Just for TeensTeens New Creation
MIGHTY CHAMPIONS MAGAZINE Winter 2017 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 Just for TeensTeens Mighty Champions Winter Edition 2017 New Creation
YOU CAN EMAIL US AT: [email protected] A PUBLICATION OF THE COPTIC
ORTHODOX DIOCESE OF THE MATERIAL SOUTHERN UNITED STATES SUBMISSION
By submitting letters SUBSCRIPTIONS http://suscopts.org/ and other materials mightychampions to Mighty Champions STATEMENT ON H.G. Bishop Youssef PRESIDENT Almighty God Magazine, you agree BOTROSIYA 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 of Mighty Champions ing you, the reader: to Magazine and will CONTRIBUTING Angela Ayoub ASSOCIATE EDITOR Freda Tyab encourage you on your not be returned, and WRITERS Miriam Aioub Christian walk and to you agree that Mighty Suzy Bishara strengthen you through Champions Magazine, CONTRIBUTING Tereze Matta Marilyn Ekladios articles, answers, and its assigns and licens- EDITORS Mary Soliman Karim Hanna more about God’s very ees, have been granted George Makary LAYOUT & DESIGN J.B. special plan for you. the non-exclusive right Jeremiah Soliman SENIOR ADVISOR to use and/or reproduce the materials in any TECH SUPPORT J.B. LAYOUT & DESIGN Ranya Botros manner and for any purposes. SENIOR EDITOR 2 My Beloved Youth,
I am delighted to present this first edition of the Mighty Champions Magazine during the glorious Advent season of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the reason for the season.
This season is not about the presents we receive, but what we can give of ourselves to make the world a little better. There are many articles in this edition of the Mighty Champions Magazine that will touch your hearts and demonstrate new ways of experiencing the world around us through our Lord Jesus Christ—thus, allowing us to bring real joy to others. This season is about love and selflessness.
I pray that this new literary source, specific for you, our teenagers—the future of the Church, will inspire commitment to your faith, service, and prayers. I am certain that you will also wish to share your thoughts, ideas, aspirations, and various activities in which you are involved, and inspire other youth throughout the world. The Mighty Champions Magazine is yours.
God bless you,
Bishop Youssef, Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
Official Instagram Account Official Bishop Youssef App https://www.instagram.com/bishopyoussef/ bishopyoussefministry.com
Official SoundCloud Account Official Facebook Page https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/tracks https://www.facebook.com/bishopyoussef.suscopts/
Official Twitter Account Official YouTube Channel https://twitter.com/bishop_youssef https://www.youtube.com/user/BishopYoussef
3 Photo Credit: Angel of The Lord Jesus Christ - http://www.saintmaryhouston.org/ MIGHTY CHAMPIONS MAGAZINE CONTENTS CONTENTS
New Dawn, LIFE-CHANGING New Day 7 BY MIRIAM AIOUB 8 BY ANGELA AYOUB
9
He Came Statement BY MARILYN EKLADIOS on Botrosiya 10 Martyrs BY H.G. BISHOP YOUSSEF
4 CONTENTS MIGHTY CHAMPIONS MAGAZINE
I Once was Blind but Now I See 11
BY Jeremiah Soliman
New Creation
13
BY SUZY BISHARA
5 2017
BY Karim Hanna 17
Tasting the GEORGE MAKARY Sweetness BY of God: Repentance 14
Nativity Reflection Bible Q & A 19
Diocese 18 Photos 20
6 MIGHTY CHAMPIONS MAGAZINE ARTICLES
New Dawn, New Day “Does not the shepherd leave his herd of 99 sheep to find the one BY ANGELA AYOUB that is lost?”
