As we celebrate the Feast of the Departure of Abba Bessarion tomorrow, it is good to meditate on his beautiful encounter with Thais, the harlot who received crowns in the Kingdom of Heaven, as recounted in the Paradise of the Holy Fathers. AND now I desire to narrate unto you the excellent history and the […]
[dropcap]I[/dropcap] am a sinner. Quite easily, I fall into the sin of fornication and greatly enjoy it. I feel as though it is the most pleasurable feeling ever. I met a holy hieromonk who encouraged me to repent and confess my sins. Initially, I thought the meeting was a coincidence, but now, I realize it […]
The First Counsel Never rely on your own wisdom or might or on human strength in any of your works. Otherwise, your mind will become dim and your insight blurred, thus blocking the way for grace to enter you and show you the way of God. You will thus be led astray from truth and […]
[dropcap]A[/dropcap] beautiful letter to monks and contemplation on the name and place of the Desert of Sheheet, where the Coptic Orthodox Monastery of Saint Macarius resides, by the Spiritual Father of the monastery, Father Matta El Maskeen (also known in as Father Matthew the Poor.) God offered us the grace of calling and accepting us […]
[dropcap]Christ’s[/dropcap] linking the Son of man with the forgiveness of sins (Mk 2:5-10) and with the coming judgment (“He has given him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of man” Jn 5:27) greatly enhances the importance of the Son of man, since judgment is attributed to Him as if He is greater […]
[dropcap]You[/dropcap] know that we are approaching the Holy Forty Days Fast (i.e., Lent). Here the words are intensely resolute and directive. The words “forty days” have a special importance because we are approaching a death that Christ went through for the sake of all humanity. It is in other words Christ’s death in exchange for […]
[dropcap]Since[/dropcap] the tragic ruling of five judges on the United States Supreme Court this past Friday, I’ve observed many Christians living in something like a daze. Although the decision wasn’t unexpected, it’s now real and a part of everyone’s life whether they wanted it or not. People are anxious, wondering what the decision means for […]