Orthodox Church

Alexandria was famous for its many schools long before Christianity became established in the city. By far the largest school was the "Museum," founded by Ptolemy and destined to become the most renowned school in the East. Other celebrated institutions were the "Serapeum" and the "Sebastion." Each of these three schools possessed its own enormous library. St. Jerome records that St. Mark himself founded the Christian School of Alexandria . The Holy Spirit inspired him to establish the school in order to teach Christianity since this was the only way to provide the new religion a solid ...

Volume 1 - Book 3 of the Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church The Church: The Kingdom of God The book addresses questions about the following topics: 1. The Church: The Kingdom of God 2. The Heavenly High Priest and the Church 3. The Church as a Heavenly Wedding Feast 4. The Unique Work of the Church 5. The Church: House of Salvation 6. The Eminence of the Church 7. The Church and Daily Renewal 8. The Church and Society 9. The Role of Women in Society and Church 10. The Person of the Church 11. The Mystery of the House of God 12. The Iconostasis 13. Coptic Art and Symbolism 14. The Holy ...

Volume 2 - Book 5 of the Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church The Believer and the Heavenly Hosts The book addresses questions about the following topics: 1. The creation of the Spiritual World 2. Our Companionship with the Heavenly Hosts 3. The order of the Heavenly Hosts 4. The devil has no authority over us

Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity, Third Edition traces Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity from their roots in early Christian churches to the way these religions are observed today. Recounted here is the historical passage of the Catholic and Orthodox faiths, from the original teachings of Jesus Christ to the early separation of the Eastern and Western Churches to recent attempts at reconciliation.

In Volume One of Walking on the Waves: An Everyday Guide to Nepsis, His Grace Bishop Emilianos of Meloa introduced nepsis as the spiritual method of prayerfully watching over our thoughts, divesting ourselves of passions, regrets and desires and making room for God. In continuing to equip the everyday person with knowledge to apply nepsis in the context of everyday life, Volume Two offers five distinct, yet intertwined talks, for building a healthy spiritual life in union with God. Opening with Talk 5, “Nepsis: A Rule of Prayer,” we gain insight into the ways nepsis stabilizes our love ...

This volume offers a profound patristic commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews, one of the most spiritually majestic and theologically rich books in the New Testament. Drawing from the Coptic Orthodox tradition and the insights of the early Church Fathers, this commentary unveils Christ as our High Priest, Mediator, and Eternal Sacrifice—the fulfillment of the Law, the Prophets, and the Temple itself. With clarity and warmth, the commentary walks readers through every chapter of the epistle, highlighting: Christ’s priesthood “according to the order of Melchizedek” The superiority ...

To the Coptic Orthodox Church, Dogmas are not merely theological concepts concerning God, man, Church, eternal life, heavenly creatures, demons, etc., to be discussed among clergymen, scholars, and laymen. But dogmas are, in essence, daily experiences each member of the Church has to live. In other words, dogmas representing our faith in God through various aspects have one message, i.e., our communion with God the Father in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God, by His Holy Spirit. Thus, we conceive of our redemption, our membership in the Church, a deep understanding of the Holy Bible, ...

Machen was the foremost defender of orthodox Christianity in the early 20th century, critiquing the drift of theological modernism into unbelief. Machen fought for the historic Christian faith in a time when many Protestants were abandoning the Bible. Machen founded Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, as well as being instrumental in the formation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Every believer can relate to this Catechism series, regardless of his nationality. He is about becoming a man of God and His beloved Son, so that his heart may be filled with love for all humankind, praying for everyone, even to those who persecute the Church. It invites us to enjoy the heavenly experience, righteousness in faith and growth in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our teacher St. Paul talks about “the mystery that was kept secret since the world began” (Cf. Rom 16:25). He refers to God’s work in the New Testament, Who fulfilled the mysterious Heavenly plan so that ...