woke up this morning sluggish, perseverance until his martyrdom, may as deranged like loving your enemy apprehensively thinking about his intercessions be with us all. or doing good to those who persecute the million things that had to be When you are baptized, yes even you. In choosing God’s path for us we done and wondering if I would you who were too young to think, move closer to that paradise where have time for lunch. Many days similar “Hey! Who is the Guy with the we are heard, understood, and loved to this run through my memory like beard?” your heart was opened to through all our faults. Beginning is the Ia movie reel on repeat. Many days I Christ and the Holy Spirit traded hardest part of any process. Why is it feel older than my 17 years and worry places with the directionless chasm in so hard to reach for the bible before if I have already forgotten that zeal you. Fear and anxiety took a backseat our phones when we first rise? Why for a life worth living. A life where to an omniscient and omnipotent can we spend 3 hours studying but I have been insurmountably blessed power. You can turn your back on hesitate to stand for prayer before we by my Heavenly Father. In moments these psychological bandits because turn in for the night? The devil strikes like these it helps me to take a deep He told us, “My grace is sufficient for at our weakest moments to tempt us breath, steal a moment of silence and you, for My strength is made perfect from the path that would give us the remember who I am and why I am in weakness.”1 I know it is hard, my most peace and blessing. Cast off these here. I am a child of God, born of heart goes out you who feel trapped by falsehoods my friends by remembering the Savior of the whole world. I am doubt. As if you are running through who your Heavenly Father is, He who here because He placed me here on a maze of your insecurities and there made the lame walk and the dumb purpose to be a light that shines for is nothing to do but say, “ I’m fine, talk. Him. I was born for Him. just tired.” It is especially important The world seems to move at a You are not alone in your fear, your in these times to turn directly to breakneck speed, with you lost in anxiety, your loneliness. God hears God. Pour out your very soul to Him the hustle and bustle. However, does you, He is present with you at this because God does not have to wake not the shepherd leave his herd of 99 very moment in time, stretching out up early for work the next morning or sheep to find the one that is lost? His nail pierced hands to you. Look to study for finals, He is merely a prayer St. Moses the Strong, whose life was away. fraught with violence and darkness. Just like when you are a baby, or He sought more than what this world a graduate, or just waking up-- there 1 had to offer, to be reborn as a new is the potential for greatness. Being 1 Cor. 12:9. creation. The same man who gambled, born again opens the spirit to new lied, and cheated would bring fresh opportunities for God to work in your water to the monks from a well miles life. So that with childlike adoration away. St. Moses refused to judge his we may follow Him, bright-eyed and fellow brother, instead teaching us all bushy tailed. We are made whole a lesson in humility and mercy with a through loving God. Starting life simple bag of sand. He chose to fight anew through Him creates avenues the spiritual battle with goodness and of thought that the world might see 7 Photo Credit: St. Moses the Strong - http://st-takla.org/ Life-Changing BY MIRIAM AIOUB
ave you ever heard the sun, the moon and the stars. She Christ Himself. Christ told her, term ‘life-changing?’ concluded that there must be an “Don’t fear, my child, for I will be ‘That was a life-changing able and wise maker who created always with you,” and He healed her Hexperience.’ ‘That lecture was life- them and that this must be the wounds. Juliana decided to accept changing. It made me view the Almighty God. Luckily, one of Christ as well and chose the crown world like never before.’ What does Barbara’s teachers was Christian of martyrdom. In the morning, the it take for something to be ‘life- and taught her about Christ. As Governor’s people were amazed at changing’ – to change your life? Barbara learned more about Christ, the absence of her wounds. In anger, Can a person be life-changing? Can she began to get to know Him. Barbara was again tortured and this the influence of knowing a person Knowing Him proved to be a life- time, Juliana with her. Once again, change your life? What if you went changing experience for Barbara. Barbara’s wounds were healed. through your entire life without the She never knew a love like this love; Growing afraid because of the wealth of knowledge the Internet she never knew a truth like the miraculous healings, the Governor provides and only knowing one truth of salvation. ordered Barbara and Juliana to way of life? Let us say you did this Barbara decided to become a be simultaneously beheaded, and and then began to know someone Christian and was baptized. When they both received the crowns of outside your ordinary life and the her father, Dioscorus returned from martyrdom. experience of knowing this person a trip, he went to greet his daughter Is it possible that getting to was l-i-f-e-c-h-a-n-g-i-n-g. Would and visit the bathhouse that he had know another person can change you give up everything for this built for her. He noticed Christian your life? Getting to know THE person? Let’s say this person was influence in the building. When Person was life-changing for St. the Person. Let’s say this Person was he asked his daughter, Barbara Barbara and she was willing to Jesus Christ. Could the experience confessed that she was now a be tortured and die for Him. Can of knowing Jesus Christ change Christian. In anger, Barbara’s father experiencing Him change your life your entire life and make you into reached for his sword and when too? I think so.2; 3 a new creation and redeem you to Barbara saw it, she dashed out the point that you would be willing of the room and down the tower. 1“Lives of Saints :: Kiahk 8.” Lives of Saints to give your life for this Person who When her father eventually found :: Kiahk 8. Ed. St. George Coptic Orthodox you have only recently gotten to her, he sent her to the imperial Church Chicago, IL. St. Mark Coptic Orthodox know? governor. There, her choices were Church, Jersey City, NJ, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2017. St. Barbara lived in a tower for to sacrifice to the pagan gods, or
He came to us Himself. He came to let us know. He came to take our place. He came to show the way. He came to take us back. He came to pay the price. He came to our embrace. He came to hear us pray.
