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I Am a Doer of the Word Photo Credit: St. and St. Luke, El-Souryan Monastery Luke, Barnabas and St. St. Photo Credit:

MIGHTY CHAMPIONS MAGAZINE Fall 2017 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 4 Just for TeensTeens Mighty Champions Fall Edition 2017 I Am a Doer of the Word

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By submitting letters SUBSCRIPTIONS http://suscopts.org/ and other materials STATEMENT ON H.G. Youssef mightychampions to Mighty Champions PRESIDENT Almighty God HOSANNA SUNDAY Magazine, you agree MARTYRS that the materials sub- VICE PRESIDENT H.G. Bishop Youssef MISSON STATEMENT We, the magazine staff, mitted are the property have a mission regard- EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Marilyn Ekladios SPECIAL FEATURED H.G. Bishop Youssef of Mighty Champions ARTICL E ing you, the reader: to Magazine and will encourage you on your ASSOCIATE EDITOR Monastic Servant not be returned, and Christian walk and to you agree that Mighty CONTRIBUTING Nagwa Abdou strengthen you through Champions Magazine, George Iskander WRITERS Angela Ayoub ASSISTANT articles, answers, and its assigns and licens- Soliman Archdeacon Habib Girgis ASSOCIATE EDITORS more about God’s very ees, have been granted Mariam Hanna Ibrahim special plan for you. the non-exclusive right CONTRIBUTING Sara Dawoud Andrew Ibrahim to use and/or reproduce EDITORS Theopeste Kerelos Jeremiah Soliman Mary Soliman the materials in any manner and for any SENIOR DESIGN EDITOR Ranya Botros purposes. 2 PRODUCTION MANAGER J.B. My Beloved Youth,

Many of you have been attending Sunday school since pre-school. I am sure you have had many social challenges along the way. Some of these have probably been what many of your peers at school may be doing or what society accepts. You may have excused yourself from attending certain parties and events, refused to try smoking or drinking, avoided any kind of dating, did not go to inappropriate movies, and tried your best to maintain your fasts. The title of your magazine, “Mighty Champions,” truly fits these embattled years. You are young and do not have much experience, especially in how to overcome these challenges and still fit in with your peers. If you are feeling the pressure of all these challenges, know that you are on the right path—you are a doer of the word of God. The seed that was planted into your minds and hearts long ago in those first few years of your life fell on good ground. The years in Sunday school, church camps, and diocese conventions are proving to be important life lessons to overcome these social challenges, especially when society tries so hard to normalize many bad behaviors. You are a doer of the word of God. I know that this is not easy. Every stage in life will have challenges. If you keep the word before your eyes, in your thoughts, and ingrained in your heart, you will indeed be a doer of the word. We can learn and benefit from the wisdom of the early Church Fathers: When you begin to read or listen to the Holy Scriptures, pray to God thus: “Lord Jesus Christ, open the ears and eyes of my heart so that I may hear Thy words and understand them, and may fulfill Thy will.” Always pray to God like this, that He might illumine your mind and open to you the power of His words. Many, having trusted in their own reason, have turned away into deception (St. Ephraim the Syrian).

God bless you, Bishop Youssef, Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States

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LEARNING FROM THE JESUS IS THE DOOR, 6 FATHERS: FROM THE 5 THE WAY, THE TRUTH SAYINGS OF ABBA JOHN AND THE LIFE

COLOBOS (THE SHORT) BY ARCHDEACON HABIB GIRGIS BY ANONYMOUS 7 BEARING THE CROSS THE VOICE OF GOD IN9 AND FORSAKING ALL MY EAR BY NAGWA ABDOU TO FOLLOW CHRIST

SPECIAL FEATURED ARTICLE BY H.G. BISHOP YOUSSEF I AM A DOER OF THE 11 MEANDERING WORD MEDITATIONS: CAIN’S10 BY ANDREW IBRAHIM & MARIAM HANNA IBRAHIM SORROW MARTYRDOM OF

BY ANONYMOUS REVEREND HEGUMEN 14 UPHOLDING THE FATHER SAMAAN SHEHATA CREED 15 STATEMENT FROM H.G. BISHOP YOUSSEF BY ANGELA AYOUB LIVING UPRIGHT IN AN A HERITAGE OF UPSIDE DOWN WORLD16 CHAMPIONS: MEET BY JEREMIAH SOLIMAN THEODORA 18 THE PENITENT (OF HOLY BIBLE & GENERAL ALEXANDRIA) Q & A 19 20DIOCESE PHOTOS ARTICLES MIGHTY CHAMPIONS MAGAZINE MIGHTY CHAMPIONS MAGAZINE ARTICLES

Learning from the Fathers: From the Sayings

of Abba John Colobos (the short)