Volume 2 - Book 6 of the Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church Christian Concepts and Everyday Life The book addresses questions about the following topics: Christian Virtues The Virtue of Discernment and Illumination The Virtue of Obedience The Virtue of Chastity and Purity Vices or Evils Christian Faith and Human Culture The Relationship between Church and State Christian Faith and Military Service Christian Faith and Social and Familial Relationships Social Cohesion Christian Faith and Social Class Christian Faith and Liberty Wealth and the Wealthy in the Christian Faith Science and Faith

The first six centuries of Christianity were colorful ones indeed. The early Church, as an extension of the Apostolic age, represents the living Bible which is practiced daily; it reveals biblical and heavenly thought. She also manifests her dogma, order, economy, and behavior as the bride of Christ and His ambassador in the world. The Church lived bearing the features of her crucified Christ, gladly and joyfully accepting persecution. These first six centuries were also characterized by councils, controversy, and heresy in the sincere quest for an understanding of the true faith. The ...

This second volume in the Patristic Commentary on the Book of Isaiah continues the journey begun in Volume 1, delving deeply into the prophet’s earliest messages—warnings of judgment, calls to repentance, and glimpses of redemption. Drawing from the wisdom of the early Church Fathers and the Coptic Orthodox tradition, this work reveals the richness of Isaiah's voice as both fierce reformer and tender intercessor. Covering chapters 1–35, this volume illuminates: God’s righteous judgment against hypocrisy, injustice, and idolatry The spiritual decay of Judah and the prophetic call to ...

Inspired from Sirach- Chapter 23: HAVE MERCY O, MY FATHER, FROM MY WISDOM! - To You, I complain of myself, O Lord, the Father of my life, and my Master. May Your will be fulfilled in my life, and may my careless judgments be crucified. Who else can correct my careless thoughts and scourge them with a whip? I trust no one other than You to correct me. For You are my heavenly and merciful Father, You are Almighty, and You know all my depths! Your firm yet loving lashes demolish the pride of my haughty eyes, To You alone belongs the power to root out my evil lusts and greed, as well as all ...

The Family and Friends The Book of Ben Sirach may be considered a book of wisdom based on God's precepts and intended for practicing a life that is pleasing to Him. The book carefully examines the relationships between men and women, especially those between the couple, the family members, and connections between friends. Amazingly, it deals with some issues that date back to about 2200 years, yet these writings continue to be helpful and applicable up to the present day. Marriage or family life is the basis upon which society is founded. If it is dissolved, the corporation is dissolved ...

For more than a millennium, the Russian Orthodox Church has shown astonishing survival skills—from the Mongol yoke, to tsarist demagoguery and enlightenment, Soviet atheism, the chaotic 1990s and now two decades of Vladimir Putin. In this provocative new book, Lucy Ash reveals how, under Putin, religion is being stripped of its spiritual content and used as a weapon to control the population in a way never seen before. Orthodox clerics and their acolytes are trying to drag Russia backwards into a new Middle Ages.

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 ...

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...

Origen believes that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior of mankind. Christ who loved humanity, even when they were sinners and enemies, and sacrificed Himself on their behalf, is asking to have a personal relationship with every soul. Therefore, Origen attributes Christ to himself as his own, savior calling Him “my Christ.” The Apostle (St. Paul) declares what is written about Adam and Eve thus: “This is a great mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:32); He has loved her so that He gave Himself up for her, while she was yet disobedient, even as he says: “...

Volume 2 - Book 4 of the Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church Church Worship as a journey to Heaven The book addresses questions about the following topics: 1. Church worship 2. The life of prayer 3. The Agpeya Prayers (the Canonical Hours) 4. The Model Prayer 5. Prayer of the mind and contemplation 6. The Jesus prayer or the Arrow Prayer 7. Metanoias and Prostrations 8. Holy worship and the Full Life 9. Worship and the Fear of the Lord 10. Holy Fasting 11. Worship and "Dying with Christ" 12. Tears in worship 13. Praise and the Heavenly Mindset 14. Church Hymns and the Heavenly Mindset ...

On Saturday 17th of March 2012, the long trip of pain, which the holiness Pope Shenouda the third has lived, had ended and the trip of the glories, the manifest and the hidden from the human eyes, has begun. Those days on which Egypt has been lived with his departure to the paradise were called “Meeting of millions”. That meeting included the majority of Egyptian categories; if not all of them. It included Christians with all the denominations and Muslims, leaders and people. He had been the messenger of peace struggling in a difficult era, and a peaceful man even in his departure from ...