He came to us by choice. He came to quench our thirst. He came to give us hope. He came to end all strife. He came to build our faith. He came to heal and cure. He came to help us cope. He came to give us life.
He came to keep His word. He came to trample death. He came to cast out fear. He came to set us free. He came to seek the lost. He came to give us love. He came to wipe our tears. He came to you and me.
He came to discard doubt. He came to shine His light. He came to break the chains. He came to help us learn. He came to give us peace. He came to all mankind. He came to ease our pains. Christ came and will return.
9 Contemporary Coptic Martyrs Botrosiya Martyrs
A Statement from His they have won the kingdom of beloved martyrs and may He root Grace Bishop Youssef God. We are praying and fasting out all aggression from His beloved regarding the bombing at for those who commit these Egypt, and may He heal the pain St. Peter Coptic Orthodox cowardice acts and hide behind of all Egyptians suffering from Church in Abassiya, Egypt the cloak of religion to destroy the consequences of terrorism. on December 11, 2016, a nation trying to recover from “And when you hear that we coinciding with the blessed years of the poison of extremism. look for a kingdom, you suppose, month of Koiahk 2, 1733 We are praying and fasting, not without making any inquiry, that A.M. for our martyrs, for they have we speak of a human kingdom. Today, heaven’s gates obtained forgiveness through Instead, we speak of that which opened wide to many victims the body and blood of Christ, is with God, as can be shown of terrorism, angels placed the but for those who do not know from the confession of their faith crowns of martyrdom upon the meaning of love and will not made by those who are charged their heads, and our Lord Jesus be forgiven until they learn the with being Christians, even Christ welcomed them into the power of love. We are praying though they know that death is paradise of joy. Shortly after and fasting, not for our martyrs, the punishment awarded to those receiving the Holy Eucharist, for they held their children in who so confess. For if we looked a bomb exploded on the side their arms so that they would for a human kingdom, we would of this ancient church, where grow in their footsteps and follow deny our Christ, so that we might women, infants, and young the rules of love and forgiveness, not be killed. We would try to children awaited their turn to but for those who are steered by escape detection, so that we might partake of the Holy Eucharist. hate and teach their children to obtain what we hope for. But since There is no God in any religion kill. We are praying and fasting our thoughts are not fixed on the that can accept this savagery, for the healing of all Egyptians, present, we are not concerned for it is incomprehensible that Christians and Muslims, that when men cut us off; since death is heaven can be comprised of we may live together in peace, a debt which must at all events be murderers. Where is the bravery safety, and civility for the paid” (Justin Martyr, c. AD 150, in these atrocities? Where is good of all citizens. We are First Apology 11). the heroism in such violent praying and fasting, not for our We ask the Lord to protect His acts? Bravery and heroism are martyrs, for they followed God’s church and the Christians all over marked by the courage of all commandments, but for those the world, to grant His peace upon Christians, regardless of their who do not denounce these us, to support our beloved father dire circumstances, whether horrific crimes, that will worsen and patriarch, His Holiness Pope poor, ill, or disadvantaged, but matters by not taking a stand. Tawadros II, and to guide all the greet each day with faith and We are praying and fasting that leaders and governors entrusted fill every church in this great the Lord will be swift in hearing with the lives of all the people in land that has been blessed by the call of the martyrs’ blood and the whole world. the blood of the martyrs for bring these murderers to justice Glory be to God, forever. Amen. more than 2000 years. We are here on earth and in eternity. not praying for our martyrs, for May the Lord comfort the 10 families and loved ones of our MIGHTY CHAMPIONS MAGAZINE ARTICLES
I Once was Blind but Now I see
BY JEREMIAH SOLIMAN
