving gives you more, give alms. Weigh every virtue done for Christ's sake in this manner."

St. Seraphim of Sarov.

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"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26

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The Gospel reading for the 20th of the Coptic month of Tubah, January 29:

1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace to this house.' 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.' 10 But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 11 `The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.' 12 But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city. 13 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. 16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me. 17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name. 18 And He said to them, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:1-20

Departure of St. Prochorus, One of the Seventy Disciples.
Commemoration of the Consecration of the Church of St. John, the Owner of the Golden Gospel, and the Transfer of His Relics to It.
Commemoration of the Martyrdom of Anba Behna (Bahnou).
Commemoration of the Martyrdom of St. Anba Kloag the priest.

The Gospel reading for the 21st of the Coptic month of Tubah, January 30: Luke 1:39-56
Commemoration of The Dormition of Our Lady, the Virgin Mary, the Theotokos.
Departure of St. Hilaria, Daughter of Emperor Zeno.
Departure of St. Gregorius (Gregory of Nyssa), Brother of St. Basil the Great.

Mark Sadek

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Jan 29, 2024, 8:31:30 PM1/29/24

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"Oh, how could heaven receive one who is called `wider than the heavens?' How could a grave contain the one who contained God? Yet surely it did receive her, surely it did make room for her; for that body was not `wider than heaven' in any spatial sense. How, after all, can something three cubits long, something that grows more frail each day, be compared with the breadth and length of heaven? But in grace, surely, she surpassed the measure of every height and depth; for nothing can be compared with what is divine."

St. John of Damascus, On the Dormition of the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin St. Mary.

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"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4:11

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The Gospel reading for the 21st of the Coptic month of Tubah, January 30:

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

Commemoration of The Dormition of Our Lady, the Virgin Mary, the Theotokos.
Departure of St. Hilaria, Daughter of Emperor Zeno.
Departure of St. Gregorius (Gregory of Nyssa), Brother of St. Basil the Great.

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Feb 4, 2024, 8:30:12 PM2/4/24

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"Learn to love humility, for it will cover all your sins. All sins are repulsive before God, but the most repulsive of all is pride of the heart. Do not consider yourself learned and wise; otherwise, all your efforts will be destroyed, and your boat will reach the harbor empty. If you have great authority, do not threaten anyone with death. Know that, according to nature, you too are susceptible to death, and that every soul sheds its body as its final garment."

St Anthony the Great.

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"But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly." Psalm 68:3

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The Gospel reading for the 27th of the Coptic month of Tubah, February 5:

4 And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 8 Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. 11 Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say. Luke 12:4-12

Commemoration of Archangel Suriel.
Martyrdom of St. Sarapion.
The Relocation of the Relics of St. Timothy, the Apostle.
Martyrdom of St. Abe-Fam, the Soldier (St. Phoebammon).

The Gospel reading for the 28th of the Coptic month of Tubah, February 6: Luke 11:53-12:12
Martyrdom of St. Clement.
Martyrdom of St. Anba Kaou.

Mark Sadek

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Feb 5, 2024, 8:30:44 PM2/5/24

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"The devil is afraid of us when we pray and make sacrifices. He is also afraid when we are humble and good. He is especially afraid when we love Jesus very much. He runs away when we make the Sign of the Cross."

St Anthony the Great.

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"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed." John 3:19-20

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The Gospel reading for the 28th of the Coptic month of Tubah, February 6:

53 And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, 54 lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him.
12:1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 4 And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 8 Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. 11 Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say. Luke 11:53-12:12

Martyrdom of St. Clement.
Martyrdom of St. Anba Kaou.

The Gospel reading for the 29th of the Coptic month of Tubah, February 7: Matthew 25:1-13
Departure of St. Eksani (St. Xene).
Commemoration of St. Seriakos (Syriacus), the Fighter.
Departure of Fr. Andrews the Samuelite (Abouna Andrawes el Samuely).

Mark Sadek

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Feb 6, 2024, 8:31:56 PM2/6/24

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"Regard as free not those whose status makes them outwardly free, but those who are free in their character and conduct. For we should not call men in authority truly free when they are wicked or dissolute, since they are slaves to worldly passions. Freedom and happiness of soul consist in genuine purity and detachment from transitory things."

St Anthony the Great.

