Copyright © 2021 COPT.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical,

including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written

permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Balboa Press

A Division of Hay House

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.balboapress.com.au

AU TFN: 1 800 844 925 (Toll Free inside Australia)

AU Local: 0283 107 086 (+61 2 8310 7086 from outside Australia)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed

since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do

not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

ISBN: 978-1-5043-2464-9 (e)

Balboa Press rev. date: 05/22/2021

Table of Contents

Daily Calendar

Church Directory

Egypt

Coptic Orthodox Church - Holy Synod

Organisation

Africa

Sudan

Diocese Khartoum & Southern Sudan

Diocese of Omdurman & Northern Sudan

South Africa

Archdiocese of South Africa

Botswana

Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

The Democratic Republic of Congo

Gabon

Ghana

Kenya

Malawi

Namibia

Tanzania

Togo

Uganda

Zambia

Zimbabwe

North Africa

Libya

Australia and New Zealand

Diocese of Melbourne

Diocese of Sydney

St Shenouda the Archimandrite Monastery

Canada

Diocese of Mississauga, Vancouver & Western Canada

Diocese of Ottawa, Montreal & Eastern Canada

Archdiocese of Ontario

Europe

Diocese of Austria

Belgium

Denmark

Diocese of Stockholm and Scandinavia

Finland

France

Germany

Norddeutschland - Diocese of North Germany

Süddeutschland - Diocese of South Germany

Diocese of Athens (Greece and Cyprus)

Diocese of Hungary (Hungary, Poland, Romania, Czech Republic & Slovenia)

Italy

Diocese of Milano

Diocese of Roma

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Diocese of the Netherlands

Norway

Russia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

The French Orthodox Church

United Kingdom

Diocese of London

Diocese of the Midlands, U.K

Diocese of Scotland, Ireland & North.East England

Other Churches in the UK

United States of America

Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California & Hawaii

Diocese of Southern States of USA

Diocese of New York & New England

Diocese of Pennsylvania

Diocese of North Carolina, South Carolina & Kentucky

Diocese of Ohio, Michigan & Indiana

Archdiocese of North America

Other Churches in the USA

British Isles & Caribbean Islands

Central & South America

Mexico

Diocese of Bolivia

Diocese of Brazil

Middle East / Asia

Israel

United Arab Emirates

Pakistan

Business Directory

New South Wales

Accountant / Tax Agents

Acting - Theatre

Chemist

Childcare

Construction - Architects / Builders / Certifiers / Engineers

Dentist

Dental Surgeon

Doctor - General Practitioner

Doctor – Medical Centre

Doctor - Specialists

Education - Tutoring Centre

Funeral Services

Jeweller

Lawyers / Solicitors

Migration Agent

Optometrist

Security

Travel Agents

Queensland

Doctor - Specialists

Coptic Diary 2021

Published by:

Coptic Orthodox Publication & Translation

PO Box 631

Kogarah, NSW 1485

Sydney Australia

www.copt.org.au

info@copt.org.au

Cover:

Stained glass window in

St Mary & St Mina's Cathedral, Sydney Australia

Notice:

Please inform COPT of any updates to the

Church Directory.

Email: info@copt.org.au

Welcome to our first electronic edition of the

Coptic Diary

Coptic Orthodox Publication & Translation (COPT) has for

over 30 years provided the English-speaking congregation

with translations of many wonderful Arabic spiritual books

from our beautiful Coptic Orthodox Church.

We are excited to present this version of the Coptic Diary

which contains the traditional content you are familiar with,

combined with features available to eBooks and making best

use of the available technology.

In this publication we have included the following:

• Daily Contemplations from Words of Spiritual Benefit by HH

Pope Shenouda III;

• Every Saturday we have a Q&A topic from www.suscopts.

org, printed with permission from HG Bishop Youssef;

• Our annual Fasting & Prayer Program during the Great

Lent. This year’s theme is 'Prayers from the Scriptures’;

• Between Pentecost and the Apostles Fast is the complete

text of the book by HE Metropolitan Antonious Markos titled,

'Come Across…and Help Us’, on his missionary service in

Africa;

• St Mary’s Fast contains excerpts from the ‘Forty Miracles of

the Virgin St Mary’, Books 2 and 3; the first 40 miracles are

recorded in Book 1.

We will strive to add more features in future editions and

welcome your suggestions and comments.

We also encourage and support original English publications

authored and produced by our youth.

Requesting your prayers.

Daily Calendar

Friday, 1 January

23 Kiahk

Departure of David the Prophet & King

Readings of 8 Tut

Vespers

Psalm 105:14,15

Luke 11:37-51

Matins

Psalm 105: 26,27 & 45

Matthew 17:1-9

Mass

Hebrews 11:17-27

2 Peter 1:19-2:8

Acts 15:21-29

Psalm 99:6,7

Matthew 23:13-36

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.

Matthew 23:25,26

25 - The New Year Prayer

Lord, make it a blessed year... A pure year to please You...

A year in which Your Spirit prevails... And joins in working with us...

Hold our hands and guide our thoughts from the beginning of the year till its end...