I have been crucified with To comprehend the new creation, Old, dead things are supplanted with Christ. It is no longer I who live, first we grasp the fact that it is in new things, brimming with life and actuality a creation, something made the wonderfulness of God. The infant but Christ who lives in me. And 3 by God. St. John, in his gospel, soul thoroughly enjoys the things of the life I now live in the flesh I discloses to us that this new birth was God and despises the desires of the live by faith in the Son of God, achieved by the will of God. We did flesh and the things of the world. who loved me and gave himself not acquire the new nature, nor did Our motivations, emotions, longings, for me (Galatians 2:20). we choose to re-make ourselves once and understandings are new and more, nor did God essentially tidy up distinctive. We view the world n St. Paul’s second epistle to the our old nature; He made something differently with a pure mindset. The Corinthians, the New Creation altogether new and one of a kind. The Bible seems to be a new book, and is described: “Therefore, if new creation is totally new, achieved though we may have read it before, anyone is in Christ, he is a new from nothing, similarly as the entire there is a beauty about it which we I never saw before; there is a marvel creation; the old things have passed universe was made by God, “ex nihilo” away; behold, all things have (Latin for from nothing). Only the about it which we never observed, become new”1 "Therefore" alludes Creator could fulfill such a deed. and which we stand amazed at not us back to verses 14-16 where St. Second, “old things have passed having seen. The entire face of nature Paul reveals to us that all followers away.” The “old” refers to everything appears to us to be changed, and we of Christ have died with Him and that is part of our old nature—natural appear to be in another world. The live for themselves no longer. Our pride, love of sin, reliance on works, sky and the earth are loaded with lives are no longer common; they and our former opinions, habits and new ponders, and all things currently are currently profound. Our passing passions. Most significantly, what we appear to talk forward the acclaim is that of the old sinful nature loved has passed away, especially the of God. There are new emotions which was nailed to the cross with supreme love of self and with it self- toward all individuals—another Christ. It was covered with Him, righteousness, self-promotion, and sort of affection toward family and and similarly, as He was raised up self-justification. The new creature companions, another sympathy at no by the Father, so are we raised up to looks outwardly toward Christ instead other time felt for adversaries, and "walk in newness of life.”2 That new of inwardly toward self. The old another adoration for all humankind. person that was raised up is what St. things died, nailed to the cross with The things we once cherished, we Paul alludes to in his epistle as the our sinful nature. Alongside the old now disdain. The wrongdoing we "new creation." passing away, "the new has come!" once clutched, we now long to fetter
11 Photo Credit: Man Born Blind - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/405042560220432658 I Once was Blind but Now I see
BY JEREMIAH SOLIMAN
until the end of time. We "put off the old man with his deeds,"4 and put on Once a captain of slave ships, he the "new self, created according to God converted to Christianity, became a in true righteousness and holiness."5 prominent abolitionist, and wrote the What about the Christian who lyrics to the hymn “Amazing Grace.” continues to sin? There is a distinction Young people may not experience such between keeping on erring and keeping radical life transformations, but the on living in wrongdoing. Nobody Holy Spirit effects great change in the achieves righteous flawlessness in this lives of all Christians. Just as Saul was life, yet the recovered Christian is being filled with the Holy Spirit, when we blessed, made heavenly, step by step, begin a faith relationship with Jesus, the erring less and despising it all the more Holy Spirit comes into our hearts too. every time he falls flat. Yes, regardless The very presence of God lives in us! we sin, however unwillingly and less and less often as we develop. Our new self abhors the transgression that still has a hang on us. The distinction is that 1 2 Corinthians 5:17. the new creation is no longer a slave to 2 Romans 6:4. sin, as we once in the past were. We are 3 John 1:13. currently liberated from wrongdoing 4 Colossians 3:9. 6 and it no longer has control over us. 5 Ephesians 4:24. Presently we are enabled by and for 6 Romans 6:6-7. exemplary nature. We now have the 7 Romans 6:11-12. decision to "let sin reign" or to number 8 Acts 9:4. ourselves "dead indeed to sin, but 9 1725-1807. 7 alive to God in Christ Jesus" Stories References of changed lives resonate throughout 10 https://www.gotquestions.org/new-cre ation.html. Scripture and history. One of the most 11 H.H. Pope Shenouda – “The Life of Purity and familiar—and drastic—examples is the Repentance.” man who became the Apostle Paul (the 12 https://youthministry.com/ym-pedia/new-creation- writer of all of the above mentioned christ/. scriptures regarding the new creation). Before that, as Saul, he hated Christians and persecuted them. But then Jesus met him on the Road to Damascus, in the form of a bright light and a voice that asked, “Why are you persecuting me?”8 When Saul met Jesus, the trajectory of his life completely changed—he became a new creation. A similar transformation occurred to Englishman John Newton.9
