Showing results by author "Bishoy Boshra Behnam" in All Categories

The grandchildren gathered around Grandma Monica on the first day of the family’s summer vacation. Young Mina said: “Grandma, we are so happy that you have decided to spend this vacation with us. We want to hear a bedtime story each evening throughout this week of your vacation!” Grandma Monica answered: “I would be glad to get together with you each evening and tell you the story of the most splendid journey in ancient history; it happened more than forty centuries ago. Can you guess which story I am talking about?” John said: “Oh! Oh! I know, you are probably referring to the ...

The fruit of keeping God's commandment, with all the heart and soul faithfully and abiding by the divine covenant, is that the believers become a special people and that God elevates His people and sanctifies them: "And that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken." (Deut. 26: 19). God elevates their names, so they are attached to His great name. Heaven and earth are astonished for the honor and the splendor they have in the Lord, and He sanctifies them to become...

Suddenly, there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty rushing wind on all the apostles. The wind mixed with the sound, and tongues of living fire from the Father, came down on their heads; and all of a sudden, they felt stronger, in body, soul, and wisdom. Their minds got enlightened more, and many things became clearer to them. They then knew for sure that the Holy Spirit has dwelt in them, and started to be their Instructor and Guide. The weak and simple became strong and wise. The fishermen became teachers and scholars. The rushing wind that came all of a sudden turned into an ...

Who can imagine that someone comes back home rejoicing, after bidding farewell to a son or a dear friend at the airport, because his son or friend has left town? But what amazes us is that the disciples and whoever with them, who went back from the Mount of Olives after the ascension of whom they got attached to, and very much loved and left everything for, they came back to Jerusalem with great joy (Lk.24:52). They have watched the most marvelous and splendid scene that humanity has ever seen since its creation. The new Adam spreads out his hands to bless them, rising in defiance to ...

“DEAR GOD, HOW SWEET IS YOUR WORD?” is an illustrated book with Coptic Icons in the form of a dialog between a child and His heavenly Father about His sweet Words inspired by the Book of Genesis

These are the two wondrous parades; one visual here on earth in which we ought to share in the sorrow like the apostle who said, “weep with those who weep” (Epistle to Romans 12:15), and another which is in heaven proclaiming the joy of the salvation of every man and his peaceful passing from the world to live as a partner with the glories of Christ, the Lord. St. Anthony the Great says: [Death, for those who understand it, is immortality; but for the fools who don’t understand it, it is mere death. We shall not fear this death; rather we should fear the death of the soul, which is ...

Christ our Lord entered with us into the experience of His Glorious Resurrection through His death. His death is called a Christian Pascha or Passover; He passed over with us while we are still in this world into the token of Heaven (1 Cor. 5:7). That is what all believers experience, from the young to the elderly. Under all circumstances, the believer feels that the week of Holy Pascha is the generator, that brings forth the power and joy of the Resurrection, to live all the days of one’s life as if one is in Heaven itself. In that week, a wonderful message is noticed: cleave to 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...

At the beginning of a new year, many believers start revisiting their spiritual lives to confess their sins which is excellent! But unfortunately, some of them forget the positive side of their relationship with Christ when it comes to their thoughts, hearts, words, actions or even their dreams. For example: Are our hearts and minds always thinking of Christ? Are we joyful amid tribulations and hardships? Are we enjoying the kingdom of God within our hearts? Do we have a relationship with the saints and angels? Do we ask God to guide us on the way of truth? What is our role with those who ...

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 ...

In a world often shrouded by darkness and closed doors, discover the profound message of hope and renewal in "The Feast of the Ascension: Opened Gate." This pamphlet invites readers on a spiritual journey to understand the significance of Christ's Ascension. Explore how the Ascension opens the gates of Heaven and transforms our lives. Learn how Jesus, through His sacrifice and love, demolishes the barriers of sin and despair, offering us a path to eternal joy and communion with God. Feel your heart uplifted as you contemplate the open gates of Heaven, the renewal of your soul, and the ...

I thank You, My Lord Jesus, O You who genuinely loves children. You became a child that I may experience You being a wonderous friend! When You entered Jerusalem, the infants and little children rejoiced and were praising You without anyone teaching them. For my sake You were crucified, allow me to kiss Your wounds! How joyful were the angels with the martyrs, especially the little children among them! Satan and his evil angels were envious, since they were banished from heaven, while we became like righteous angels! We await Your coming on the clouds that we may also join the procession of...

On one of the Jewish Feasts, Aaron, the first high priest of the Jews, noticed that many of the Jewish children gathered together were wearing beautiful and elaborate clothes specifically for the holiday. These children met in a large tent very close to the Tabernacle of meeting and got to know each other. They came from Egypt, Greece, Italy, Syria, and so on. They were all foreigners born of Jewish families and they were very proud to title themselves as children of God. Aaron decided attending one of these meetings would be a great opportunity for him to meet and talk with the children to...

In a world of rapid advances in modern technology grafted together with the continual evolution of contemporary philosophies, humanity is plagued by an increasing number of cases of depression, psychological ailments and suicides. These societal maladies affect even our youth. By contrast the Church's Early Fathers, pastors, ascetics and theologians never expressed concerns associated with such hardships. Despite the ardent believer's exposure to today's many adversities he remains unaffected mainly because of his appreciation of man's true eminence. The Church's Fathers often invite us to ...

In this pamphlet, the approach to prayer will be presented in the hopes that you, the reader, gain an enhanced understanding of the life of prayer. The writings of St. Basil are distinguished by his spiritual and practical approach. St. Basil never looked to prayer as a routine, but rather he looked at it as the instrument to use in working towards our goal of salvation. He was interested in presenting practical exercises of prayer that are effective. In discussing how to approach prayer in the text below, he introduces the concept of building up our prayer life through exercises and ...

The strory of Ruth for kids with Coptic Icons illustrations. The book of Ruth: 1. The book was related to the Feast of Harvest (Feast of Pentecost) which was read on that feast. Probably because Ruth appeared to glean the sheaves after the reapers so she can eat and give her mother-in-law. It is the book of harvest: that is the entry of the gentiles to the faith in the person of Ruth, as a new harvest offering the grain of the true life and satisfaction to her mother-in-law. 2. It is the only book after the name of a gentile woman in the whole Bible. Ruth has superseded many women. The ...

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 ...

This book is Illustrative stories with Coptic icons for the children on the Book of Judges. The interaction between two young children not only effectively teaches the story of all of the judges, but allows to imagine themselves in the shoes of Sarah and Jack, and want to talk about the saints with their friends.

We often find it hard to talk about obedience. For many people, especially the young, obedience is associated with a weak personality and submitting to others, as with parents, consultants or leaders at school, in the community, or even in the church. Many people see obedience as controlling others and forcing their opinions and experiences on them, which can cause feelings of being belittled or the desire to rebel. If these feelings are not shown through outward behavior or body language, they are nevertheless present in the mind. - Now why does God ask for our obedience? - Does obedience ...

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 ...