Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Day 14 of the Blessed Coptic Month of Baramhat, 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 Fourteenth Day of the Blessed Month of Baramhat
Departure of Anba Kyrellos (Cyril) the Seventy Fifth Pope of Alexandria
On this day of the year 959 A.M. (Marsh 10, 1243 A.D.) departed the holy father Anba Kyrellos, the seventy fifth Pope of Alexandria, who was known as Ebn-Loqloq. This father was enthroned on the twenty third of the month of Baounah, 951 A.M. (June 17th., 1235 A.D.). There were objections at first in choosing him but finally they unanimously agreed on him. During the days of this father a holy council convened, which was attended by all the bishops of the See of St. Mark, and they put down a comprehensive cannons for the church. The honorable scholar El-Safy Ebn El-Assal was the secretary of this council. This father sat on the Patriarchal Chair for seven years, eight month and twenty three days. He departed in El-Shamaa (Wax) monastery in the year 959 A.M. (March 10, 1243 A.D.)
May His prayers be with us. Amen.
Martyrdom of St.Shenouda (Sinouti) El Bahnasawy
On this day also St. Shenouda (Sinouti) El Bahnasawy was martyred. Certain men laid accusations against him before Maximianus, a governor appointed by Diocletian, that he was Christian. The Governor brought him, and asked him about his faith, and the Saint confessed his faith in the Lord Christ and that He was the True God. He ordered the soldiers to throw him on the ground, to beat him with hammers until his flesh was torn, and his blood flew on the ground, then they casted him into a prison with repulsive odor. The Lord sent Michael the Archangel to him, healed his wounds, encouraged and strengthened him. He told him that he will receive the crown of glory after he had endured what would befall him from severe tortures. On the next morning the Governor ordered his soldiers to go and look at him, and they found him standing up praying. When they told the Governor about him and when he saw him whole and un-harmed, he was amazed and said: "He is a sorcerer." Then he ordered to crucify him with his head downwards, and to light fire under him, but it did not harm him. They squeezed him with the wheel and finally they beheaded him and hacked his body into pieces with swords and casted him to the dogs which did not come near him. During the night the believers took him and poured over him expensive perfumes, shrouded him in costly wrappings, laid him in a coffin and buried him.
May his prayers be with us. Amen. .
Martyrdom of the Saints Eugenius, Agathodorus and Elpidius
On this day also the Saints Eugenius, Agathodorus and Elpidius were martyred. These holy men were Christians, through their fathers and forefathers, walking in the way of God, and had a great deal of knowledge about the church subjects. St. Hermon (Armos) Patriarch of Jerusalem ordained them bishops without parishes to go around preaching and teaching the word of God. They went and preached in many cities, and the people of one of the cities went out, beat them very severely, then they stoned them until they departed in peace and received the crown of martyrdom.
May their prayers be with us and Glory be to God forever. Amen.
Readings for Thursday of fifth week of Great Lent
Matins
Isaiah 42 : 5 - 16 Proverbs 4 : 20 - 27 Job 29 : 2 - 20 1 Samuel 3 : 1 - 20
Isaiah 42 : 5 - 16
Chapter 42
| 5 | Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it: |
| 6 | "I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, |
| 7 | To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. |
| 8 | I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. |
| 9 | Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them." |
| 10 | Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise from the ends of the earth, You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, You coastlands and you inhabitants of them! |
| 11 | Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice, The villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing, Let them shout from the top of the mountains. |
| 12 | Let them give glory to the LORD, And declare His praise in the coastlands. |
| 13 | The LORD shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies. |
| 14 | "I have held My peace a long time, I have been still and restrained Myself. Now I will cry like a woman in labor, I will pant and gasp at once. |
| 15 | I will lay waste the mountains and hills, And dry up all their vegetation; I will make the rivers coastlands, And I will dry up the pools. |
| 16 | I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them. |
Proverbs 4 : 20 - 27
Chapter 4
| 20 | My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. |
| 21 | Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; |
| 22 | For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. |
| 23 | Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. |
| 24 | Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. |
| 25 | Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. |
| 26 | Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. |
| 27 | Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil. |
Job 29 : 2 - 20
Chapter 29
| 2 | "Oh, that I were as in months past, As in the days when God watched over me; |
| 3 | When His lamp shone upon my head, And when by His light I walked through darkness; |
| 4 | Just as I was in the days of my prime, When the friendly counsel of God was over my tent; |
| 5 | When the Almighty was yet with me, When my children were around me; |
| 6 | When my steps were bathed with cream, And the rock poured out rivers of oil for me! |
| 7 | "When I went out to the gate by the city, When I took my seat in the open square, |
| 8 | The young men saw me and hid, And the aged arose and stood; |
| 9 | The princes refrained from talking, And put their hand on their mouth; |
| 10 | The voice of nobles was hushed, And their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth. |
| 11 | When the ear heard, then it blessed me, And when the eye saw, then it approved me; |
| 12 | Because I delivered the poor who cried out, The fatherless and the one who had no helper. |
| 13 | The blessing of a perishing man came upon me, And I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. |
| 14 | I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban. |
| 15 | I was eyes to the blind, And I was feet to the lame. |
| 16 | I was a father to the poor, And I searched out the case that I did not know. |
| 17 | I broke the fangs of the wicked, And plucked the victim from his teeth. |
| 18 | "Then I said, "I shall die in my nest, And multiply my days as the sand. |
| 19 | My root is spread out to the waters, And the dew lies all night on my branch. |
| 20 | My glory is fresh within me, And my bow is renewed in my hand.' |
1 Samuel 3 : 1 - 20
Chapter 3
| 1 | Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. |
| 2 | And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, |