BY ANONYMOUS

his mother glorified God joyfully, that] he reached a level of asceticism telling everyone how the saint had ne day, as John was going where he did not eat or drink for a opened her son’s eyes and given her to the church, one of the whole week, and when he did finally bread. elders met him and said, eat, he did not eat to satiety! 1 “This is not the time for worship. During his free time (from Beni-Suef Publication Committee. Bustan-El-Ruh- O praying and meditating) he would ban. 2nd Edition. Vol. Arabic. Beni-Suef: Generation Go back to your cell, Shorty!” and Publishing House, 1977. P. 83-86. sent him away. He returned to work on basket-weaving in order to his cell without saying one word. pay for his needs, for the brethren The elder (and those with him) who were with him, and for the poor followed John, to see what he who would come to him. would do. Once he entered his One time, Abba John sold some cell, a scent of incense wafted out, baskets and bought bread with their and they heard someone telling price. Walking back, an old woman him, “Keep yourself, John, and caught up with him and asked for cling to humility to befriend the bread for herself and for her blind Son of God, because God gives son who was starving, so he gave her grace to the upright in heart, and all the bread that he had, and asked they lack nothing good.” John her to bring forth her son. When answered, “Amen. Alleluia. The she did so, he prayed for him saying, glory, honor, power, majesty, and “O Lord, who alone are God, who eternal sovereignty are due to our dwells in heaven, who by His will omnipotent God forevermore.” came down to earth and saved His The elder was amazed by what he people from their sins, who worked and his companions heard, and signs and wonders in His creation, they glorified God. They took who healed the sick and the leprous, John to the church with great and opened the eyes of the blind: honor, and said among themselves, I ask You now for the sake of this “Truly, God has given John more youth who stands before You, to give abundantly than us, because he is him light and sight,” and he made purely chaste.” the sign of the cross on his eyes. He [It was said of Abba John immediately received his sight, and 5 Photo Credit: St. John Colobos - http://www.orthodoxchurchquotes.com/category/sayings-from-saints-elders-and-fathers/st-john-the-dwarf/ Jesus is the Door,

the Way, the Truth and

BY ARCHDEACON HABIB GIRGIS the Life

he Lord said, “Most assuredly I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the serpent in the wilderness even so must door, but climbs up some other way, the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever T believes in Him should not perish but the same is a thief and a robber… I faith in the Son of God, who loved me and 2 am the door. If anyone enters by Me, have eternal life.” You are now in the gave Himself for me.4 he will be saved, and will go in and wilderness of this world, which is filled with many deadly serpents. However, if 1 out, and find pasture… I am the way, John 10:1, 9; 14:6; 15:5. you look to Jesus you will be saved from 2 the truth and the life. No one comes John 3:14-15. every harm, and that serpent of old, 3 to the Father except through Me… I Phil 1:21. meaning Satan, cannot overcome you. 4 am the vine, you are the branches. He Gal 2:19-20. who abides in Me, and I in him, bears Turn your face then to Christ. much fruit; for without Me you can do Concentrate your gaze and look with the nothing.”1 eyes of your mind. Work with all your These are the words of our Lord. heart on contemplating the beauty of He is indeed the very essence of truth, Jesus. You will then be enlightened with for we cannot enter the life of grace the eternal light, and your heart and being except through this door. We cannot will shine with the ray of Divine Light. walk in the way of virtue except if we You will then become more beautiful take this way. You would stray if you than the sun and you will find the door did not put Jesus before your eyes of grace open before you and the path of always. Let Him be the door by which life easier for you. you enter. Let Him be the way that As you meet with the Lord Jesus, you take. Let Him be the truth that proceed in Him, and walk in His light, you seek. Let Him be the life that you and rely upon His righteousness. Let desire to live. your faith in Him be unshaken, and be When the poisonous serpents steadfast in Him. Make Him a portion rose against the children of Israel of your comfort, the inheritance of your in the wilderness, the Lord ordered salvation, the reward of your glorification to make a bronze serpent and in this life, and say with St. Paul, “For to 3 raise it, and everyone who was bitten me, to live is Christ.” by a serpent and looked to the bronze For I through the law died to the serpent would immediately be healed law that I might live to God. I have been from the poison. This was but a symbol crucified with Christ; it is no longer I of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on who live, but Christ lives in me; and the the cross, “and as Moses lifted up the life which I now live in the flesh I live by 6 SPECIAL FEATURED ARTICLE