Let this year be Yours, to please You...

It is a New Year, spotless; let us not tarnish it with our sins or impurities...

Lord, be with us in every work we intend to do this year... Silent we will be, and you will do everything...

Let us rejoice in all Your deeds, and say with John the Evangelist:

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:3) Let this year, 0 Lord, be a happy year... put a smile on each face and gladden every heart... Let Your grace emerge in our trials and help those who are tempted...

Grant us peace and quietness of mind...

Give those who are in need, cure the sick and console the grieved...

We do not ask You, God, only for ourselves... But we ask for the all, because they are Yours...

You created them to rejoice in You. ..then make them happy with You...

We ask You for the Church, for Your mission, that Your word may reach every heart...

We ask you for our country, for the world's peace that Your Kingdom may come everywhere.

Let it be a fruitful year, full of goodness... Every day and every hour has its own work... Do not allow a futile moment...

Fill our life with activity, work, and production... Grant us the blessing of a productive and holy toil.

Let the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us in all our deeds...

We thank you, God, for you have kept us till this hour and granted us this year, that we may bless You...

Words of Spiritual Benefit — Volume I

HH Pope Shenouda III

Saturday, 2 January

24 Kiahk

Martyrdom of St Ignatius

Readings of 4 Tubah

Vespers

Psalm 19:1, 4

John 15:7-16

Matins

Psalm 45:1, 2

John 1:1-17

Mass

Romans 10:4-18

1 John 1:1-2:6

Acts 3:1-16

Psalm 139:17, 18

John 21:15-25

And there are also many other things that Jesus

did, which if they were written one by one, I

suppose that even the world itself could not contain

the books that would be written. Amen.

John 21:25

Q&A - Agpeya

Why must we use the Agpeya in prayer? Can a person just use their own words if they feel that it helps them get closer to God, or would this be disobeying the Church? Also, as time goes by, are we supposed to be growing in how many psalms we recite from the Agpeya, or is the goal of our prayer life to know and grow closer to God whether that includes using the Agpeya or not?

First, I would like to refer you to a well-written article on the Agpeya in the first issue of the Mighty Arrows (vol 1, no 1).

After reading the article, let's examine the work of prayer. A well practiced prayer pleases God a lot. St John Chrysostom says, Prayer was described as incense because of its good smell and because it purifies the soul from the rot of sin.

Prayer avails much (Jam 5:16). The work of prayer is superior and distinguished over any other work. Because of the superiority of prayer, the Lord appointed the angels to present it to Him.

Did you know that the canon of the seven prayers, Prayers of the Agpeya, was mentioned among the canons of the Ecumenical Council of Nicea in the year 325 AD? Yet these same laws go back to the time of the disciples and were reported among their canons. They were also among the laws of Hipoletus in the beginning of the third century. One can say the Agpeya dates back to the days of the chosen disciples.

With all of the above supporting evidence, I think we should definitely use the Agpeya to pray and be thankful that we are blessed with it.

The late Bishop Youanis of Gharbia said, The value of prayer is not measured by the degree of comfort one receives from it, but by the amount of toil. Continuing steadfastly in spiritual practices such as reciting the psalms takes us away from lukewarmness in prayer.

Please keep in mind that when we suffer from spiritual dryness in our prayers, it does not mean that God will reject them. On the contrary, God may value them more than the prayers in which we feel comforted. The reason is that toil, labor, and difficulty in prayers help us get closer to God. To receive comfort is not the goal.

Using the Agpeya does not eliminate the need to use your own personal words to address God. Usually we conclude the Agpeya with a personal prayer in which we give our personal thanksgiving to God and also we put forward all our needs.

It is expected that a praying person grow in the knowledge of the Holy Psalms and the quality of his prayers improve over time.

https://www.suscopts.org/q&a/index.php

Sunday, 3 January

25 Kiahk

Departure of St John Kame

Readings of 4th Sunday of Kiahk

Vespers

Psalm 87:5

Luke 8:1-3

Matins

Psalm 95:10-12

Mark 3:28-35

Mass

Romans 9:6-33

1 John 2:24-33

Acts 7:8-22

Psalm 80:1-3

Luke 1:57-80

... and you, child, will be called the prophet of

the Highest; for you will go before the face of the

Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of

salvation to His people by the remission of their

sins,

Luke 1:76,77

Sunday Gospel - Luke 1:57-80

Birth of John the Baptist

⁵⁷ Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. ⁵⁸ When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

Circumcision of John the Baptist

⁵⁹ So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. ⁶⁰ His mother answered and said, No; he shall be called John.

⁶¹ But they said to her, There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name. ⁶² So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.