| 3 | and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, |
| 4 | that the LORD called Samuel. And he answered, "Here I am!" |
| 5 | So he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." And he said, "I did not call; lie down again." And he went and lay down. |
| 6 | Then the LORD called yet again, "Samuel!" So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." He answered, "I did not call, my son; lie down again." |
| 7 | (Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.) |
| 8 | And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you did call me." Then Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy. |
| 9 | Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, "Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears."' So Samuel went and lay down in his place. |
| 10 | Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel answered, "Speak, for Your servant hears." |
| 11 | Then the LORD said to Samuel: "Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. |
| 12 | In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. |
| 13 | For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them. |
| 14 | And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever." |
| 15 | So Samuel lay down until morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision. |
| 16 | Then Eli called Samuel and said, "Samuel, my son!" He answered, "Here I am." |
| 17 | And he said, "What is the word that the LORD spoke to you? Please do not hide it from me. God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the things that He said to you." |
| 18 | Then Samuel told him everything, and hid nothing from him. And he said, "It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him." |
| 19 | So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. |
| 20 | And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the LORD. |
Matins
Matins Psalm
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 86 : 14 - 14
Chapter 86
| 14 | 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. |
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 Luke the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.
Luke 9 : 37 - 43
Chapter 9
| 37 | Now it happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met Him. |
| 38 | Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, "Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child. |
| 39 | And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him. |
| 40 | So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." |
| 41 | Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." |
| 42 | And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father. |
| 43 | And they were all amazed at the majesty of God. But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, |
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 10 : 14 - end
Chapter 10
| 14 | Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. |
| 15 | I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. |
| 16 | The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? |
| 17 | For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread. |
| 18 | Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? |
| 19 | What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? |
| 20 | Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. |
| 21 | You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons. |
| 22 | Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? |
| 23 | All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. |
| 24 | Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being. |
| 25 | Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake; |
| 26 | for "the earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness." |
| 27 | If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience' sake. |
| 28 | But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience' sake; for "the earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness." |
| 29 | "Conscience," I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience? |
| 30 | But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? |
| 31 | Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. |
| 32 | Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, |
| 33 | just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. |
1 Corinthians 11 : 1 - 1
Chapter 11
| 1 | Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. |
The grace of God the Father be with you all.
Amen.
Catholic Epistle
A Reading from Epistle 1 of St. Peter .
May his blessing be upon us.
Amen.
1 Peter 1 : 2 - 8
Chapter 1
| 2 | elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. |
| 3 | Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, |
| 4 | to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, |
| 5 | who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. |
| 6 | In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, |
| 7 | that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, |
| 8 | whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, |
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 21 : 5 - 14
Chapter 21
| 5 | When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed. |
| 6 | When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home. |
| 7 | And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. |
| 8 | On the next day we who were Paul's companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. |
| 9 | Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. |
| 10 | And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. |
| 11 | When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, "So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles."' |
| 12 | Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. |
| 13 | Then Paul answered, "What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." |
| 14 | So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The will of the Lord be done." |
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 86 : 17 - 17
Chapter 86
| 17 | Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me. |
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.
Luke 13 : 10 - 17
Chapter 13
| 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. |
And Glory be to God forever.
صلي نيافة الحبر الجليل أبينا الحبيب والمكرم الأنبا بولس “أسقف العمران” أسقف إيبارشية أوتاوا ومونتريال وشرق كندا القداس الإلهي لعيد الصليب المقدس في كنيسة مار جرجس والقديس يوسف في منطقة الويست إيلاند مع الآباء الآجلاء كهنة الكنيسة. وتم عمل دورة الصليب “زفة الصليب” وسط فرحة الشعب وتراتيل كل الكنيسة والشعب مع نيافة الأنبا بولس.
֍ فلسفة علامة الصليب: الله قادر أن يحول الضعف إلي خلاص:
وقال أبونا الأسقف جزيل الاحترام الأنبا بولس في عظته عن عيد الصليب: بسم الآب والابن والروح القدسـ اله واحد أمين ولتحل علينا بركته .. علامة الصليبـ في كثير من العالم يعتبروها علامة وهن وضعف، لكن السيد المسيح له المجد أخذ هذه العلامة، وجعلها علامة قوة، كما قال بولس الصليب هو قوة الله، وربما الصليب له فلسفة، وهو أن الله يقدر أن ينشئ من الضعف قوة.