Bearing the Cross and

Forsaking All to Follow Christ BY H.G. BISHOP YOUSSEF

God’s prized children2; the rugged he cross is a symbol of are sequential: (1) Endurance, and terrain also includes erroneous and pride and joy in the same (2) Triumph. In the verses above, misleading ideologies and heresies. way that a flag symbolizes the Lord presents a blueprint of Bearing one’s cross requires a patriot’s loyalty and citizenship, a discipleship, a status to which T following Christ without logo symbolizes an athletic team’s we are all called. In this forum hindrances, objections, and clutter. motto of toil and perseverance, of discipleship, believers make a Forsaking a life of complacency, and a banner symbolizes a hero’s self-endowment based on faith. lukewarmness, and apathy are the achievement and victory. The However, inability to finish the precursors to bearing one’s cross cross is all of that and more for pursuit is actually the inability and following Christ. St. Cyril of Christians. The cross comes at a to keep the commitment. Those Alexandria commented on why personal cost, but the end result is who mock are diabolic forces the scribe that professed the desire success and jubilation. interfering with your progress and 3 to follow Christ was rejected: Now great multitudes went impacting your eternal salvation if “Foxes have holes and birds of the with Him. And He turned and you are not thoroughly guarded by air have nests, but the Son of Man said to them, “If anyone comes to sound doctrine and determination 4 has nowhere to lay His head.” Me and does not hate his father to keep your faith in Christ and St. Cyril explains that this man’s and mother, wife and children, trust in the grace of God. mind was filled with impurities brothers and sisters, yes, and his Bearing one’s cross requires and evil. Where was Christ to lay own life also, he cannot be My forsaking all. is not His holy head in this man’s heart? . And whoever does not intended to be a life of luxury and It was already cluttered with other bear his cross and come after Me ease. Forsaking father, mother, distractions. The other man was a cannot be My disciple. For which wife, children, brothers, sisters, and disciple, called to the apostleship, of you, intending to build a tower, one’s own life is the antecedent of but requested to first bury his does not sit down first and count bearing one’s cross and following father—not that his father had the cost, whether he has enough Christ. Forsaking all requires a already died, but his request was to finish it—lest, after he has laid rejection of one’s comfort zone. rather to care for his father until the foundation, and is not able to A Christian life is engrossed in his death. Thus, this disciple was finish, all who see it begin to mock rugged terrains, as not only lambs also rebuked. St. Cyril further him, saying, ‘This man began to among wolves, but also lambs 1 expounds on this matter that God build and was not able to finish’?” among every wild beast—lions, did not command us to follow Why did our Lord use this hyenas, snakes, and vultures. These 5 the Ten Commandments, which metaphor? Because bearing one’s are not people with whom you have include honoring one’s father and cross is the first step in making a grievances, but these are demonic mother, and then, to discard this firm commitment to follow Christ. forces and principalities of darkness important mandate that upholds The holy cross has two perceptual instigating discord and fury among a promise. In this case, Christ nuances, while realistically, they the earth’s inhabitants that are 7 SPECIAL FEATURED ARTICLE

Bearing the Cross and Forsaking All to Follow Christ

BY H.G. BISHOP YOUSSEF

reminded this disciple that the martyrs and confessors continue in this superseding commandments first legacy. instruct us to love God above all else, The holy cross is our pride and and then parents. Nonetheless, if the joy, our flag of loyalty and heavenly parental figures refuse to accept the citizenship, our motto of toil and faith in Christ and holy baptism unto perseverance, and our banner of eternal life, these already possess a achievement and victory. Let us dead mind; thus, leave their concerns celebrate the holy cross every day of to other relatives, and pursue the our lives and proclaim its glory to the evangelical call. ends of the earth Therefore, Christ said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury 6 their own dead.” 1 Luke 14:25-30. Bearing one’s cross requires 2 Cf. Ephesians 6:12. endurance until the end. Endurance 3 St. : Commentary on the Gospel of the cross requires spiritual forte according to St. Luke, Homily 58. 4 Matthew 8:20. developed by faith and conviction. 5 Cf. Exodus 20. One must study the Scripture and 6 Matthew 8:22. follow a firm spiritual canon. Pray with zeal. Fast with commitment. Submit with love. Serve with fervor. This is how the three saintly youth endured the fiery furnace (Cf. ). What is the fiery furnace but the fierce and raging worldly appetites? Christians are called to reject these enticements regardless of how high the intensity is raised. This is how the martyrs and confessors were able to suffer persecution and forsake their lives for the sake of their love for Christ and their commitment to their faith in Him. Till this day, the world bears eyewitness that our contemporary 8 The Voice of God inBY NAGWAMy ABDOUEar

Listen for His voice; what is it like?

gushed as I reached the moment I had been waiting for. I found myself worked. Then, the laborers who running to be with You, so You can comfort me and assure me that You Give ear and hear my voice, had begun working earliest started 1 love me and will still accept me. How Listen and hear my speech.” to murmur because they did not great is Your mercy and compassion When can I feel You in my consider it fair to be paid equally for us, O Lord! heart? When can my spirit rejoice? to the people who had worked a “ shorter amount of time. However, Since then my life has changed. In the midst of the quietness of my I am no longer trying to find time, mother’s womb, You called on me to the landowner answered, “I am but instead I gladly want to spend comfort me and to teach me how to doing you no wrong. Did you not 4 my time with You, for I am grateful distinguish Your voice from other agree with me for a denarius?” that You gave me a chance to wake voices. • Why did our Lord Jesus up from my deadly sleep and to Since coming out of my Christ say this parable? open my eyes to see You and get mother’s womb, life has been sets • Is it true that God is unfair? to know You. Then I find that I no of voices that never end. There is • Are we more righteous and longer want to leave You and take no longer a quiet moment to steal fair than God? care of my own affairs. All I want in from the world around me. Taking The first point, before we life is to love You, know You more, advantage of my time and sitting start to analyze the parable, is to and worship You with all my heart. with You and trying to listen to Your understand that God’s wisdom No longer am I concerned voice in me has never happened yet. surpasses ours. His knowledge is about my life, because You guide me Every day I promise myself that beyond our comprehension, and to what is best for me, even when I I will open my ears and listen to all He is just and merciful. am sometimes very ignorant about that You want to say to me and that The second point is that many things. I trust that You can I will sit with You, share my life with God wants everyone to enter the lead me to what is more profitable You, and have You as a part of my kingdom of heaven. He can detect for me. daily life. Yet, every day I look at my our hearts and knows when is the Continue earnestly in prayer, schedule and say, “Tomorrow.” right moment to invite each one to being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; To everything there is a season, be part of His inheritance. meanwhile praying also for us, that a time for every purpose under The third point that the God would open to us a door for the heaven: a time to be born, and a parable mentions is that they all were standing all day waiting to be word, to speak the mystery of Christ, time to die; a time to plant, and a 5 for which I am also in chains. time to pluck what is planted; a time hired, and accepted to come and Therefore, my friends, never to kill, and a time to heal; a time to start working. God invites people neglect to pray for this moment. break down, and a time to build up; to enter His kingdom in some cases 2 Never forget to listen carefully for a time to weep, and a time to laugh. when they are children, when they 3 God’s voice to you; it can be your The parable of the laborers are youth, when they are in their last chance. Also pray for the others teaches us about God’s timing for midlife, or even at the last hour, who are in need of the Father’s voice each and every one of us. There was like the thief on the cross. Thus, we, in their lives. a landowner who went out to hire as His loving and faithful children, should be happy and rejoicing, not 1 laborers at different times of the 28:23. day, starting early in the morning envious of one another. 2 Ecclesiastes 3:1-4. 3 up until the eleventh hour. When it It was a day like any other day, Matthew 20:1-16. 4 was time to distribute the wages, the yet You gave me another chance. Matthew 20:13. I heard a sermon that moved 5 Colossians 4:2-3. landowner gave everyone equally, 9 regardless of the amount of time something inside me, and my tears Meandering Meditations: Cain’s Sorrow