⁶³ And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. So they all marveled. ⁶⁴ Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. ⁶⁵ Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. ⁶⁶ And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, What kind of child will this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Zacharias’ Prophecy

⁶⁷ Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

⁶⁸ "Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,

For He has visited and redeemed His people,

⁶⁹ And has raised up a horn of salvation for us

In the house of His servant David,

⁷⁰ As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,

Who have been since the world began,

⁷¹ That we should be saved from our enemies

And from the hand of all who hate us,

⁷² To perform the mercy promised to our fathers

And to remember His holy covenant,

⁷³ The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:

⁷⁴ To grant us that we,

Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,

Might serve Him without fear,

⁷⁵ In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

⁷⁶ "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;

For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,

⁷⁷ To give knowledge of salvation to His people

By the remission of their sins,

⁷⁸ Through the tender mercy of our God,

With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;

⁷⁹ To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,

To guide our feet into the way of peace."

⁸⁰ So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Monday, 4 January

26 Kiahk

Martyrdom of St Anastasia

Readings of 30 Tubah

Vespers

Psalm 68:25,26

Matthew 26:6-13

Matins

Psalm 8:2,3

John 4:15-24

Mass

Ephesians 5:8-21

1 Peter 3:5-14

Acts 21:5-14

Psalm 45:14-15

Matthew 25:1-13

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 25:10-13

1 - Calmness

Calmness is one of the beautiful qualities of the spiritual person. It includes calmness of the heart, nerves, thought, senses, behaviour and body. A quiet person’s heart never becomes troubled for any reason. He does not lose his calm no matter how the problems are caused. As the prophet David says Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident (Ps. 27:3). It is this type of calmness that comes from faith.

If one loses ones inner peace, everything will look disturbed in ones’ eyes, and what is simple will seem complicated. This complication is not from the outside but from the inside. When the heart is calm the nerves will also be calm. In this case one would not lose temper but, instead, quietly solve the problem.

If the mind fails to solve a problem, the nerves interfere to help. The agitated nerves might announce the lack of a solution, and the more the nerves are troubled, the more they get agitated..

A person with a calm heart and nerves would be able to obtain quietness in thought and action. His thoughts will be balanced, void of any disturbances. Therefore, he will act in a quiet and sound way, far from anger or anxiety.

What helps a person to gain inner peace is outer peace, a peaceful environment that has no agitating effects. For this reason, monks live in the peace of the wilderness, far from noise, people’s clamour, and any agitating news or incidents. They would have usually got used to this calmness.

The life of loneliness and isolation generally brings calmness, because all the senses are calm. As our saints say, the senses are the access to thoughts. What you see, hear and touch gives you thoughts. If your senses are at rest from gathering news, you will be relieved from thoughts.

A quiet place helps the senses to be calm, and consequently leads to the calmness of the thoughts, heart and nerves. That is why many people avoid noisy places, seeking peace of mind.

Those who love calmness search for it with all their strength, but others, alas, love clamour and could not live without it. Calmness makes them bored!

Words of Spiritual Benefit — Volume I

HH Pope Shenouda III

Tuesday, 5 January

27 Kiahk

Martyrdom of Abba Bisadi the Bishop

Readings of 28 Hatour

Vespers

Psalm 89:19, 20

Matthew 10:34-42

Matins

Psalm 132:9, 10 & 7

Luke 6:17-23

Mass

Hebrews 7:18-8:13

3 John 1-15

Acts 15:36-16:5

Psalm 99:5-7

John 16:20-33

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 16:31-33

2 - How To Deal With People

There are many ways which enable you to succeed in dealing with people and winning their hearts. By that, you can lead them, through love, to spirituality, as the Bible says: And he that wins souls is wise. (Prov. 11:30)

1. In your own life, present the ideal that people are longing for.

2. Do not seek what people have, and they will love you. Do not make others feel that you are their rival who wants to take what they possess or what they are trying to obtain.

3. Endure others’ weaknesses and win them by your patience, forgiveness and an open-heart. They will surely regret what they have done to you when they sit by themselves.

4. Praise others and make them aware of your appreciation. Make them feel that you know their good deeds and admire them.

5. Respect others and treat everyone politely, not only the elders or those you are obliged to regard, but also the young and those who are younger and lower in grade than you.

6. Work for building people, not destroying them.

7. Do not repeatedly rebuke people, and if you have to do it, try not to hurt or mistrust anyone. Do not pick on them for a word or action and avoid making them feel that you stand out as a critic or an enemy to them.

8. Find excuses for others and try your best to defend them in a rightful way, not through hypocrisy.

9. Be always ready to give and sacrifice and whoever you can’t help, offer him a nice word, a smile, or a real compliment. Be up to your duties to all without failing.

10. Treat people with modesty and humility, delicacy and gentleness. Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit as the Apostles say in Gal 5:22, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness...

11. Understand people and help them to understand you, quietly and with a good spirit. By doing this, you will be able to live with them in mutual understanding, love and peace.

12. Share in people’s joys and sorrows, Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15) Do not miss a chance to comfort people’s hearts.

Words of Spiritual Benefit — Volume I

HH Pope Shenouda III

Wednesday, 6 January

28 Kiahk

Christmas Eve

Readings of 28 Kiahk

Vespers

Psalm 50:2 & 23

Matthew 1:1-17

Matins

Psalm 76:1-2

Matthew 1:18-25

Mass

Galatians 3:15-4:18

1 John 4:1-14

Acts 13:13-25

Psalm 110:3

Luke 2:1-20

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a

multitude of the heavenly host praising God and

saying: ¹⁴ "Glory to God in the highest, And on

earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

Luke 2:13-14

3 - Faithfulness Over A Little

The Bible says, You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. (Mt 25:21)

This means that, as you have been faithful in earthly things, I will set you over the heavenly. You have been faithful in this present world, I will set you over eternity...

