History tells me it has been true! Faith trusts it will be true eternally! Reverent silences, a pause in the hectic rush of our lives, reminds us that it is true today.
Day 4 of the Blessed Coptic Month of Baounah, may God make it always received, year after year, with reassurance and tranquility, while our sins after forgiven by the tender mercies of our God my fathers and brothers.
Amen.
The Fourth Day of the Blessed Month of Baounah
Martyrdom of St.Shenousi (Sanusi)
On this day, St. Sanusi (Shenousi), who was from Balkim, was martyred. When he was a young man, he tended the sheep. He used to give his food to the young shepherds, and spend his day fasting. He visited the sick and those who were in prison. One night, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a vision and told him, "Rise up, and go before the governor and confess your God to receive the crown of martyrdom." When he woke up from his sleep, he told that to his mother. She was sorry and wept for she was unable to prevent him. He had heard about a righteous holy woman, in the city of Shoubra, whose name was Mariam. She received the poor and the sojourners and did many good deeds. He went to her, and both agreed on receiving the crown of martyrdom. They went to Arsanos, the governor, who was residing in a ship anchored on the bank of the river Nile. They cried out before him saying, "We are Christians." He ordered that they be tortured. While they were torturing them, St. Mariam delivered up her soul in the hand of the Lord. The Lord Christ comforted and strengthened St. Sanusi. When the Governor failed to change his conviction, he sent him with many others to the Governor of Ansena (Antinoe), who tortured him severely. Then, he brought a sorcerer from Akhmeem, who gave the Saint a drink mixed with poison. The Saint having made over it the sign of the Cross, drank it, and no harm came to him. When the governor was tired of torturing him, he ordered him put to death. They cut off his head with the sword. The sorcerer believed when he saw that, so they cut off his head also. Both received the crown of martyrdom.
May their prayers be with us. Amen.
Martyrdom of Saint Anba Amoun and the Righteous Sophia
On this day also, Saint Anba Amoun and St. Sophia were martyred.
May their prayers be with us. Amen.
Martyrdom of John of Herakleia
. This day also, marks the martyrdom of St. John of Herakleia.
May his prayer be with us. Amen.
Departure of Saint Aba-Hour
Today also, marks the departure of the Saint Aba-Hour in the mount of El-Amoud in the East.
May his prayer be with us. Amen.
Departure of Pope Yoannis the Eighth, the 80th Patriarch
On this day also, of the year 1036 A.M. (May 29th, 1320 A.D.) Pope Yoannis the Eighth (80th Patriarch), departed. He was from Meniat Bani-Khosaim, and was known as El Mo'ataman Ebn El-Kedees, and his name was Yohanna Ben-Ebsal. He became a monk in the monastery of El-Shahran, and was ordained Patriarch on the nineteenth of Amshir, 1016 A.M. (February 14th, 1300 A.D.). During his days severe tribulations befell the Christians. They forced them to tinge their turbans with the color blue. Churches were closed in old Cairo, Cairo, and then in different parts of the country except the monasteries in Alexandria, and some churches in other cities. An envoy from the king of Spain came to intercede on behalf of the Christians. Two churches were opened, one of them was the Coptic church of the Virgin Lady in Haret Zeewailah and the other was the Malachite church of St.Nicholas in Elhamzawe. He was a contemporary of the Saint Anba Barsouma known as El-Erian Ebn-Eltaban, who departed during his days. The Patriarch prayed over him on the 5th of El-Nasi 1021 A.M. This Patriarch was the last to reside in the church of Abu-Saifain in Cairo. He was the first to relocate the patriarchal chair to the church of the Virgin Lady in Haret Zeewailah. He was residing there in the year 1303 A.D. when a severe earthquake took place that destroyed a large part of Syria and Egypt. Ebn-kabre indicated that this Patriarch had made some changes in the Liturgy. He departed after remaining on the chair for twenty years, three months, and fifteen days and was buried in the monastery of El-Shahran.