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"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His." Daniel 2:20

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The Gospel reading for the 29th of the Coptic month of Tubah, February 7:

1 Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight a cry was heard: `Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise answered, saying, `No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, `Lord, Lord, open to us!' 12 But he answered and said, `Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Matthew 25:1-13

Departure of St. Eksani (St. Xene).
Commemoration of St. Seriakos (Syriacus), the Fighter.
Departure of Fr. Andrews the Samuelite (Abouna Andrawes el Samuely).

The Gospel reading for the 30th of the Coptic month of Tubah, February 8: Matthew 25:1-13
Martyrdom of Saints Pistis, Helpis, Agape, and Their Mother, Sophia.

Mark Sadek

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Feb 7, 2024, 8:32:01 PM2/7/24

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"To say that God turns away from the sinful is like saying that the sun hides from the blind."

St Anthony the Great.

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"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:2-3

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The Gospel reading for the 30th of the Coptic month of Tubah, February 8:

1 Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight a cry was heard: `Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise answered, saying, `No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, `Lord, Lord, open to us!' 12 But he answered and said, `Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Matthew 25:1-13

Martyrdom of Saints Pistis, Helpis, Agape, and Their Mother, Sophia.

The Gospel reading for the 1st of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 9: Matthew 16:13-19
Commemoration of the Ecumenical Council in Constantinople.
Commemoration of the Consecration of the Church of St. Peter, the Seal of Martyrs.

Mark Sadek

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Feb 8, 2024, 8:31:07 PM2/8/24

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"And reckon ye that it is for your sakes we have been saying these things; for it is in our power, when we are examined, to deny that we are Christians; but we would not live by telling a lie. For, impelled by the desire of the eternal and pure life, we seek the above that is with God, the Father and Creator of all, and hasten to confess our faith, persuaded and convinced as we are that they who have proved to God by their works that they followed Him, and loved to abide with Him where there is no sin to cause disturbance, can obtain these things. This, then, to speak shortly is what we expect and have learned from Christ and teach."

St. Justin Martyr.

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"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you." Luke 6:27-28

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The Gospel reading for the 1st of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 9:

13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? 14 So they said, Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. 15 He said to them, But who do you say that I am? 16 Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:13-19

Commemoration of the Ecumenical Council in Constantinople.
Commemoration of the Consecration of the Church of St. Peter, the Seal of Martyrs.

The Gospel reading for the 2nd of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 10: Mark 9:33-41
Departure of the Great Saint Anba Paul, the First Hermit.
Departure of St. Longinus, Abbot of El-Zugag Monastery.

The Gospel reading for the 3rd of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 11: John 6:22-27
Departure of St. James, the Ascetic.

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Feb 14, 2024, 8:31:14 PM2/14/24

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"Afflictions, illness, ill health and the pains that our bodies experience are counted for the remission of our trespasses. They are the furnace in which we are purified."

St. John Chrysostom.

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"The poor shall eat and be satisfied; Those who seek Him will praise the Lord. Let your heart live forever!" Psalm 22:26

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The Gospel reading for the 7th of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 15:

1 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. 7 Then Jesus said to them again, Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:1-16

Departure of St. Alexandros II, 43rd Pope of Alexandria.
Departure of St. Theodorus (Theodore), 45th Pope of Alexandria.

Commemoration of the Martyrdom of the 21 Coptic Christians in Libya on Feb. 15, 2015.

The Gospel reading for the 8th of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 16: Luke 2:21-39
The Feast of Presenting the Lord Christ in the Temple.

Mark Sadek

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Feb 15, 2024, 8:30:58 PM2/15/24

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"Be emulous, brethren, and in eager rivalry about the things that pertain to salvation. Study the sacred Scriptures, which are true and given by the Holy Spirit. Bear in mind that nothing wrong or falsified is written in them. You will not find that upright men have ever been thrust out by holy men. The upright have been persecuted, to be sure, but by the lawless; they have been imprisoned, but by the impious; they have been stones, but by transgressors; they have been slain, but by such as have been possessed by a depraved and unjust jealousy. Yet they endured gloriously the suffering of such things."

St. Clement of Alexandria.

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"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:2-3

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The Gospel reading for the 8th of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 16:

21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. 25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29 Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel. 33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. Luke 2:21-39

The Feast of Presenting the Lord Christ in the Temple.

The Gospel reading for the 9th of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 17: Luke 14:25-35
Departure of St. Barsauma, the Father of the Syrian Monks.
Martyrdom of St. Paul, the Syrian.