This principle could be applied in many fields…

• If you are faithful in loving your relative, God will set you over loving the enemy. He will give you the grace which enables you to love your enemy…

• If you are faithful in serving God during your leisure time God may grant you the love to consecrate all your life for Him.

• If you are faithful in rejecting willful sins, God will deliver you from unwillful sins…

• If you are faithful in keeping your conscious mind from evil thoughts, God will grant you purity of the subconscious mind and God will also grant you purity of dreams…

• If you are faithful in childhood, God will grant you faithfulness in your youth, which has more combats.

• If you are faithful in not judging others by words, God will enable you not to judge by thoughts, which is more difficult.

• Likewise, if you are faithful in controlling yourself from external anger, then God will grant you freedom from internal anger, freedom from rage, envy and thoughts of anger.

• If you are faithful in the ordinary spiritualities (the fruits of the Spirit), God may grant you gifts of the Spirit; and without faithfulness in the first, you can never get the second.

God tests you first in the little, and if you prove to be faithful, He will set you over what is more. If you show your failure and faithlessness in the little, God will hardly set you over much…

As the Bible says, If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with the horses? (Jer. 12:5)

It is amazing how many think themselves able to carry out big responsibilities while they are unable to cope with what is lesser. They are unable to use the grace they have, and still ask for more, forgetting God’s words, You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things, this is conditional...

Words of Spiritual Benefit — Volume I

HH Pope Shenouda III

Thursday, 7 January

29 Kiahk

Christmas Day

Readings of 29 Kiahk

Vespers

Psalm 72:10

Luke 3:23-3:38

Matins

Psalm 72:15

John 1:14-17

Mass

Hebrews 1:1-2:4

2 Peter 1:12-17

Acts 13:26-32

Psalm 2:7, 8

Matthew 2:1-12

¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced with

exceedingly great joy. ¹¹ And when they had come

into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary

His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.

And when they had opened their treasures, they

presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and

myrrh.

Matthew 2:10-11

4 - Joy… And Joy

There is a trivial joy for perishable, worldly affairs and pleasures...

Like Solomon’s joy with what he toiled under the sun (Eccl. 1:3) and Jonahs joy with the plant more than with the Salvation of Nineveh. The same kind of joy is that of the elder son, when he said to his father, You never gave me a young goat that I might make merry with my friends. (Luke 15:29)

One type of the false joy is the joy of some people over their talents as the disciples were joyful in casting evil spirits, so the Lord said to them, Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.(Luke 10:20)

The worst type of joy is being joyful over other’s suffering. About this the apostles said, "Love does not rejoice in iniquity,

(1 Cor. 13:6) as those who rejoice in people’s loss. Solomon says, Do not rejoice when your enemy falls." (Prov. 24:17) This wicked joy is called gloating.

As for the holy joy, it emanates from the fruits of the spirit. (Gal. 5:22)

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord, and the Magi when they saw the star, and the righteous rejoiced over the fruits of their holy toil, Those who sow in tears, shall reap in joy. (Ps. 126:5).

The Bible has explained to us the joy of your salvation and the joy of the shepherds when the angel said to them, Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy... for there is born to you this day in the city of David a saviour...... The psalmist says about the joy of salvation, Restore to me the joy of your salvation. (Ps. 51:12). And the father said, It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again. (Luke 15:32.)

The joy of the repentance of a sinner is in heaven and earth! When the good shepherd found the lost sheep, He lays it on his shoulders rejoicing, (Luke 15: 5). He also says, ..there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.. (Luke 15:7). The widow also rejoiced when she found her lost coin and called all her neighbours to rejoice with her.

We also rejoice over all means of grace...

I rejoiced over your testimonies, I was glad when they said to me ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’ (Ps. 122: 1), There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God. (Ps. 46:4)

Words of Spiritual Benefit — Volume I

HH Pope Shenouda III

Friday, 8 January

30 Kiahk

The Departure of St John, Archpriest of Scetis

Readings of 30 Kiahk

Vespers

Psalm 72:1,2

Matthew 12:15-23

Matins

Psalm 72:11,19

Matthew 22:41-46

Mass

Galatians 4:19-5:1

1 John 4:15-5:4

Acts 13:36-43

Psalm 72:19,17

John 1:1-13

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word

was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was

in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made

through Him, and without Him nothing was made

that was made. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life

was the light of men. ⁵ And the light shines in the

darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 1:1-5

5 - The Problem Of Excuses

Many try to find excuses to cover up some of their sins, in order not to be blamed or to justify their failure in doing good deeds...

It is an ancient fault that goes back to Adam and Eve! Eve's excuse was that the serpent tempted her. She did not have to obey the serpent; so it is an unacceptable excuse.