12 Photo Credit: Man Born Blind - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/405042560220432658 MIGHTY CHAMPIONS MAGAZINE New Creation BY SUZY BISHARA
evil. This would also help us in our hardships. So we know the fasting days and we know that some are observed more than others, but depending on how much we fast, we can try to increase the length or austerity from year to year. However, we need to be cautious not to go to extreme, and preferably to be under the guidance of a spiritual father. This would help keep us from setting n the book of John, Jesus our own salvation.2 It is a continual standards that we would told Nicodemus that we have effort from our part to bridle the not be able to follow, and to be born again in order to body in order to strengthen the thus become despondent. enter the kingdom of God: spirit. The fathers have given us Generally speaking, small “Nicodemus said to Him, clear guidelines in this aspect that improvements come in the ‘How can a man be born when he is we grew up with as Copts, many form of baby steps; this is to be old? Can he enter a second time into of those we did not appreciate very applied to prayer as well. Doing his mother's womb and be born?’ much, or did not value, perhaps this over years in conjunction I with sensible behavior should Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, even thinking some of them made I say to you, unless one is born of our lives more cumbersome: the make our spirits stronger. water and the Spirit, he cannot enter long prayers our church is known the kingdom of God.’”1 for, the strict fasts that last more But what is being born again? than half the year, and the expected It is the transformation from behavior in our daily life.
humanity to spirituality. In the case Although we did not always 1 of those already baptized it means appreciate the advice in the form of John 3:4-5. 2 Philippians 2:12. strengthening the spirit; this is done guidelines, it is comforting that it 3 in the same way we do any other was passed down from the fathers, Matthew 17:21. advancement. If a person wants to and according to our belief these learn they study, if they want to be fathers were inspired by the Holy strong they lift weights, but if they Spirit. In addition, Jesus himself want to become more spiritual they said told us that the hardest of evil focus on their spirit. This is done in is only overcome by fasting and progression over the course of our prayer.3 Thus we can conclude that lives. It is as Saint Paul says in his the fathers of the church wanted epistle to the Philippians to work out to strengthen our spirits against all
13 Photo Credit: St. John the Baptist and The Lord Jesus Christ - http://www.saintmaryhouston.org/ Tasting the Sweetness of God: Repentance
BY GEORGE MAKARY
epentance has often been a platform upon which we can be what sin is to flee from it, considered the “second a reflection of Him and a light to knowing its results to avoid it, the world. Therefore repentance is baptism,” as it gives 2 and knowing the punishment of Rrenewal to the soul and cleanses it, a lifestyle and a metanoia. So the sin to be afraid of it.3 Repentance giving new life to the individual. question that is posed is, how do is tied to confession: we must first Many pillars of the Church were, we achieve repentance? You can acknowledge the problem in order through repentance, influential say that repentance is composed to fix it. We must realize that sin to other people not only in of three continuous actions: is separation from God,4 and their time but also today. Saints 1. Confession: The individual maintaining sinful ways deprives Augustine, Mary the Egyptian, confesses his sins not only to us of the life-giving and wisdom- Moses the Strong, David the himself but to God in the presence providing unity with Christ. We Prophet, Samson, the right of his father of confession who must strive then to fully eliminate hand thief, and the woman who provides him with guidance. The sin, which has the consequence of washed the feet of our Lord with acknowledgment is the first step death, and follow in the footsteps her tears all offered repentance to change, as the individual then of Christ, modeling our every as an acceptable sacrifice before can be watchful of what is being steps after His. We take these the Pantocrator, “a broken and done correctly or incorrectly. steps from the Bible and apply a contrite heart— these... [He] This awareness must be kept them to our lives 1 will not despise.” We are a new consistent in order to be fruitful. 