The Gospel reading for the 10th of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 18: John 6:5-14
Martyrdom of St. James the Apostle, Son of Alphaeus.
Martyrdom of St. Justus, Son of Emperor Numerian.
Departure of St. Isidore of Pelusium.
Martyrdom of St. Philo, Bishop of the Persian.

Mark Sadek

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Feb 18, 2024, 8:30:48 PM2/18/24

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"Of God we speak not all we ought (for that is known only to Him), but so much as the capacity of human nature has received, and so much as our weakness can bear. For we explain not what God is but candidly confess that we have not exact knowledge concerning Him. For in what concerns God to confess our ignorance is the best knowledge. Therefore 'magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His Name together' (Ps. 34:3), - all of us in common, for one alone is powerless; nay rather, even if we be all united together, we shall yet not do it as we ought. Even if all the Church throughout the world, both that which now is, and that which shall be, should meet together, they would not be able to worthily sing the praises of their Shepherd."

St. Cyril of Jerusalem.

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"Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path." Psalm 119:105

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The Gospel reading for the 11th of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 19:

13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? 14 So they said, Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. 15 He said to them, But who do you say that I am? 16 Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:13-19

Martyrdom of St. Fabianus (Fabrianus), Pope of Rome.

The Gospel reading for the 12th of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 20: Luke 16:1-12

Commemoration of the Archangel Michael.

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Feb 26, 2024, 8:30:53 PM2/26/24

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"The storm and the tempests which beat against us are the temptations of this life, which in the world, as in a tempestuous sea, do not permit us to have a fair voyage free from pain, in a calm sea, and one which is free from evils. The casting of Jonah from the ship into the sea, signifies the fall of the first man from life to death, who received that sentence because, through having sinned, he fell from righteousness: 'Dust you art, and unto dust you shall return.'"

The Mystery of Jonah by St. Methodius.

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"Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice." Jonah 2:1-2

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The Gospel reading for the 19th of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 27:
29 And while the crowds were thickly gathered together, He began to say, This is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. 33 No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. 34 The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35 Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light. Luke 11:29-36
Second day of the Fast of Nineveh (Jonah's Fast).
Commemoration of the Relocation of the Relics of St. Martianus, the Monk.

The Gospel reading for the 20th of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 28: Matthew 15:32-16:4
Departure of St. Peter, 21st Pope of Alexandria.
Commemoration of Sts. Basil, Theodore and Timothy, the Martyrs.

Mark Sadek

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Feb 27, 2024, 8:32:01 PM2/27/24

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"As Jonah spent three days and nights in the belly of the fish and was delivered up sound again, all of us who have passed through the three stages of our present life on earth-the beginning, middle, and end-rise again. For our present time consists of three intervals: the past, the future, and the present. Thus, the Lord spent three days in the earth as a symbol to teach us clearly that our resurrection shall take place after these intervals of time have been fulfilled. Our resurrection shall be the beginning of the future age and the end of this. In that age, there is neither past nor future, but only the present."

The Mystery of Jonah by St. Methodius.

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"For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Matthew 12:40

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The Gospel reading for the 20th of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 28:

32 Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way. 33 Then His disciples said to Him, Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude? 34 Jesus said to them, How many loaves do you have? And they said, Seven, and a few little fish. 35 So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 36 And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. 37 So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left. 38 Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala.
16:1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said to them, When it is evening you say, `It will be fair weather, for the sky is red'; 3 and in the morning, `It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. And He left them and departed. Matthew 15:32-16:4
Third day of the Fast of Nineveh (Jonah's Fast).

Departure of St. Peter, 21st Pope of Alexandria.
Commemoration of Sts. Basil, Theodore and Timothy, the Martyrs.

The Gospel reading for the 21st of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 29: John 2:12-25
Commemoration of the Virgin St. Mary.
Martyrdom of St. Onesimus, the Disciple of St. Paul.
Departure of St. Gabriel, 57th Pope of Alexandria.
Departure of St. Zacharias, Bishop of Sakha.

Mark Sadek

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Feb 28, 2024, 8:31:49 PM2/28/24

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Jonah's Feast!

"Be careful not to complain whenever you are swallowed by a whale, for the whales of the sea of this world are many. Do not say: "Why do You treat me like this, O Lord? Why did You prepare this whale to swallow me? Where were You, O Lord, when it was swallowing me? And why did You not rescue me?" Know that God's answer is one: "Do not be afraid. It is enough for you that you are with Me. Even if you are in the belly of the whale, I am with you. I will not disregard you nor abandon you." Therefore, my brother, do not be afraid. Remember the saying of the righteous Abba Paul, "He who flees from tribulation has fled from God."