BY ANONYMOUS

is a refusal to repent, to confess the 1 as Cain’s sorrow wrong done on my part. because he offered, Consider the sorrow of : hoping for and seeking “What did I do wrong? You have acceptance,W while Abel offered for wronged me? I deserve better. Your sake, a prophetic offering of Why did You pull back from Your forthcoming sacrifice? And me? Why did You leave me.” He thus, Cain’s offering, from the left you because this is what He ground, resulted in its punishment: wills, because this is what He sees “When you till the ground, it shall right for you at this time. Instead no longer yield its strength to of thanking Him for His care, in 2 you.” Apparently, the ground had whatever shape it comes, are you yielded its strength to him, and bombarding Him with sorrowful that is why he brought an offering whining? Instead of thanking Him from the ground, thinking that this for everything, and accepting His is his work, his pride. His heart was will, are you trying to haggle with not upright, akin to his mother Him, not making the duration any before him. shorter, but ONLY ADDING TO “Cain went out from the YOUR OWN MISERY? presence of the Lord.”3 To go out from the presence of the Lord— now that is true sorrow! Cain truly 1 Genesis 4. 2 was in a bad state of sorrow, but he Genesis 4:12. 3 still refused to repent and ask the Genesis 4:16. Lord for help and healing. Cain’s sorrow led to anger, which led to hatred, leading to murder, further leading to a path of no return, no repentance, and finally leading to going out from the presence of the Lord. Is sorrow such a grave sin! It

10 I am a Doer of the Word Hear, keep, live!

BY ANDREW IBRAHIM AND MARIAM HANNA IBRAHIM

hear is what determines the path we are near. herefore whoever hears In short, it is not enough to these sayings of Mine, be a hearer only, otherwise we are Word (Christ), because the Word and does them, I will like the seed that never takes root leads us to the right works. liken him to a wise man who in the heart, or is choked by thorns, 2) Keep His word T We need to think about Christ built his house on the rock: and and never bears fruit. Christ called the rain descended, the floods us not only to hear His words, but constantly. It is written, “You will came, and the winds blew and keep him in perfect peace whose to do them. This is the essence of 3 beat on that house; and it did Christianity: a way of living. We live mind is stayed on you.” We must not fall, for it was founded on His word day by day in three ways: be keen to keep Christ’s words in the rock. But everyone who hears 1) Hear His word our heart all throughout the day. these sayings of Mine, and does We need to know the Word, When you start your day with Him, not do them, will be like a foolish in order to live it. We need to know ask Him, “What is the message man who built his house on the Christ intimately, to live like Him. You want to send me today?” and sand: and the rain descended, the How can I imitate someone I do not keep the Spirit of that message on floods came, and the winds blew know? Christ Himself is God the “repeat” in your head throughout and beat on that house; and it fell. everything you do that day. Do so as 1 Logos (The Word of the Father), And great was its fall. and when we read His words, His you go to work or school, throughout When Christ speaks of words become incarnate (take flesh) your day, when you come home, hearers and doers in the gospel— in us, and thus we become Christ to and at night—keep your mind on whether we like it or not—He the world. But without ever sitting Him. When Christ is always on our is playing favorites. While He with His words, or even hearing His mind, our thoughts are in control. appreciates hearing, Christ makes words, how can we ever imitate Him? Sirach 21:11 says, “He who keeps it clear that it is only half the We would have no instructions or the law controls his thoughts.” If our battle. What we do with what guidelines. We would be attempting thoughts happen to sin (e.g., “I don’t we hear matters just as much to bake a cake with no recipe. We like that person” “why were they and more. But is it not good to need to hear His voice to know who doing that?” “I’m better than him/ hear? Why of course! But as He is, and therefore, how to imitate her”), Christ is right there in our Sirach 21:15 tells us, “If a man of Him. Christ says, “My sheep know minds to keep our thoughts in check. understanding hears a wise word, Me and they hear My voice and We must surrender to that Word in he will praise it and add to it; but follow Me.”2 Whose voice are we our head in order for us to be led. if a self-indulgent man hears it, it following? Whose voices are we He will lead us to say instead, “God, displeases him, and he turns his imitating? We have tons of options, give me the mind to think like You back on it.” Both men hear and and only one right answer. When we do. Give me the heart to love like act, but what we do with what we hear the Word, we can follow the You do. Give me eyes to see like You 11 I am a Doer of the Word