Exactly like Adam's excuse that the woman gave him the fruit, again he could have refused it!

How true is the saying: the road to hell is full of excuses! Even the servant who hid his talent in the ground gave an excuse worse than his bad deed. He told his master that he was a hard man, reaping where he had not sown!!

Many find an excuse for not praying by saying that they have no time, while they have enough time for various amusements and visits. In fact, they do not have the desire to pray.

Most of those who do not offer the tithes to God say that they do not have enough, while the widow who gave the two mites from her needs did not think of an excuse. The same with the widow of Zarephath in Sidon, who offered her flour and oil to the prophet Elijah during the famine, while she badly needed them.

David, the young boy, had many excuses to avoid fighting Goliath!... He was not a soldier and nobody expected him to volunteer. He was young and even the old feared Goliath who was a giant and hard to defeat... etc, but David's fiery zeal would not allow excuses...

The robber on the right had excuses against belief but he never used them! How would he believe in a God whom he saw crucified and who seemed unable to save himself. The robber heard the people's mockery and challenges echoing in his ears but he would not take it as an excuse not to believe...

Fear was not an excuse for Daniel when he was taken to the lion's den or an excuse for the three youths when taken to the furnace...

The love of the only son could have been used as an excuse for Abraham when God asked him to offer his son, the child of promise, who was born after tens of years!!

The friends of the paralytic had many excuses if they wanted. But the obstacles did not stop them. They uncovered the roof and let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying...

The one who overcomes hardships and does not use them as an excuse, proves the truth of his inner intentions.

But the weak-willed, or the one with a weak determination reminds us of the saying of the Bible, the slothful man says, 'there is a lion in the road' (Prov. 26:13)

Words of Spiritual Benefit — Volume I

HH Pope Shenouda III

Saturday, 9 January

1 Tubah

Departure of Archdeacon Stephen

Readings of 1 Tubah

Vespers

Psalm 5:11, 12

Matthew 10:24-33

Matins

Psalm 34:19, 20

John 12:20-26

Mass

2 Corinthians 11:16-12:12

1 Peter 1:25-2:10

Acts 6:1-7:2

Psalm 21:3, 5

Luke 10:1-20

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 10:17-20

Q&A - Baptism of Infants

A non-Christian doctor was asking why we baptize new born babies and what sins do they have?

The path of salvation begins with the Holy Sacrament of Baptism. Every human being is born with Original Sin. Thus, only one Holy Baptism is required for the absolution of that grave sin. By immersion, the baptized individual dies and rises with Christ and puts on Christ. He/she has then become a truly new person. Thereafter, cleansing and renewal are obtained through the Holy Sacrament of Confession. Holy Baptism is the initiating rite into the family of God which replaced the former mandatory ritual of circumcision. A child at eight days old is unaware of this rite into salvation at the time under the Jewish law. Yet, this ritual was exercised in order to bring the male child into the fold of God's chosen people.

There are several accounts in the Holy Scripture which reveal that salvation was promised and carried out to entire families:

• Rahab's family: Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father's house, and give me a token, and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death (Joshua 2:12,13).

• Zacchaeus and his household: Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:9).

• Lydia, the seller of purple from the Thyatira, and her household: And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, 'If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.' So she persuaded us (Acts 16:15).

These examples illustrate how the call of salvation was to the entire family and household. This could include infants, young children, servants, and the elderly. There is no discrimination of age, status, or mental functioning. The entire household was called to salvation. In these three episodes, all it took was one person who initiated the invitation and took leadership for the spiritual edification of the entire family. Thus, even today, whether an adult or an infant is baptized, the church appoints godparents for that individual to help guide him/her on a sound spiritual path.

A more contemporary example is that of citizenship. When one aspires to obtain citizenship in the United States, he/she must first pass an oral/written exam on elements of the U.S. Constitution and other pertinent facts relating to U.S. history. If he/she passes the exam, then he/she can be sworn in as a bona fide American citizen with full rights to vote and experience all the benefits as a native of the land. However, when there are children involved who are below a certain age and who were not born in the U.S. but came as immigrants with their families, they are granted citizenship according to the status of their parents.

Since our heavenly citizenship is the one for which we are striving, we must not be complacent about our family members, young or old, abled or disabled. All are called to salvation. No one can guarantee the life of the infant, so it is incumbent upon the parents to ensure that the child will have an opportunity to be baptized unto salvation. Therefore, based on the faith and commitment of the parents to raise godly children in the love and fear of God, infant baptism had been allowed and practiced since the beginning of Christianity.

https://www.suscopts.org/q&a/index.php

Sunday, 10 January

2 Tubah

Departure of St Theonas (16th) Pope of Alexandria

Readings of 1st Sunday of Tubah

Vespers

Psalm 47:1,2

Luke 4:40-44

Matins

Psalm 93:1,2

Luke 4:31-37

Mass

Romans 15:4-19

1 John 3:1-11

Acts 14:24-15:3

Psalm 98:2,3

Matthew 2:13-23

¹³ Now when they had departed, behold, an angel

of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying,

"Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee

to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for

Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him."