H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Contemplations on the Book of Jonah the Prophet.

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And David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man." 2 Samuel 24:14

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The Gospel reading for the 21st of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 29:

12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days. 13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business. 15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. 16 And He said to those who sold doves, Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise! 17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up. 18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, What sign do You show to us, since You do these things? 19 Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 Then the Jews said, It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days? 21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said. 23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. John 2:12-25
Jonah's Feast!

Commemoration of the Virgin St. Mary.
Martyrdom of St. Onesimus, the Disciple of St. Paul.
Departure of St. Gabriel, 57th Pope of Alexandria.
Departure of St. Zacharias, Bishop of Sakha.

The Gospel reading for the 22nd of the Coptic month of Amshir, March 1: John 16:20-33
Departure of St. Maruta (Maruthas) the Bishop.

Mark Sadek

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Feb 29, 2024, 8:30:43 PM2/29/24

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"How like are you in comparison, with the Prophet whom the fish yielded up! The Devourer has given you back for he was constrained, by the Power Which constrained the fish. Jonah was for you as a mirror, since not again did the fish swallow him, let not again the Devourer swallow you: being yielded up be like Jonah!"

St. Ephraim the Syrian.

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"Every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God." Hebrews 3:4

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The Gospel reading for the 22nd of the Coptic month of Amshir, March 1:

20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. 23 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. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. 25 These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. 28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father. 29 His disciples said to Him, See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! 30 Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God. 31 Jesus answered them, Do you now believe? 32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:20-33

Departure of St. Maruta (Maruthas) the Bishop.

The Gospel reading for the 23rd of the Coptic month of Amshir, March 2: Luke 12:4-12
Martyrdom of St. Eusebius, Son of Basilides, the Minister.

The Gospel reading for the 24th of the Coptic month of Amshir, March 3: Luke 19:1-10
Departure of St. Agapetus (Agapius), the Bishop.
Martyrdom of St. Timothy and St. Matthias.

Mark Sadek

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Mar 3, 2024, 8:31:44 PM3/3/24

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"Regard as free not those whose status makes them outwardly free, but those who are free in their character and conduct. For we should not call men in authority truly free when they are wicked or dissolute, since they are slaves to worldly passions. Freedom and happiness of soul consist in genuine purity and detachment from transitory things."

St Anthony the Great.

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"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His." Daniel 2:20

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The Gospel reading for the 25th of the Coptic month of Amshir, March 4:
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 22 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 23 Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; 24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it. Luke 10:21-24
Martyrdom of Sts. Archippus, Philemon and Lycia the Virgin.
Martyrdom of St. Quona (Kona) and St. Mina.

The Gospel reading for the 26th of the Coptic month of Amshir, March 5: Matthew 23:13-36
Departure of St. Hosea, the Prophet.
Martyrdom of St. Zadok and the 128 who were with Him.

Mark Sadek

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Mar 4, 2024, 8:31:09 PM3/4/24

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"To say that God turns away from the sinful is like saying that the sun hides from the blind."

St Anthony the Great.

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"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:2-3

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The Gospel reading for the 26th of the Coptic month of Amshir, March 5:

13 But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. 14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. 16 Woe to you, blind guides, who say, `Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.' 17 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? 18 And, `Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.' 19 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 20 Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. 21 He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. 22 And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it. 23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! 25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 and say, `If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.' 31 Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers' guilt. 33 Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? 34 Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, 35 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. Matthew 23:13-36

Departure of St. Hosea, the Prophet.
Martyrdom of St. Zadok and the 128 who were with Him.

The Gospel reading for the 27th of the Coptic month of Amshir, March 6: John 10:1-16
Departure of St. Eustathius, Patriarch of Antioch.

Mark Sadek

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Mar 5, 2024, 8:31:24 PM3/5/24

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"And reckon ye that it is for your sakes we have been saying these things; for it is in our power, when we are examined, to deny that we are Christians; but we would not live by telling a lie. For, impelled by the desire of the eternal and pure life, we seek the above that is with God, the Father and Creator of all, and hasten to confess our faith, persuaded and convinced as we are that they who have proved to God by their works that they followed Him, and loved to abide with Him where there is no sin to cause disturbance, can obtain these things. This, then, to speak shortly is what we expect and have learned from Christ and teach."

St. Justin Martyr.