BY ANDREW IBRAHIM AND MARIAM HANNA IBRAHIM

read would need, because your picture says it all: the smile, the warmth, the is right, our words and deeds are laughter, and the life we live, is the right. Therefore, when the Word Christ we share with others. is deeply sown in our hearts, the 1 Matthew 7:24-27. do.” It prevents the evil desire from Word will be manifested in our 2 John 10:27. developing into sin manifesting in lives, and throughout all the senses 3 Isaiah 26:3. our deeds and words. Moreover, by which we communicate to the 4 Cf. Philippians 4:13. when we keep the Word, the Word world—our smiles, our demeanor, 5 Matthew 28:20. stays on our minds and bears good our words, our actions, where we 6 John 16:33. fruit. Instead of having thoughts of go, where we choose to spend our 7 Luke 6:45. 8 doubting ourselves, we remember time—the Word consumes all that 2 Corinthians 2:15. His words “You can do anything we are. It is like the world’s biggest through Me.”4 Instead of thoughts vacuum, enveloping all our time of loneliness, we remember “I and focus, and also cleaning up the am with you always.”5 Instead of mess that is our sin. Therefore, it thoughts of despair, we remember becomes important to remember: “Fear not, for I have overcome when and where are we doers of the world.”6 We need to examine the Word? Is it just at church or our thoughts. Are we thinking of on Sundays? Are we most careful Christ throughout our days? Are only when we are around other we constantly thinking of His congregants? Brothers and sisters, Word? Because when our minds we should be doers of the Word remain on His Word, then He will no matter where we are or who we help us overcome the burdens of are with, because Christ is in all this world. places. Whether it be coworkers, 3) Live the Word other students, family members— When we know the Word, keep people near and far to Christ—we the Word, then the Word begins to must always be doers of the Word take flesh in us and is manifested in every place. The Bible says, “For in our being. We become walking you are the fragrance of Christ.” 8 Christs in the world (hence, Remember that by being a doer Christians). The Word takes root of the Word, you may be the only and transforms our hearts, and Bible someone ever reads—not in thereby our words become seasoned the words you speak, but in the with salt, full of grace, because “out words of Christ that you choose of the abundance of the heart the to share. You are the best type of mouth speaks.”7 When our heart book someone who can barely 12 Statement from H.G. Bishop Youssef

Martyrdom of Reverend Hegumen Father Samaan Shehata

The merciful God has rejected murderers because they have robbed A statement from His Grace life—a life that God created. God is regarding the Martyrdom of the one that gives life and only He spread by the martyrs. “But the cowardly, Reverend Hegumen Samaan can take it away in His own time. unbelieving, abominable, murderers, Shehata, Priest at Saint Julius Murderers cheat God and sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, Akfahs Coptic Orthodox Church in provoke Him to strike back at and all liars shall have their part in the Al-Fashn, . them—the assassins and violent men lake which burns with fire and brimstone, The killer of an innocent man 3 that hasten to destroy life. There is no which is the second death.” hastened to slaughter a servant place for murderers in heaven. The We implore the Lord Jesus Christ of God. On October 12th, 2017, definition of martyrdom is one who to repose the soul of His faithful hatred delivered another innocent dies for his belief, not the one who servant, Reverend Hegumen Father martyr into God’s hands. God will kills for it. Killers cannot understand Samaan Shehata, comfort his family and require the blood of this saint from the law of love. Father Samaan was congregation, awaken the conscience of the hands of his murderer and an innocent man. A priest has given all Egyptian citizens to put an end to those who instilled the ideology of up a life of comfort to serve his these butcheries and barbarisms, bring hatred and violence into the killer’s community and be an example of this martyr’s murderers to justice and mind and heart. Accomplices to grace and charity to all. God is fed up repentance, and empower Christianity this murder are also those that with this violent human race. With to spread and flourish more and more remained idle and refused to help one breath He can devastate islands and more. save his life. Not only from all these and continents, mountains and seas. hands—the killer, his mentors, and 1 Therefore, fear God; and fear Him, Matthew 26:52. the apathetic witnesses, but the 2 now. Vengeance belongs to God Deuteronomy 32.35; Roman 12:19. entire lives of these murderers will 2 3 alone. Revelation 21:8. forever be marred with calamities Father Samaan was ready; but multiplied by the grief brought from whose hands his precious life upon the family and community of was taken, it is this man and those Reverend Father Samaan Shehata. who condone this vile act that are To where can murderers just as guilty and provoke God to run to hide their shame, guilt, wrath. Those who kill Christians and disgrace? Can a murderer do do so because they fear them. They God’s will? Why do they hide still do not comprehend the power and lurk in secret assemblies, of love. Christ loves all humanity waiting and conniving on how to and chose to suffer and die to save attack the innocent? God honors the world. His humble disciples and the compassionate and merciful apostles—none that bore weapons because God is compassionate and and none that made threats, spread merciful. When the Apostle Peter Christianity. Almost all were thought to defend Christ, the Lord martyred; yet, Christianity spread admonished him, “Put your sword and flourished throughout the world. in its place, for all who take the 1 Christianity was and continues to be sword will perish by the sword.” 13 Upholding The Creed Even without analyzing? BY ANGELA AYOUB