May his prayers be with us and Glory be to God forever. Amen.
Vespers
Vespers Psalm
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 107 : 2 - 3
Chapter 107
| 2 | Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, |
| 3 | And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south. |
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
Vespers Gospel
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint Luke the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.
Luke 8 : 40 - 56
Chapter 8
| 40 | So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him. |
| 41 | And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus' feet and begged Him to come to his house, |
| 42 | for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. |
| 43 | Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, |
| 44 | came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. |
| 45 | And Jesus said, "Who touched Me?" When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, "Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, "Who touched Me?"' |
| 46 | But Jesus said, "Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me." |
| 47 | Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. |
| 48 | And He said to her, "Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace." |
| 49 | While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher." |
| 50 | But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." |
| 51 | When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. |
| 52 | Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping." |
| 53 | And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. |
| 54 | But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Little girl, arise." |
| 55 | Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. |
| 56 | And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened. |
And Glory be to God forever.
Matins
Matins Psalm
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 33 : 5 - 6
Chapter 33
| 5 | He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. |
| 6 | By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. |
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
Matins Gospel
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint John the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.
John 17 : 1 - 13
Chapter 17
| 1 | Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, |
| 2 | as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. |
| 3 | And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. |
| 4 | I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. |
| 5 | And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. |
| 6 | "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. |
| 7 | Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. |
| 8 | For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. |
| 9 | "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. |
| 10 | And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. |
| 11 | Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. |
| 12 | While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. |
| 13 | But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. |
And Glory be to God forever.
Liturgy Gospel
Paulines Epistle
Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God.
A reading from the Epistle of our teacher Paul to the Corinthians .
May his blessings be upon us.
Amen.
1 Corinthians 12 : 31 - 14 : 4
Chapter 12
| 31 | But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. |
Chapter 14
| 1 | Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. |
| 2 | For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. |
| 3 | But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. |
| 4 | He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. |
The grace of God the Father be with you all.
Amen.
Catholic Epistle
A Reading from Epistle 1 of St. John .
May his blessing be upon us.
Amen.
1 John 2 : 12 - 17
Chapter 2
| 12 | I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. |
| 13 | I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. |
| 14 | I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one. |
| 15 | Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. |
| 16 | For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. |
| 17 | And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. |
Do not love the world or the things in the world.
The world passes away, and its desires; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Amen.
Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of our fathers the apostles, may their blessings be with us.
Acts 1 : 15 - 26
Chapter 1
| 15 | And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, |
| 16 | "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; |
| 17 | for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry." |
| 18 | (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. |
| 19 | And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) |
| 20 | "For it is written in the Book of Psalms: "Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it'; and, "Let another take his office.' |
| 21 | "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, |
| 22 | beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection." |
| 23 | And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. |
| 24 | And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen |
| 25 | to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place." |
| 26 | And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles. |
The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed, in the holy Church of God.
Amen.
Divine Psalm
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint John the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all. Amen.
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet, and the Good King.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 108 : 3 - 4
Chapter 108
| 3 | I will praise You, O LORD, among the peoples, And I will sing praises to You among the nations. |
| 4 | For Your mercy is great above the heavens, And Your truth reaches to the clouds. |
Hallelujah.
Divine Gospel
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
John 17 : 14 - 26
Chapter 17
| 14 | I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. |
| 15 | I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. |
| 16 | They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. |
| 17 | Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. |
| 18 | As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. |
| 19 | And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. |
| 20 | "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; |
| 21 | that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. |
| 22 | And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: |
| 23 | I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. |
| 24 | "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. |
| 25 | O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. |
| 26 | And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them." |
And Glory be to God forever.
But he knew that all these things which he was doing in the way of planting and watering openly were of no avail unless He who gives the increase in secret should give heed to his prayer on their behalf. Because, as the same teacher of the Gentiles says, Neither is he that plants anything, neither he that waters, but God that gives the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:7