Orthodox Church

Repentance is an opening up of the heart so it can accept the joyful Kingdom of God; it is the exercise of a son or a daughter who longs to enter inside the new depths of his/her heavenly Father’s bosom; it is a renewal of the inner man as he/she longs to reach the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Epistle to Ephesians 4:13). Indeed, repentance is a renouncing of sins that prevail in the darkness, and the bonding to the divine Light, the Grantor of victory. As for confession, it cannot be separated from true inner repentance. They both work together to fulfill the ...

Dive deep into the heart of the most holy periods of the Christian liturgical year, Holy Week and Pascha. This exploration invites readers into a profound dialogue with Christ, mirroring the intimate conversations that shape our journey towards spiritual renewal and resurrection under his leadership through His Holy Spirit. The book weaves the narrative of Lazarus Saturday with the sequential days of Holy Week, shedding light on the powerful biblical events and their implications for personal practical faith. From the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday to the profound mysteries of the Last ...

The Ancestors of Israel Glorify God A Poem Dedicated to the Heroes of the Faith glorifying God across history The roots of wisdom are found in the people of God and are mentioned in the Old Testament. Wisdom spread to all nations through the Incarnate Word of God, who offers wisdom and salvation to all humankind. It is only through union with the Lord Jesus Christ that we receive true wisdom, for He is the Incarnated Wisdom of God. He protects His believers from sin and grants them eternal life. Ben Sirach does not mention all the famous ancestors. Instead, he wishes to assert that every ...

The "Patristic Commentary on the Book of Jonah" offers a rich and profound journey through the Old Testament narrative of Jonah. This text is a read for anyone seeking to understand the enduring relevance of ancient scripture in our modern lives. This commentary invites readers from all backgrounds to delve into the spiritual and historical depths of the Book of Jonah. The work presents a critical approach that challenges the reader to contemplate authorship, symbolism, and the structure of the biblical text, while simultaneously providing a clear and accessible interpretation. Through the ...

Encounters of Love and Faith with Saint Cyril VI: Stories of Love, Humility, and the Power of Prayer from Contemporary Men of God Dive into inspirational tales of faith and dedication with "Encounters of Love and Faith with Saint Cyril VI," a compelling booklet that illuminates the unique lives and actions of contemporary Coptic Orthodox Church figures, Anba Samuel, Father Saleeb Soryal and Father Matta El-Meskeen with saint Pope Cyril VI. That collection showcases the profound impact of living in Christ according to biblical teachings, emphasizing the undeniable power of prayer, love, and ...

Jesus Ben Sirach did not only speak to his disciples, but he also prayed for them while in their presence. He also recorded prayers about them. Together with the prayers of the saintly people of God - men and women of earlier times - these are all considered contemporary prayers for new generations. His prayers constitute a dialogue shared between him and God. They offer honor to God in anticipation of His divine care to all human beings, and they also convey the love of humankind. The desire and spirit of prayer are a gift from God. A person who desires to pray stands in the presence of ...

Delve into the depths of early Christian leadership and spirituality with "A Commentary on the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Titus". This epistle, penned by the apostle Paul, is not just a theological discourse but a vibrant call to live in Christ, applicable to all believers in their daily walk. Saint Paul brings to the forefront the essential aspects of Christian shepherding, highlighting the ordination of church leaders and their role in the community. He presents a simplified yet comprehensive portrait of pastoral care that is as relevant today as it was in the nascent days of the ...

God created man in His image as the most perfect of His creation on earth. He did not plan to leave the man in Paradise alone, but to embrace him as His beloved, and to grant mankind unity with Him. God used to speak with Adam for it was written, "... and they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden." (Gen. 3:8). Similarly, God started a dialogue with the first patriarch, Abraham, to declare to him His divine plan, saying, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing?" (Gen. 18:17). God, who is incomprehensible, reveals Himself, His nature, His mysteries, and His will to His ...

Perhaps some may wonder why the divine inspiration used this courting style to express the mutual love between God and His Church. Through the divine inspiration, God speaks to us with the same style in a colloquial manner. Moreover, He also uses the same expressions we use, so that the inspiration is not foreign to us. This interpretation of the divine love as a spiritual marital love that binds the soul with God is not strange in the Bible, but has been used by both the prophets of the Old Testament as well as the Disciples of the New Testament. We shall see this when we discuss the “...

The Church's primary task is ensuring the practical encounter of humanity with the Holy Trinity. This task aims for the Church to regain God's lost image in her because of sin; this, in turn, enables the Church to live through Him, on earth, and to embark on a pleasurable trip, during which she delights in heaven's deposit, through the work of the divine grace. This is the purpose of the Word's incarnation, His crucifixion, His resurrection, His ascension, and His second coming. He is the unique Divine Tutor - the philanthropic Saviour of humanity. Let the Lord grant us now the ...