advise being careful to not lose heart in warm-fuzzy feeling that is not the entire the work lest it becomes robotic. What basis of Christianity despite common ost of us know the story of does it profit one to work without love, misconception. The contemporary trend the monk and the water then every action seems shrouded in is to avoid whatever does not give us basket. A monk, after reading uncertainty and a restlessness not of these warm fuzzies. Mthe Holy Bible from cover to cover, felt God, “And though I bestow all my Sadly, some people see God as a he could not retain the word. He went goods to feed the poor, and though I dictator because they are only privy to to his spiritual father for guidance. The give my body to be burned, but have the exterior works: the long liturgies, father replied by telling him to take a not love, it profits me nothing.”4 the fasting, Sunday school. They would basket and dip it in the Nile and bring Anyone who has lived with another knowingly or unknowingly lead us to it back to him. The monk obeyed, but by human being can attest to this, we may believe such practices were a waste of the time he had returned, all the water not always feel the love, but it is there. time, but not so. These crucial workings had leaked from the basket. The father We may not even be on speaking terms, pierce us in our heart of hearts where then asked him, “What do you find but, a washed plate here, folded laundry God holds His most blessed conferences different about the basket?” The monk there—speak louder than words. with us. It is there that the fruits of our answered, “It is cleaner than before.” I once heard a story of a little boy labor are harvested. Like most long Similarly, by the mere act of exposing who loved his father very much and term goals, beginning can be difficult. yourself to the word of God, you are 1 would say goodnight to his father every But like returning to the gym every changed. Regardless of results that night with great enthusiasm. One night morning, you begin to see a definition may occur in a year, a month, or a day— the boy came in yawning, with sleep and strength in your faith from repetitive we abide by the word of God because tugging at his eyelids. Although lacking use. Faith with works goes hand in hand this is what our heavenly Father asked in his usual zeal, the father noted and as they give meaning to each other. of us. We do it not merely because we appreciated his son’s commitment to Without work, faith is pretty words fear the fiery depths of hell, but because bid him goodnight, which he now spoken with an air of naivety. Work we love Him. performed by muscle memory. God without faith is like a distinct feeling Those of us born in the church sees what daily struggles try to keep of misplacement, constantly longing can make a list of traditions we abide us from Him. We never have to worry for something meaningful. Work gives by: fasting before communion, learning about explaining ourselves to Him, faith substantiality, and faith gives work Coptic, partaking in the sacraments, because He already knows what we may significance. So, although returning to etc. We followed them unseeingly until not even possess the words to explain. the river everyday might seem tedious, it dawned on us to ask, “Why?” To many He merely wants us to look to Him to and the water leaks through the cracks, it may seem like the church is cloaked ground us in the midst of our fear. And our baskets are being purified and with regulation, but perhaps that is with His words in our hearts and His refined, and in them we carry the sweet what made it last over two-thousand work in our hands, that fear fades to a word of God within us, just waiting to years. I digress, we must continue in faint whisper. get out. faith, especially when it is the least Like with many hobbies picked appealing route to take. It is in repelling up and discarded, it remains difficult 1 faithful routine that the Devil tries to to stay motivated—especially if we Cf. Budge, E A Wallis, trans. The Paradise of the Holy Fathers. Revised Edition. Vol. II. Putty: St. ensnare us, because when we “pray are lulled into a false sense of comfort. without ceasing,”2 we are deaf to his Shenouda Monastery, 2008, 187 {41}. This is when the devil catches us off 2 1 Thessalonians 5:17. advances. Let us use faith as an anchor guard. He cuts through the chinks in 3 1 John 3:18. for us, and let the routine of work hone 4 our armor where we have not girded 1 Corinthians 13:3. us into God’s disciples. ourselves with God’s armor of work “My little children, let us not and truth. For example, the top three love in word or in tongue, but in deed 3 reasons people do not perform the and in truth.” Basically, let us uphold word: they tried it and it did not beget the Creed we recite every Sunday. I the outcome they desired, they do not 14 believe in it, or they do not get that Living Upright in an Upside Down World