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"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you." Luke 6:27-28

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The Gospel reading for the 27th of the Coptic month of Amshir, March 6:

1 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. 7 Then Jesus said to them again, Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:1-16

Departure of St. Eustathius, Patriarch of Antioch.

The Gospel reading for the 28th of the Coptic month of Amshir, March 7: Luke 10:21-24
Martyrdom of St. Theodore, the Roman.

Mark Sadek

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Mar 6, 2024, 8:31:01 PM3/6/24

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"By the death of martyrs religion has been defended, faith increased, the Church strengthened; the dead have conquered, the persecutors have been overcome. And so we celebrate the death of those of whose lives we are ignorant. So, too, David rejoiced in prophecy at the departure of his own soul, saying: ‘Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.’ He esteemed death better than life. The death itself of the martyrs is the prize of their life. And again, by the death of those at variance hatred is put an end to."

St. Ambrose of Milan.

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"If you will not hear, And if you will not take it to heart, To give glory to My name," Says the Lord of hosts, "I will send a curse upon you, And I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, Because you do not take it to heart." Malachi 2:2

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The Gospel reading for the 28th of the Coptic month of Amshir, March 7:

21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 22 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 23 Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; 24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it. Luke 10:21-24

Martyrdom of St. Theodore, the Roman.

The Gospel reading for the 29th of the Coptic month of Amshir, March 8: John 21:15-25
Martyrdom of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna.

Mark Sadek

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Mar 7, 2024, 8:31:56 PM3/7/24

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"When fasting, you should fast both in body and heart; abstaining from meat, gossip and slander...The fasting tongue is better than the fasting stomach, and when the heart abstains from wrath, that is better than both."

St. Kyrillos VI (Cyril VI), 116th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark.

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"He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Corinthians 9:6

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Mar 17, 2024, 8:30:59 PM3/17/24

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"We are not of the type of people who fast and, while fasting, long for the time to break our fast. On the contrary, when we are not fasting we long for the time when fasting will return. A spiritual person rejoices over the periods of fasting more than he does over feast days during which he eats and drinks. Many are those who long for fasting during the fifty-day period that follows Easter and during which there is neither fasting or continual prostration. Their longing for fasting increases so strong that they rejoice at the arrival of the Apostles' fast having been deprived of the joy of fasting during the preceding fifty days."

H.H. Pope Shenouda III, 117th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, The Spirituality of Fasting.

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"Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble." Psalm 41:1

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The Gospel reading for the 9th of the Coptic month of Baramhat, March 18:
1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, `Get justice for me from my adversary.' 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, `Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 `yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' 6 Then the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth? Luke 18:1-8
Departure of St. Konan.
Martyrdom of Sts. Abrianus, Amrata his wife, Eusebius, Armanius, and the Forty Martyrs.

The Gospel reading for the 10th of the Coptic month of Baramhat, March 19: John 10:22-38
Commemoration Of the Appearance Of The Glorious Cross.

Mark Sadek

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Mar 19, 2024, 8:30:16 PM3/19/24

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"The more a penitent realizes he has grieved the Lord who loves him and that Jesus' Cross was mainly raised to wash his sins and redeem his soul, the more true and rightful his penitence is."

Saint Bishoy Kamel, On the Cross.

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"For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. O God, the proud have risen against me, And a mob of violent men have sought my life, And have not set You before them." Psalm 86:13-14

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The Gospel reading for the 11th of the Coptic month of Baramhat, March 20:
32 Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way. 33 Then His disciples said to Him, Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude? 34 Jesus said to them, How many loaves do you have? And they said, Seven, and a few little fish. 35 So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 36 And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. 37 So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left. 38 Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 15:32-38
Martyrdom Of St. Basil (Basilaos) The Bishop.

The Gospel reading for the 12th of the Coptic month of Baramhat, March 21: Matthew 19:16-30
Commemoration of the Honorable Angel Michael.
Commemoration of the revealing of the virginity of St. Demetrius, 12th Pope of Alexandria.
Martyrdom of St. Malachias of Palestine.
Martyrdom of St. Glathinos in Damascus.
Commemoration of the Departure of St. Bishoy Kamel.

Mark Sadek

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Mar 20, 2024, 8:31:32 PM3/20/24

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"The power of our Christianity is closely and deeply tied to our faith and our relationship with the Holy Cross, and its apparition in our lives is a powerful force against the devil, materialism and worldly desires. The Cross is a power that transforms envy to love, revenge to forgiveness and flaunting to simplicity. The Cross then fills you with joy, so we pray with St Paul: "But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14)"

Saint Bishoy Kamel, On the Cross.