¹⁴ When he arose, he took the young Child and

His mother by night and departed for Egypt, ¹⁵ and

was there until the death of Herod, that it might be

fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the

prophet, saying, Out of Egypt I called My Son.

Matthew 2:13-15

Sunday Gospel - Matthew 2:13-23

The Flight into Egypt

¹³ Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.

¹⁴ When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, ¹⁵ and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt I called My Son.

Massacre of the Innocents

¹⁶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. ¹⁷ Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:

¹⁸ "A voice was heard in Ramah,

Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,

Rachel weeping for her children,

Refusing to be comforted,

Because they are no more."

The Home in Nazareth

¹⁹ Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead. 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.

²² But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. ²³ And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Monday, 11 January

3 Tubah

Feast of the Slain Children of Bethlehem

Readings of 3 Tubah

Vespers

Psalm 115:12, 13

Matthew 18:1-7

Matins

Psalm 119:130, 141

Matthew 18:10-20

Mass

1 Corinthians 13:11-14:4

1 Peter 1:25-2:10

Acts 9:22-30

Psalm 113:1

Matthew 2:13-23

¹³ Now when they had departed, behold, an angel

of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying,

"Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee

to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for

Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him."

¹⁴ When he arose, he took the young Child and

His mother by night and departed for Egypt, ¹⁵ and

was there until the death of Herod, that it might be

fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the

prophet, saying, Out of Egypt I called My Son.

Matthew 2:13-15

6 - Fasting And Its Spirituality

Fasting is not just a bodily virtue... It is not just abstaining from food for a period of time then not eating food with animal fat. There is a spiritual element in it...

The first spiritual element is controlling the will. With the same will that regulated food, one can command one's talking by not using unsuitable expressions, as well as controlling thoughts and feelings. Mar Isaac said: Abstinence of the tongue is better than abstinence of the mouth; and abstinence of the heart is better than both.

The second element in the spiritual fast is repentance:

In the fasting of Nineveh, we notice that the people did not only abstain from eating but, everyone turned from his evil way and from the violence that was in his hands. God looked to the repentance more than the fasting, Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way, and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it. (Jon. 3:8- 10).

So fasting has to be accompanied by humility and contrition in front of God as it was clear in the fasting of the people of

Nineveh. They also covered themselves with sackcloth and sat in ashes. It is also clear in Joel, Consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly... Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, and the bride from her dressing room. Let the priests, who minister to the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, let them say, spare Your people, 0 Lord... ' (Joel 2:15-17).

Fasting does not mean just depriving the body of its food, but there must be a positive side, which is the feeding of the spirit.

Therefore, fasting is connected with prayer as in the Church's prayers and as it happened in all the well-known fasts in the Bible such as that of Nehemiah, Ezra, Daniel and the people of Nineveh.

This is evident in the saying, call a sacred assembly...

It is a spiritual opportunity to mortify the body in order to elevate the spirit:

Mortifying the body is just a means, but the aim is to elevate the spirit through prayers, meditation, readings and all the means of grace, far from bodily hindrances...

We have to remember here that God rejects the fasting which is not spiritual: as the hypocrites' fasting (Matt. 6:16), and the Pharisee (Luke 18:11-12) and the wrong way of fasting, described by Isaiah. (Is. 58:3-7)

Words of Spiritual Benefit — Volume I

HH Pope Shenouda III

Tuesday, 12 January

4 Tubah

Departure of St John the Evangelist

Readings of 4 Tubah

Vespers

Psalm 19:1, 4

John 15:7-16

Matins

Psalm 45:1, 2

John 1:1-17

Mass

Romans 10:4-18

1 John 1:1-2:6

Acts 3:1-16

Psalm 139:17, 18

John 21:15-25

¹⁷ He said to him the third time, "Simon, son

of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved

because He said to him the third time, "Do you

love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know all

things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to

him, "Feed My sheep.

John 21:17

7 - The Wheat And The Tares

Your job is not to pull up the tares, but to grow as wheat. When the wheat harvester comes, He will find the ears of your wheat full, and will gather thirty and sixty and a hundred until His barns are filled with wheat.

The Lord Jesus never wasted His time in resisting faults...

He did not spend the period of His Incarnation on earth struggling with those at fault or with problems of society and church. He took care of building, laying new principles and preparing people to believe in them and spread them everywhere.

It is a waste of energy to be absorbed in gathering up the tares.

The devil is ready to occupy you all the time by various problems and offers you endless mistakes. His main aim is to distract you from building yourself and building the kingdom of heaven, by fighting these mistakes.

By pulling the tares, you may lose your inner peace and probably your peace with people too; as you are going to live in a struggle.

Therefore, you will lose your quietness and serenity and maybe your meekness as well.. These problems may create an atmosphere of endless disturbances and differences that may agitate you and surround you by continual rage.

Likewise, as you lose your gentleness and quietness, you may also lose your cheerfulness. People will see you ever gloomy with no smile. Anger and sorrow might control you and you might accept them as holy anger and grief for God's sake..

This may lead you to cruelty of the heart...