Ambassadors for Christ? BY JEREMIAH SOLIMAN

Now then, we are ultimately make us happy and The promise we have to ambassadors for Christ, as successful, and even though we consistently keep in mind is that though God were pleading know differently, it has defined we are not alone. First off, our “through us: we implore you on the reasoning behind a lot of the God is going to be there every Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to criticism received on a day-to- step of the way, and He is also God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20) day basis. going to place the people in Many of us have lived our We are seen as the goody our lives, who we are supposed whole lives believing in God, two-shoes who will judge you to make an impact on, and and have been sheltered under for every wrong act committed. who are going to help us make our Jesus bubble that has not This perception is what is going that impact. Find good and yet revealed the truth behind to motivate many of our friends godly friends that are going what society has to say about to leave us, and find those who to do nothing but encourage Christianity. On the other hand, agree with their wrong decisions. you in your walk. Incorporate those who decided to follow Jesus It sets many people off from an accountability partner and in their later years have seen the getting to truly know us, because keep in check with each other. reality behind their decision in a they believe “we are too good The Lord says, “For where two separate understanding, because for them” and that all we want or three are gathered together many have been ridiculed for to do is shove Bible verses down in My name, I am there in the their choice. Whether you have their throat. I have personally midst of them.”1 With him by known God your whole life, lost many friendships because our side, the hearts of others will or only recently met him, the I did not participate in harmful be softened and He will allow us society that we live in today actions, and they became bored to find meaningful relationships. does not accept Christians with with what I was allowing myself High school and college open arms and an ear wanting to partake in. It is extremely are going to hold some of the to hear all we have to offer. We discouraging at times, and does most difficult times we will are oftentimes ostracized, and it not add to popularity in any ever experience. We are trying makes it incredibly difficult to sense. It is a sacrifice teenage to discover ourselves, figure out build relationships with those Christians make every day, and our future, and keep everything who do not share our same views. sometimes we are stuck sitting under control at the same time. We are entering into adulthood and wondering, “Okay, God, The disappointing reality is being told that sex, drugs, and how can I reach people for you if that performing all of these money are what is going to I can’t even reach them for me?” tasks perfectly is never going

15 Living Upright in an Upside Down World

BY JEREMIAH SOLIMAN

to happen, and many times we satisfaction. But that is the key: do is put your trust in Him, and He are going to be unsatisfied with it is only temporary. The Bible will bless you beyond comparison. the results. The thing we have to says to “Do not love the world I know these times are hard, and keep in mind is that His plan is or the things in the world. If it may seem impossible, but with so much more than we can even anyone loves the world, the love the help of our Savior all things are fathom at this point. We have no of the Father is not in him. For possible. earthly idea where our journeys all that is in the world—the lust 1 Matthew 18:20. are going to take us, but we have of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, 2 1 John 2: 15-17. seen the opportunities He has and the pride of life—is not of already provided us with, and the Father but is of the world. we need to have faith that they And the world is passing away, will only become larger. Keep and the lust of it; but he who your head up whenever things does the will of God abides begin to unravel or become forever.”2 We must have faith difficult, and put your trust in that this world is not our home, His ultimate want for your job and that we are going to live in in His kingdom. Whatever He eternal joy whenever He decides has in mind for you will surpass to take us home. It is okay to anything you have planned for be involved in the things of the yourself. world, but we must not let it Earthly objects, consume our heart and mind. relationships, and temporariness He is to remain prevalent, and seem to provide us with then, and only then, will we hold more happiness than God lasting happiness. can sometimes. We have all Our job is not easy. When experienced it. Sometimes it everything and everyone in seems so much easier to binge- society is opposing our faith, it is watch a show on Netflix than to hard to find the strength to stay crack open our Bible and absorb confident. We have to remember what He has to say. We begin to that we have something they do idolize our friends, boyfriends, not—God. He can heal any hurt cell phones, and other worldly and provide joy that is going to things because it provides us outlast anything society says it with temporary happiness and will bring to you. All you have to