Dive into the depths of spiritual renewal with "The Book of Joel: A Patristic Commentary" by Fr. Tadros Y. Malaty. This transformative commentary offers a profound exploration of repentance, chastisement, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Whether you're a seeker of wisdom or a student of sacred books, this book invites you to experience a personal journey through the pages of Joel, promising continuous spiritual renewal and a deeper understanding of the divine plan for humanity. Witness the transformation of the heart's wilderness into the fruitful paradise of God with every page ...

Step into the spiritual wisdom of the beloved Apostle, St. John. John. This New Testament Patristic Commentary Series volume delves into the timeless truths of love, truth, and vigilance against deceit, offering a pathway to deepen their relationship with Christ and His Church. In this commentary, the gentle yet powerful voice of St. John the Beloved resonates, calling us to abide in love that springs from the truth—Christ Himself. This epistle, uniquely addressed to a “chosen lady and her children,” reminds us of the unity and equality we share in Christ, who unites us beyond ...

In a world grappling with uncertainty and the quest for authentic significance,' Patristic Commentary: The Epistle of Jude' emerges as a profound guide, illuminating the path. This work delves into the timeless teachings of Jude's epistle, offering a beacon of hope and a call to unwavering faith that resonates powerfully in our modern era. Jude's words echo with striking relevance as we find ourselves on the precipice of times that mirror the trials of early believers. His warnings against apostasy and the promise of Divine glory through Jesus Christ compel us to stay alert in our spiritual...

Rediscover Timeless Wisdom: A Patristic Commentary on The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy Delve into the ancient yet ever-relevant teachings of St. Paul's commentary on The First Epistle to Timothy. This work is for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of pastoral teachings and their enduring significance in our daily lives. This commentary invites readers to consider the practical applications of St. Paul's words. Whether you are a church leader, a seeker of spiritual truths, or simply someone interested in the historical foundations of Christian doctrine, this book offers a rich source ...

Immerse yourself in the spiritual journey of "Fasting," a short pamphlet exploring the ancient Christian practice as viewed through the lens of the Coptic Orthodox Church. With a blend of biblical narratives and theological insights, this guide invites believers and seekers alike to experience the transformative power of fasting. "Fasting is a calling to see God," begins the pamphlet, addressing the innate questions about the purpose and necessity of this discipline, far from a mere abstention from food. Journey through the experiences of Moses and Elijah, whose mountaintops during periods ...

In the early chapters of Acts all the Christians were Jews, that was until (1) Peter went to the God-fearing Roman Centurion Cornelius, and (2) some of the Jewish Christians who had fled Jerusalem, at the havoc wreaked by Saul, later started evangelizing the Greek speaking pagan Gentiles in Antioch in Syria. One of these was Titus, who accompanied Paul and Barnabas with their gift for famine relief to Jerusalem and then had a meeting with Peter, James and John. However, throughout the period of time covered by the Acts of the Apostles, all the leaders, all the teachers, all the evangelists ...

In great sweetness and honest feelings, St. Jacob of Serugh recorded for us the moments of Jesus’ ascension as a unique event that shook Heaven and earth. On that great day, the Lord Jesus Christ met with His Church at the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12), raised His hands and blessed her (Luke 24:50) to enjoy the guarantee of the heavens. And while she was kneeling in front of Him, He raised his hands toward Heaven. This is why St. Jacob stands in amazement, trying to record for us these moments so we can share them. He sees the incarnated Son approaching, the heavenly Groom, holding the lost...

This is book 3 of the series "BROTHERLY LOVE". It discusses the following topics: 1. FAMILY BOND: Caring for every member of the family - Family stability - Love is the pillar of the family structure. 2. PARENTHOOD IN CHRISTIANITY: The concept of parenthood. 3. RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD: The importance of raising children - you are responsible! - you are responsible even for the salvation of the illegitimate son. 4. PARENTHOOD BETWEEN LOVE AND AUTHORITY: Childhood world - 1. Parental authority is for the children! - 2. Your job is to pave the way not to own them - 3. Mutual benefits - 4. ...

If the life of Jesus, our Lord, has ended with His death on the cross or His burial in the sepulcher, which is not possible, because in Him is the power of the resurrection and life and thus it is impossible for corruption to grab hold of Him. His mission would have failed and the cross would have not been able to reveal God's true and active love for mankind, able to forgive the sins and raise the dead. Hence, the life of Jesus, our Lord, on earth would have become a mere humane story recorded by history, and the cross would have been considered a disgrace, and the disciples would have ...

Homilies on the Feast of Epiphany By St. Jacob of Serugh Step into a realm of divine revelation and timeless wisdom with "Homilies on the Feast of Epiphany" by St. Jacob of Serugh. This profound collection unveils the spiritual richness of the Feast of the Lord's Baptism as seen through the eyes of a revered Church Father. St. Jacob of Serugh's words resonate with the echoes of ancient truth, guiding the reader through the mystical union of Christ with His church at the waters of the Jordan. Journey alongside St. John the Baptist as he adorns the bride of Christ in preparation for the ...