2. Prayer: Reading the Bible creation in Christ, when we taste Pope Shenouda tells us that alone is not enough, one must be His sweetness. We are filled to the there are four main incentives for in communication with the One brim with joy and are thus given repentance: Knowing who you they are imitating in order to are to rise above sin, knowing 14 Photo Credit: The Lord Jesus Christ - http://www.saintmaryhouston.org/ MIGHTY CHAMPIONS MAGAZINE Tasting the Sweetness of God: Repentance
BY GEORGE MAKARY
fully comprehend His ways. Father mercy. St Isaac the Syrian tells us taste of the goodness Matthew the Poor5 describes the that “every secret converse, every of our God and our individual immersed in prayer: good care of the intellect directed Father. Regardless of “Whoever persists in surrendering toward God and every meditation how you feel, whether himself to God by praying without upon spiritual things is delimited it be lukewarmness, growing weary receives in the end by prayer, is called by the name indifference, boredom, more than he desired. He even of prayer… whether you speak of lack of progress, receives more than he deserves. various readings, or the cries of a unworthiness, anything Everyone who lives by prayer in the mouth glorifying God, or sorrowing at all, we should never end gathers and gains for himself an reflection on the Lord, or making cease in our prayer, immense trust in God, so powerful bows with the body, or psalmody as all those things are and so certain that it can almost be in verses... From genuine prayer the from the enemy of God. love of God is born, for love comes Prayer is also important seen and touched. His soul becomes 8 imbued with God through and of prayer.” after we sin, when we through, even to it's very debts. Man Ah, the love of God! It is through fall, we must get up thus perceives God in a most vivid prayer that we attain a love of God! immediately, or the evil way. He feels as though his soul This is true repentance, as we shift one will drag us down! has become greater and stronger. from a life of sin cut off from God Satan will fill us with a Neither ignoring his own weakness to a life of union with our Creator sense of unworthiness nor forgetting his shortcomings, he through prayer- even in small ways and distance, which is a becomes sure of the existence of such as explained by St Isaac. This naturally consequential another Being higher than his own love of God pushes us to be like feeling from sin. Ignoring temporal one.”6 Him, and from that we are able to it and keeping consistent is One must pray at all times as the light of the world like Saints what will keep us in union much as possible, this maintains a Augustine, Mary the Egyptian, with God. constant union between God and Moses the Strong, David the I cannot stress enough the individual. Inaudibly, one can Prophet, Samson, the right hand the beauty of the life of recite the Jesus Prayer7 at all times thief, and the woman who washed repentance. One attains a in their mind to keep evil thoughts the feet of our Lord with her tears! love for God stronger than out. The Agpeya and psalms are also 3. Consistency: Consistency any other love. Some may filled with beautiful petitions to our is what will strengthen your prayer even reach a degree of love Saviour compiled for all times of life and repentance. Satan uses our for Him in which God grants day to ask for his forgiveness and lack of consistency against us to tear them the grace to cry tears of 15 down the steps we built to reach and Photo Credit: The Lord Jesus Christ - http://www.saintmaryhouston.org/ Tasting the Sweetness of God: Repentance
BY GEORGE MAKARY
new creation in Christ, we are renewed repentance. They say that and purified through the prayers of love St. Arsenius used to cry so and feelings of remorse over our sins. vehemently that his tears “God will not ask you, ‘Why did you channeled marks on his face sin?’ But He will ask you, ‘Why did you 9 and formed a puddle beneath not repent?’” his feet. Oh what great love! Despite his holiness and 1 Psalm 51:17. great asceticism, even he felt 2 A change in one’s way of life resulting from unworthy before God and was penitence or spiritual conversion. 3 filled with remorse. We also See part two in “The Life of Repentance and Purity” By HH Pope Shenouda to read more about learn from the sinful woman, each of these incentives. who offered repentance to 4 The Life of Repentance and Purity, HHPS, God, who had her repentance Chapter one. accepted at the feet of Christ. 