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"Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed." Psalm 86:17

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The Gospel reading for the 12th of the Coptic month of Baramhat, March 21:

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? 17 So He said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He said to Him, Which ones? Jesus said, `You shall not murder,' `You shall not commit adultery,' `You shall not steal,' `You shall not bear false witness,' 19 `Honor your father and your mother,' and, `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 20 The young man said to Him, All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack? 21 Jesus said to him, If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. 25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. 27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have? 28 So Jesus said to them, Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first. Matthew 19:16-30

Commemoration of the Honorable Angel Michael.
Commemoration of the revealing of the virginity of St. Demetrius, 12th Pope of Alexandria.
Martyrdom of St. Malachias of Palestine.
Martyrdom of St. Glathinos in Damascus.
Commemoration of the Departure of St. Bishoy Kamel.

The Gospel reading for the 13th of the Coptic month of Baramhat, March 22:
Departure of Abba Dionysius, 14th Pope of Alexandria.
The Return of the Great Sts. Anba Macarius the Great and Anba Macarius of Alexandria, from Exile.
Martyrdom of the Forty Martyrs of Sebastia.

Mark Sadek

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Mar 21, 2024, 8:31:52 PM3/21/24

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"The souls of the righteous become heavenly light, the Lord Himself told the apostles, when He said, Ye are the light of the world.. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14
"He first wrought them into light, and ordained that through them the world should be enlightened. Neither do men light a lamp, He says, and put it under the bushel, but on the lampstand, and it giveth light to all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men. In other words, Hide not the gift which ye (you) have received from Me, but give to all that are minded to receive it."

St. Macarius the Great.

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"Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to You all day long. Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul." Psalm 86:3-4

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The Gospel reading for the 30th of the Coptic month of Baramhat, April 8:
12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here. 13 But He said to them, You give them something to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people. 14 For there were about five thousand men. Then He said to His disciples, Make them sit down in groups of fifty. 15 And they did so, and made them all sit down. 16 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. 17 So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them. Luke 9:12-17
Commemoration of the Archangel Gabriel the Announcer.
Commemoration of the Transfer of the Relies of St. James, known as the Mangled.
Commemoration of Samson, One of the Judges of Israel.

The Gospel reading for the 1st of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 9: John 8:12-20
Departure of St. Silvanus the monk.
The Raid of the Arabs of Upper Egypt on the Wilderness of Scetis.
Departure of Aaron the priest.

Mark Sadek

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Apr 8, 2024, 8:30:46 PM4/8/24

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"Those who are spiritual rejoice so much at fasting that general fasts are not sufficient for them. Thus, they urge their father confessors to allow them to add their own additional fasts. They support their request with the argument that their spiritual condition becomes stronger during the period of fasting, their health improves and that their bodies become lighter. Those who claim that fasts should be shortened and reduced in number attest to the fact that they have neither experienced the joy of fasting nor known its benefits."

H.H. Pope Shenouda III, 117th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, The Spirituality of Fasting.

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"Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashame." Psalm 86:17

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The Gospel reading for the 1st of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 9:

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. 13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true. 14 Jesus answered and said to them, Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. 17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me. 19 Then they said to Him, Where is Your Father? Jesus answered, You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. 20 These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come. John 8:12-20

Departure of St. Silvanus the monk.
The Raid of the Arabs of Upper Egypt on the Wilderness of Scetis.
Departure of Aaron the priest.

The Gospel reading for the 2nd of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 10: Luke 13:6-9
Martyrdom of St. Christopher.
Departure of Pope Yoannis the Ninth, 81st Patriarch.

Mark Sadek

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Apr 9, 2024, 8:31:40 PM4/9/24

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"So loved was fasting to our fathers the monks, that they made of it their lifestyle. They fast, with the exception of feast days their whole life. They did not suffer from physical fatigue but discovered in it spiritual delight, found satisfaction and became accustomed to it. It was once said that on one occasion, at the advent of Lent in the desert, a herald was sent calling upon monks and drawing their attention to the sacred fast. When one of the elders heard the herald's exhortation, he said to him: "Son, what is it this fast you are talking about? I am not aware of it because all my days are the same. (Ie. that all of them are days of fasting).""

H.H. Pope Shenouda III, 117th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, The Spirituality of Fasting.