You will always judge those who are wrong, revolting against their mistakes, taking the excuse of pulling up the tares from them. You will be always in clamour and you may raise your voice, rebuke and yell at people and become annoyed with everything...

During all that, you may lose your love to people and lose your gentleness. So, while you are gathering up the tares from others, you will probably pull the wheat that is in you. People will look and see you like the tares, in everything...

Few are those who could pick the tares and, at the same time, keep their wheat. Therefore, it is good that God prevented His children from pulling up the tares for fear of picking the wheat too.

It is well said in the Bible Do not resist evil...

The best way of gathering up tares is by setting a good example to overcome them. As a wise man said, "Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle.

Words of Spiritual Benefit — Volume I

HH Pope Shenouda III

Wednesday, 13 January

5 Tubah

The Martyrdom of St Eugenius the Soldier

Readings of 25 Hatour

Vespers

Psalm 18:34-39

Matthew 8:5-13

Matins

Psalm 68:35, 3

Luke 12:4-12

Mass

2 Corinthians 10:1-18

1 Peter 4:1-11

Acts 12:25-13:12

Psalm 45:3, 4

Matthew 12:9-23

¹⁵ But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there.

And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed

them all. ¹⁶ Yet He warned them not to make

Him known, ¹⁷ that it might be fulfilled which was

spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: ¹⁸ "Behold!

My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved

in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My

Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the

Gentiles.

Matthew 12:15-18

8 - Ways Of Solving Problems

Everyone is liable to face problems, but the important thing is how to deal with them and reach a solution.

Some try to tackle a problem by violence and confrontation... whether a materialistic violence or violence of action and words.

A person talks angrily to whoever caused the problem, using force and loud voice. Clashing with people might result in losing their friendship and love...

Another person may solve a problem by using his authority, giving orders and prohibitions. That happens between a father and his children, or a husband to his wife, or a boss to his subordinates. It is easy to use authority, it does not cost anything. Authority however has many reactions which could also have the same violence. It could lead to revolting against authority... or at least, if the problem is solved on the surface, it will remain inside the heart, and in the feelings and relationships.

Some tend to escape from a problem, thinking this is the solution...

They do not face the problem but try to defer it or keep away and escape from it. This is no solution... as the problem would return after some time, troubling them and remaining there unsolved.

Others try to solve a problem by ignoring it...

One may try to convince oneself that there is no problem. One thinks that by closing one's eyes, one would not see it and it would not trouble one. The problem will remain there, but one will not talk about it, or think of it, or study it...

For each problem there are several solutions... by proper and quiet thinking and by wisdom, as King Solomon used to solve the problems presented to him or facing him.

A problem could be solved through prayer, by laying it before God and sometimes by fasting and masses, as the saints used to do...

Although some problems need a fast decision, yet others could be solved through patience and endurance...

It is not appropriate to solve a problem by creating another problem.

It is not proper either to solve a problem by doing something wrong and through non-spiritual means, like those who tackle their problems with lies or in a cunning and roundabout way, or by worldly tricks and deceiving people!!

Words of Spiritual Benefit — Volume I

HH Pope Shenouda III

Thursday, 14 January

6 Tubah

The Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord

Readings of 6 Tubah

Vespers

Psalm 116:16-19

Luke 2:15-20

Matins

Psalm 66:13-15

Luke 2:40-52

Mass

Philippians 3:1-12

2 Peter 1:12-21

Acts 15:13-21

Psalm 50:14, 23

Luke 2:21-39

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."

Luke 2:27-32

9 - Words Of Consolation In Times

Of Distress

David, the prophet, said to God, Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction. (Ps. 119:49,50)

You too, in times of distress and hardships, remember the following sayings and you will be comforted:

• ... and Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matt. 28:20)

• No weapon formed against you shall prosper.

• (Is. 54:17)

• It is I, do not be afraid. (John 6:20)

• The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace (Ex. 14:14)

• If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive,... Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers, the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. (Ps. 124:2,3,6-8)

• For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous. (Ps. 125:3)

• Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you (Gen. 28: 15)

• They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you (Jer. 1: 19)

• Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you .. (Acts 18:9-10)

• In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

• Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me. The ploughers ploughed on my back; they made their furrows long. The Lord is righteous. He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked. (Ps. 129:2-4)

• You pushed me violently, that I might fall, but the Lord helped me (Ps. 118:13)

• Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. (Ps. 23:4)

• A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. (Ps. 91:7-8)

• The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in ... (Ps. 121:7-8)

• "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? ... Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear, though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident. (Ps. 27:1-3)

• Gird Your sword upon Your thigh ,O Mighty One ,with Your glory and Your majesty. (Ps. 45:3)

• ... the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it... (Matt. 16:18)

Words of Spiritual Benefit — Volume I

HH Pope Shenouda III

Friday, 15 January

7 Tubah

Departure of St Silvester Pope of Rome

Readings of 17 Hatour

Vespers

Psalm 132:9,10 & 18

Matthew 4:23-5:16

Matins

Psalm 110:4,5

Luke 6:17-23

Mass

2 Timothy 3:10-4:22

1 Peter 5:1-14

Acts 20:17-38

Psalm 73:23,28

John 10:1-16

¹¹ "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd

gives His life for the sheep.