16 MIGHTY CHAMPIONS MAGAZINE

A Heritage of Champions: Meet Saint Feast Day: September 13, 2017 – Thoout 3, 1734 Theodora the Penitent (of Alexandria)the expiation of her former sin. to the Ennaton monastery (Al-Zugag). She settled with the child not far from She went to a men’s monastery, since she the monastery in a hut. The shepherds, out of feared that her husband would discover ynaxarium pity, gave her milk for the infant, while the her in a community of women. She asked The third day of the blessed saint ate only wild vegetables. Bearing her the abbot of the monastery to accept her. Smonth of Thoout, may God make it misfortune, St. Theodora spent seven years In order to test her, the abbot did not always received, year after year, with in banishment. Finally, the abbot allowed her permit her to enter. St. Theodora spend the reassurance and tranquility, while our sins to return to the monastery with the child, at night at the gate in the severe cold. In the are forgiven by the tender mercies of our the entreaty of the monks that she had shown morning the abbot found her eyes puffy God, Amen. steadfastness and repentance. The abbot held from much crying, so he allowed her to join Departure of St. Theodora the her under severe punishment, and asked her the monastery, and she was known as the Penitent (of Alexandria) to remain in seclusion in her cell with her son, monk Theodore. On this day, of the year 226 of and not to meet anyone outside of the church. The saint lived in this monastery; her the martyrs (AD 510), St. Theodora of Before her death, she instructed the son work was to take care of the monastery’s Alexandria departed. She was born in attributed to her saying: My son, the sun of gardens and farming the field, enduring the fifth century of the birth of our Lord, my life is about to set, but I leave you in the all hardship with joy and happiness, in during the reign of Emperor Zeno, from hands of a merciful Father who is the God unceasing prayers. She was known for her noble parents in Alexandria. Alongside of all orphans. I hope that the abbot of the obedience, humility, and intense asceticism. her youthful beauty, she lived a virtuous monastery does not forsake you, and the God granted her the gift of performing life and was rich. She married a pure and monks would have compassion on you. My miracles and her fame spread. Many came rich young man. Their lives were filled son, search not for your kinship and family, to the monastery asking for her blessing with peace and joy. for the best relationship is what we gain from and prayers. Amid this upright life style, a certain virtues. Do not seek the glory of the world, Her husband continually grieved for rich young man was captivated by her for the Lord Christ has said, “Blessed are you her, not knowing her whereabouts. He beauty, wisdom, and level-headedness. He when they revile and persecute you, and say all yearned to know, and be assured of her was pure and righteous and he became kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” salvation. He offered tearful prayers. During fond of her. The devil, the enemy of good, Pray for the sinners, be a help for the weak, his sorrow, the angel of the Lord appeared gradually began planting in him evil serve your kin as if he is your master, so you to him and asked him to go to the church and lustful thoughts towards Theodora. will be accepted before the Lord Christ, for of St. Peter, the Seal of Martyrs, where he These temptations increased, until the He took the form of a servant for our sake. would find her alone beside the church. young man found a chance and revealed Through God’s providence, the abbot of When he went he did not find her, but his feelings to her. Theodora, shocked, the monastery was outside her cell listening only found a monk driving some camels. knowing his purity and chastity, rebuked to this advice. He became convinced that this This was Theodora whom her husband him. A few days passed, and their lustful monk was falsely accused. Knocking on the did not recognize, for her appearance had feelings intensified, until they fell in the door to come in and be blessed by that monk changed because of her austere asceticism. sin of fornication. No one realized what before his departure, on entering the cell he She recognized him and saluted him; he happened, since everyone knew their found that his spirit had already departed. returned her salutation without recognizing purity. The monks came to the body of the her. Theodora soon came to her senses monk Theodore to express their regrets. When When the enemy of good saw that and realized the seriousness of her fall. She they started to prepare the body for burial, she had escaped his snares, he moved an became furious with herself as she could they realized that he was a woman. They were evil adulterous woman to go to the abbot of not bear her guilt. With tears flowing exceedingly sorrowful and marveled. The the monastery complaining that the monk from her eyes, she told her husband what news spread at once in all Alexandria, and Theodore had defiled her chastity. With had happened. Her husband did not many came asking for her blessings. complete submission, the saint endured know what to do for he trusted his wife Her husband realized that she had the mockery she was subjected to, without and his friend. Their life turned to a life been his wife. He entreated the abbot of defending herself, so that no one might of sorrow and unceasing tears. Finally, the monastery to accept him as a monk, to discover her secret. When the infant was she decided to leave the world, so she can complete the rest of his days in her cell. As for born, they brought him to the monastery. spend the rest of her days in repentance. the child, he grew in grace and was loved by The abbot entrusted the infant into the She shaved her hair and dressed everyone. Later, he was chosen to be the abbot care of the saint, throwing her out of the herself in men’s clothes and went at night of the monastery. monastery in disgrace. She faced many Photo Credit: St. The blessing of her prayers be with us difficulties, hardships, and pains for the 17 Icon - https://www.orthodoxmonasteryicons. all. Amen. com/products/theodora-of-alexandria-icon sake of this innocent child, seeing in him

Holy Bible & General Q & A

Holy Bible Q & A Question: Upon what are we being built, according to Ephesians 2:20? Answer: The foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the chief cornerstone.

General Q & A

Question: What does it mean that a godly man is called a chosen vessel? Answer: A godly man is a righteous man. He is a chosen vessel because he embodies the message of Christ in his righteousness.

18 Diocese Photos

St. Mary & St. Moses Coptic Orthodox Abbey - Sandia, TX

Presbyter Ordination of Fr. Nathanael Guirguis by the hands of H.G. Bishop Youssef, St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church - Atlanta, GA

Presbyter Ordination of Fr. Maurice Ibrahim by the hands of H.G. Bishop Youssef, 19 St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church - Orlando, FL Diocese Photos

St. Mary & St. Coptic Orthodox Convent - Dawsonville, GA

Consecration of Mother Eriny by the hands of H.G. Presbyter Ordination of Fr. Pijimi Abba Moses by the Bishop Youssef, St. Mary & St. Demiana Coptic hands of H.G. Bishop Youssef, St. Mary & St. Moses Orthodox Convent - Dawsonville, GA Coptic Orthodox Abbey - Sandia, TX

20 Diocese Photos

St. Mary & St. Moses Coptic Orthodox Abbey - Sandia, TX

His Eminence Dr. Mar Gregorios, Metropolitan of the Diocese of Trivandrum Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in India, Tours SUS Diocesan Churches, Campuses, and Centers 21 Diocese Photos

St. Mary & St. Demiana Coptic Orthodox Convent - Dawsonville, GA

Annual Thanksgiving Family Convention 2017 hosted by H.G. Bishop Youssef with Guest Speakers H.G. Bishop Suriel of the Diocese of Melbourne, Australia & H.G. Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles, 22 St. Stephen Christian Retreat & Conference Center - Titusville, FL Diocese Photos

St. Mary & St. Moses Coptic Orthodox Abbey - Sandia, TX

SUS Diocese Pilgrimage Trip to Georgia 2017

23 SUS Diocese Pilgrimage Trip to Armenia 2017 Photo Credit: Icon, El-Souryan Monastery - http://www.st-mary-alsourian.com