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"For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. O God, the proud have risen against me, And a mob of violent men have sought my life, And have not set You before them." Psalm 86:13-14

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The Gospel reading for the 2nd of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 10:

He also spoke this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, `Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' 8 But he answered and said to him, `Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 `And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.! Luke 13:6-9

Martyrdom of St. Christopher.
Departure of Pope Yoannis the Ninth, 81st Patriarch.

The Gospel reading for the 3rd of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 11: Luke 13:10-17
Departure of St. John, Bishop of Jerusalem.
Departure of the holy father Anba Michael, 71st Pope of the See of St. Mark.

Mark Sadek

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Apr 10, 2024, 8:32:04 PM4/10/24

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"True fasting is to train oneself in self-control, to follow for the rest of your life. Self-control becomes a blessing for his life, not only during the time of fasting when we change the time and the food we eat, but also during the normal days. In this context, fasting is not a punishment but a blessing. Confessor fathers used to impose as a severe form of punishment for their spiritual sons, to break their fast early, to eat meat or appetizing foods. This was done in order to abase their spiritual son’s proud heart that thinks of itself to have become a hermit or an ascetic. He would thus bring down his arrogance by making him eat and feel abased to rid him of thoughts of vain glory."

H.H. Pope Shenouda III, 117th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, The Spirituality of Fasting.

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"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" Romans 11:33

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The Gospel reading for the 3rd of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 11:

10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity. 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day. 15 The Lord then answered him and said, Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound--think of it--for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath? 17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him. Luke 13:10-17

Departure of St. John, Bishop of Jerusalem.
Departure of the holy father Anba Michael, 71st Pope of the See of St. Mark.

The Gospel reading for the 4th of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 12: John 8:21-27
Martyrdom Of The Saints Victor, Decius, Eirene the Virgin and those with them men, women and virgins.

Mark Sadek

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Apr 11, 2024, 8:31:56 PM4/11/24

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"It is natural that he, who cannot abstain from food, would find it difficult to offer his life. Through continuous training and negligence for the bodily needs, a courageous soul is trained to endure hunger and thirst, bring the body into subjection to conquer the desires and lusts of the body. It is able to endure the hardships of imprisonment and the pain of torture. These people were able through God's grace, to offer their bodies up to death at the time of martyrdom. Thus fasting became the training of the spiritual school of martyrs, not only in the physical sense, but also from the spirituality gained in fasting. Days of fasting are not only for our spiritual deeds, repentance, and coming closer to God, but they also help evoke our love for eternity with Him. Man therefore harbours no fear when faced with death since he is prepared for it. Rather, man is happy that he is to rid himself of his body to meet with God. As St. Paul says: “…having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.“ (Phil 1:23)"

H.H. Pope Shenouda III, 117th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, The Spirituality of Fasting.

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"He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

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The Gospel reading for the 4th of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 12:

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Apr 21, 2024, 8:31:00 PM4/21/24

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"Erroneous and rejected fasts: 5/6
Fasting without mercy and charity is unacceptable: The Lord explained this point to the Prophet Isaiah, saying: “`Why have we fasted,' they say, `and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?' … Indeed you fast for strife and debate … Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? …Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the Lord? “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--” (Is 58:3-7). A fast that does not go hand in hand with merciful deeds and a pure heart is unacceptable even if performed with humility and courtesy."

H.H. Pope Shenouda III, 117th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, The Spirituality of Fasting.

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"I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore. For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheo." Psalm 86:12-13

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The Gospel reading for the 14th of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 22:
31 If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. 33 You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. 35 He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish--the very works that I do--bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37 And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive honor from men. 42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. 43 I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you--Moses, in whom you trust. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words? John 5:31-47
Departure of the Holy Father Anba Maximus, 15th Pope of Alexandria.

The Gospel reading for the 15th of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 23: John 12:36-43
Commemoration of the Consecration of the first altar for St. Nicholas, Bishop of Mora for the Jacobite Christians.
Commemoration of the Consecration of the church of St. Agabus, the Apostle.
Departure of St. Alexandra, the Empress.
Departure of Pope Mark (Marcus) VI, the 101st. Patriarch.

Mark Sadek

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Apr 22, 2024, 8:31:53 PM4/22/24

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"Erroneous and rejected fasts: 6/6
Fasting that is not for God is invalid: Some may fast on doctor’s orders. Another may fast to have a graceful body and good looks. Both fasts are not performed for God and or spiritual gain. A third person may go on a hunger strike and not for spiritual aim or for God's sake. A fourth may forsake food in distress or despair. None of these fasts can be considered genuine. Again, we reiterate by saying that any fast which is not for God and spiritual gain, cannot be considered a fast and is not accepted by God."