John 10:11

10 - Theoretical Thinking And

Practical Life

Theoretical thinking is just a thought without experience or actual study of the fact. This kind of thought imagines that matters proceed very naturally, without obstacles on the way, following certain rules that this thinker put in his mind.

It is exactly like a person who says that the distance between two countries by sea is so many miles. If the ship sailed at a specific speed, it should arrive on such a day, at such an hour... The ship then gets into the actual fact, where it could be hit by waves or wind and fail to move, resist with difficulty or change its direction. It might arrive after days, or it might never arrive!!

The actual fact is full of obstacles and hindrances that nobody knows, except the one who has experienced the practical life in its minute details.

The one who thinks theoretically sits at his desk and writes thoughts, just thoughts... and will be puzzled why they did not work!! He might criticise and blame. He might even go as far in his criticism as to accusation! ... He would, at least, accuse others of negligence, carelessness or lack of knowledge!!

In these theoretical accusations, he would not be aware of the practical obstacles, as the saying goes, Woe to the thinker who is worse than a fool.

If this person was aware of the nature of the situation and the practical results and obstacles, he might have connected his thoughts together...

One obstacle may change many wise plans...

A practical person who has faced reality and experienced life would perfectly understand that matters do not proceed according to his plans and preferences?

He knows the ground that he walks on... He assumes some plans, this is also taken into consideration... Any failure he faces will add to his experience and knowledge and make his future thinking more practical...

The theoretician might think that reformation is carried out by issuing a number of orders and decisions... while the practical thinker asks what would be the effectiveness of these decisions...

When he takes a decision, he follows it practically to see its line of progress. Does it move naturally or stop? If it does stop, why? What is the solution? Does it need any modification?

My brother do not be theoretical in your thinking. Do not be hasty in criticising others, but study the facts and be practical.

Words of Spiritual Benefit — Volume I

HH Pope Shenouda III

Saturday, 16 January

8 Tubah

Departure of St Benjamin the 38th Pope of

Alexandria

Readings of 3 Abib

Vespers

Psalm 110:4, 5

Matthew 16:13-19

Matins

Psalm 73:23, 24, 28

John 15:17-25

Mass

2 Corinthians 4:5-5:11

1 Peter 2:18-3:7

Acts 20:17-38

Psalm 107:32, 41, 42

John 10:1-16

¹¹ "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd

gives His life for the sheep.

John 10:11

Q&A - Church

How do we reply to those who say church is not important, and that everyone can pray at home? It is not a need to go to church. How do we reply to those remarks?

But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; in fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple (Psalm 5:7).

Most of the holy sacraments take place in the Church. The sanctity of the Church is uniquely consecrated entirely to Christ and the Christian faith. The Church is more than just a mere building. It is a living abode of doctrine, faith, and holiness. In his letter to the Ephesians (5:22-33), St. Paul writes extensively about Christ's love and ultimate sacrifice for the Church and resembled it to the thread of unity, love, and respect between a husband and wife. The Church is the community of believers where Christ's disciples gather together in love, harmony, peace, forgiveness, and fellowship. Yes, people have faults and Christians that attend Church have their shortcomings and struggles. Nonetheless, we are united by faith and should help one another through our struggles.

Let us learn from the wisdom of the Church fathers: The Church is a hospital, and not a courtroom, for souls. She does not condemn on behalf of sins, but grants remission of sins.

. Nothing is so joyous in our life as the thanksgiving that we experience in the Church. In the Church, the joyful sustain their joy. In the Church, those worried acquire merriment, and those saddened, joy. In the Church, the troubled find relief, and the heavy-laiden, rest. 'Come, ' says the Lord, 'near me, all of you who labor and are heavy-laiden (with trials and sins), and I will give you rest..' (Matthew 11:28)

What could be more desirable than to meet this voice? What is sweeter than this invitation? The Lord is calling you to the Church for a rich banquet. He transfers you from struggles to rest, and from tortures to relief. He relieves you from the burden of your sins. He heals worries with thanksgiving, and sadness with joy.

. No one is truly free or joyful besides he who lives for Christ. Such a person overcomes all evil and does not fear anything!

St. John Chrysostom

https://www.suscopts.org/q&a/index.php

Sunday, 17 January

9 Tubah

Departure of St Abraam the Monk

Readings of 2nd Sunday of Tubah

Vespers

Psalm 98:3, 9

Matthew 14:22-36

Matins

Psalm 97:1, 2

Mark 3:7-12

Mass

Galatians 5:2-10

1 John 3:18-24

Acts 15:22-29

Psalm 84:6, 65:2

Luke 11:27-36

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.

Luke 11:34

Sunday Gospel - Luke 11:27-36

Keeping the Word

²⁷ And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!

²⁸ But He said, More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!

Seeking a Sign

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.

The Lamp of the Body

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."

Monday, 18 January

10 Tubah

Paramoun of the Holy Epiphany

Readings of 10 Tubah