The Angel of the Lord and the Burning Bush
One of the most beloved Kiahk melodies in the Coptic Orthodox Church is the praise on the Thursday Theotokion known as “The Burning Bush.” The story of Moses and the burning bush is easily found in the Book of Exodus: And Moses was feeding the flock of Jothor his father-in-law, the priest of Madiam; and he brought the sheep nigh to the wilderness, and came to the mount of Choreb. And an Angel of the …
On the Holy Angels
“Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire” (Ps. 104:4). These are the words of the King and Prophet David. With these words, he said that God created the wisest minds, the fleshless spirits, servants loyal to Him, who burn with eternal love for God, fulfill God’s will and abide in the unapproachable light of the Throne of Glory. The Lord created the angels as wise, powerful, eternally holy, purity and within Divine …
The Heavenly Host in the Coptic Tradition
Within the context of the theology and piety of the Copts the heavenly host occupies an important place. There are the seven archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Suriel, Zedekiel, Serathiel, and Ananiel. They are the seven spirits of God (Rev. 4:5). Furthermore, the Holy Scriptures mention the Seraphim with their six wings who filled the house with smoke (Is. 6:2 f) and the herubim that provide the throne for the Lord (Ps. 99:1). The angels represent …
The Commemoration of the Holy Archangel Gabriel
On December 31, our Mother, the Holy Chuch, celebrates the Commemoration of the Holy Archangel Gabriel, one of the seven archangels who stand before the Throne of God. He is the archangel who announced the Incarnation of the Son of God to the Most Holy Theotokos Mary and all of mankind. He also appeared to Zacharias to announce the birth of the Holy Forerunner, John the Baptist. Of himself, Gabriel said, “I am Gabriel, that …