كما معلمنا بولس الرسول: حاشا لي افتخر الا بصليب ربنا يسوع المسيح. جاء ربنا أخذ الذي لنا، الطبيعة القديمة الخاطئة القابلة للموت، ووضعها علي الصليب، وأخذت عقوبة الموت، وأعطانا الحياة والقوة. كما قال معلمنا أثناسيوس الرسول: وبما ان الكلمة متحد بهذا الجسد، فلا يري فسادا، الجسد الذي أخذه من السيدة العذراء، الذي اخذ به خطايانا، قد صلبه، وهذا الجسد، مات بدلا عنا. ولم يقدر فلاسفة اليونان أو علماء اليهود أن يستوعبوا هذا. كيف أن السيد المسيحـ الذي صلب عنا علي الصليب، كيف قام؟ اعتبروها جهالة، حيث اعتبروا كل من يؤمن بها ويقول بذلك، اعتبروه جاهل ومختل العقل، كيف هذا المصلوب؟ هو الهنا، كيف هذا الضعف؟ هو قوتنا؟
يرتلون الشمامسة اليوم صباحا، وأمس مساء في عشية “أن الصليب سلاحنا .. قوتنا”. فأصغر طفل عندما يرشم علامة الصليب، قادر أن يرعب أقوى سلاطين الظلم. لذا إذا كان العالم يري في الصليب ضعف، لكن نحن المؤمنون بيسوع المسيح، الذي صلب لأجلنا، نعتبره قوة اللهوقد قال معلمنا بولس الرسول:” لا يكون صليب المسيح باطلا، لأن كلمة الصليب عن غير المؤمنين جهالة، أما عندنا نحن المؤمنين بيسوع المسيح قوة، من المهم أن نعلم أولادنا رشم الصليب علي أحسادنا وملابسنا وأكلنا وطريقنا، فرشم الصليب ليست علامة فارعة، بل يحوي قوة كبيرة، هذا هو الصليب عن المخلصين، أخذ الذي لنا الضعف والخطية وكل ما يفسد طبيعتنا، وحولها إلي قوة وإلي حياة مقامة دامئا في المسيح يسوع.
֍ الصليب عند غير المؤمنين جهالة وخنوع .. لكن عند المؤمنين قوة وخلاص:
أضاف أبونا الأسقف الحبيب والمكرم جزيل الاحترام الأنبا بولس “أسقف العمران”: النقطة الثانية، البعض يأخذ فكرة الصليب خنوع وضعف، أي خاضعين بسبب قوة ظالمة، لكن الحقيقة، لأ .. كما قال بولس الصليب، حاشا لي أن افتخر إلا بصليب سيدنا يسوع المسيح. الصليب هو قوة الله، في رسالة الكاثوليكون، قال معلمنا بطرس في رسالته، للتدريب علي حمل الصليب، أنظروا ماذا فعل؟ هو البار، الذي لم يفعل خطية؟ ولم يفتح كشاه سيقت إلي ذابيحها، تحمل خطاينا.
وعندما ترشم الصليب، تأخذ القوة، التي في الصليب. فمن يضطهدنا أو يشتمنا، تجد نفسك تبدأ في الدفاع تلقائيا عن نفسك. لكن السيد المسيح لطم، وتفل عليه، ولم يفتح فاه. وانتم أولاد الله، وكل ما لله، معطي لكم. ولذا عندما تضطهد أو يسبك أحد أو يسئ إليك، تذكر يسوع المسيح وصليبه المحيي، وارشم علامة الصليب علي جسدك. فلو عملتم عملا سيئا، واضطهدوكم، فهذا طبيعي، لكن لو عاملين أمر جيد، واضطهدوكم، فهذا فضل من عند الله.
أكد نيافة الحبر الجليل أبينا الحبيب والمكرم الأنبا بولس “أسقف العمران” أسقف إيبارشية أوتاوا ومونتريال وشرق كندا أن: الصليب في حياتنا قوة، لا تتركوه، نرشمه علي أيدينا، ونعلقه في رقبتنا، ونضعه علي أعلي نقطة في الكنيسة، الصليب علامة الغلبة والقوة، والشيطان لا يجب أن يجعله علامة فقط. وعندما نرشم الصليب، نرشمه بإيمان قوة الصليب، السلام لخشبة الصليب، التي صلب عليها يسوع المسيح ليخلصنا من خطايانا، ارشموا الصليب، وقدسوا حياتكم.
الله يعطيكم قوة الصليب المفدي في حياتكم، لكي تعرفوا الخلاص المعد لنا من قبل أبينا السماوي.