H.H. Pope Shenouda III, 117th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, The Spirituality of Fasting.

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"Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me." Psalm 51:2-3

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The Gospel reading for the 15th of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 23:

36 These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them. 37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: 40 He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them. 41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him. 42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. John 12:36-43

Commemoration of the Consecration of the first altar for St. Nicholas, Bishop of Mora for the Jacobite Christians.
Commemoration of the Consecration of the church of St. Agabus, the Apostle.
Departure of St. Alexandra, the Empress.
Departure of Pope Mark (Marcus) VI, the 101st. Patriarch.

The Gospel reading for the 16th of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 24: John 6:35-45
Martyrdom of St. Antipas, Bishop of Pergamos.

Mark Sadek

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Apr 23, 2024, 8:32:01 PM4/23/24

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"What then, is an acceptable spiritual fast for God? It is one where a profound relationship with God is established. It is a fast where you feel God in your life. It is a sacred period, which belongs to God and is devoted entirely to Him. It is a time when God’s presence is very visible in your behaviour. It is a time with which your relationship with God increases and grows in a spiritual exultation which makes you long to stretch your fast to become endless."

H.H. Pope Shenouda III, 117th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, The Spirituality of Fasting.

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"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Galatians 5:16

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The Gospel reading for the 16th of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 24:

35 And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 41 The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. 42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, `I have come down from heaven'? 43 Jesus therefore answered and said to them, Do not murmur among yourselves. 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, `And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. John 6:35-45

Martyrdom of St. Antipas, Bishop of Pergamos.

The Gospel reading for the 17th of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 25: Mark 12:18-27
Martyrdom of St. James the Apostle Brother of St. John the Apostle.

Mark Sadek

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Apr 24, 2024, 8:30:58 PM4/24/24

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"What is the relationship between God and your fast? Fasting is not substituting one food for another, and is not abstaining from food for a certain period. All these are just means, but they do not constitute the essence of fasting to free and exalt the soul from its bodily needs and above the influence of materialism. The soul and the body move in unity in loving God to enjoy His company. This is what is meant by a sacred fast, i.e. one devoted entirely to God."

H.H. Pope Shenouda III, 117th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, The Spirituality of Fasting.

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"I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet have been standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem!" Psalm 122:1-2

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The Gospel reading for the 17th of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 25:

18 Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; and they asked Him, saying: 19 Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies, and leaves his wife behind, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife; and dying, he left no offspring. 21 And the second took her, and he died; nor did he leave any offspring. And the third likewise. 22 So the seven had her and left no offspring. Last of all the woman died also. 23 Therefore, in the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife. 24 Jesus answered and said to them, Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, `I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken. Mark 12:18-27

Martyrdom of St. James the Apostle Brother of St. John the Apostle.

The Gospel reading for the 18th of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 26: Luke 13:31-35
Martyrdom of St. Arsenius, Slave of St. Sousnyous.

Mark Sadek

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Apr 25, 2024, 8:30:11 PM4/25/24

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"You must devote three things: your heart, thoughts, and will in order to consecrate your fast to God. You should not be overly occupied with food and drink. Rather, your abstention trains you to have a strong will over what you eat and drink. When you succeed in controlling what you eat, your will submits itself to God in all things and your desires will be nothing but what God wants."

H.H. Pope Shenouda III, 117th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, The Spirituality of Fasting.

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"Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord, For He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, And the peoples with equity." Psalm 98:8-9

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The Gospel reading for the 18th of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 26:

31 On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You. 32 And He said to them, Go, tell that fox, `Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.' 33 Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem. 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! 35 See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, `Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'. Luke 13:31-35

Martyrdom of St. Arsenius, Slave of St. Sousnyous.

The Gospel reading for the 19th of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 27: John 11:1-45
Lazarus Saturday.
Martyrdom of St. Simeon the Armenian, Bishop of the country of Persia and 150 with him.
Martyrdom of the blessed Youhanna (John) Abu Nagaah El-Kabeer.
Martyrdom of the Vizier Abu Elaala Fahd ibn Ibrahim and his companions.
Martyrdom of Daoud (David), the Monk.

The Gospel reading for the 20th of the Coptic month of Baramouda, April 28: Matt. 21:1-17, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-48, John 12:12-19
Palm Sunday.
Martyrdom of St. Babnuda (Paphnute).

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