5 “Father Matta El Meskeen (Matthew the Poor), She lowered herself, humbled born Youssef Iskandar (20 September 1919 – 8 June herself to His feet, and washed 2006) was an Egyptian Coptic Orthodox monk. He was the key figure in the revival of Egyptian His feet with her tears and her monasticism in 1969 at the Monastery of St. hair! Keep in mind that people Macarius in the Wadi El Natrun in Egypt. By the at the time of Christ often time of his death the community had grown from 6 walked in sandals, so Christ’s aged monks to 130 monks. He was also a theologian and authored 181 books and hundreds of journal feet must have been covered in articles on Biblical exegesis, Ecclesiastical rites, dirt and dust. And astonishingly, spiritual and theological matters, and much more.” this woman, who was sinful and 6 Fr. Matthew the poor. Orthodox Prayer Life: The occupied with her glory and Interior Way. Crestwood: St. Vladimir Seminary Press, 2003, 15. pleasure, used the very hair of 7 her head, the crown of her head, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me a sinner.” We profess the Divinity of Christ by calling and washed the dirt off His feet him “Lord,” address his humanity and his identity as not with water, but with her tears. the Logos, the Word of God by calling Him “Son of She humbled herself, sacrificed her God,” ask for his presence in our lives by asking for own glory and temporal pleasure, his mercy, and admit our lowly and humble states by calling ourselves sinners. offered it to Christ, and was given 8 Miller, Dana, trans. The Ascetical Homilies of St. Isaac benediction from the hand of He the Syrian. Boston: Holy Transfiguration Monastery, who scattered the stars across the 1984, 303. heavens and spread out land above 9 His Holiness Pope Shenouda III. The Life of the great and billowing waters of the Repentance and Purity. Translated by Nabil Guirgis. earth-the hands that were pierced Sydney: COPT, 1990, 20. and bled and formed us, his children. Therefore repentance makes us a 16 Photo Credit: The Lord Jesus Christ - http://www.saintmaryhouston.org/ 2017 BY KARIM HANNA
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” II Corinthians 5:17 NKJV. hat better time than now to make change? WeW only have now. We don’t have tomorrow, and we’ve lost yesterday. Just as time passes, and every new second is a new chance to live for Him, let us repent this evening and welcome 2017 with hope. If we were weak, we can be strong in Christ. If we were lost, we can be found in Christ. If we were hurt or sick, we can be healed in Christ. See what St. Paul wrote-the old has passed. We have a fresh start today. Let’s receive Him, and grow towards Him. No reason why 2017 can’t be the best year yet.
Blessings and peace. 17 Photo Credit: Angel of The Lord - http://www.saintmaryhouston.org/ Bible Q & A
Q: What sort of things are we to put away and what sort of things should we be doing instead (Ephesians 4:25-32)?
Answer: We should put away lying, anger, theft, corrupt and evil speech, bitterness, and wrath and instead we should be speaking with truth and grace, working to help those in need, being kind, tender-hearted, forgiving others as God in Christ forgave us.
General Q:
What are some steps I can take to climb out of sin and live a renewed life?
1. Recognize that a mistake has been made. 2. Realize that sin has separated you from God. 3. Regret wholeheartedly the sins you have committed. 4. Repent by praying to God for forgiveness. 5. Release your sins in Confession. 6. Return to living in God's light.
187. Rejoice in God's forgiveness and love towards you. Photo Credit: Saint Mark the Evangelist - http://www.saintmaryhouston.org/ Nativity Reflection
The Nativity Sermon of St. John Chrysostom “What shall I say! And how shall I describe this Birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment. The Ancient of days has become an infant. He Who sits upon the sublime and heavenly Throne, now lies in a manger. And He Who cannot be touched, Who is simple, without complexity, and incorporeal, now lies subject to the hands of men. He Who has broken the bonds of sinners, is now bound by an infant’s bands. But He has decreed that ignominy shall become honor, infamy be clothed with glory, and total humiliation
19 the measure of His Goodness.” Photo Credit: Nativity Icon by Dr. Stephane Rene - https://www.pinterest.com/alenirpedrosa/coptic-art/ Diocese Photos
WTL (Way, Truth, Life) High School Boys Winter Consecration of Mother Youanna, St. Mary & St. Demiana Convention 2016, St. Stephen Coptic Orthodox Retreat Coptic Orthodox Convent - Dawsonville, Georgia Center - Titusville, Florida
Elevation of Reverend Fr. Boutros Boutros to Hegumen, St. His Grace Bishop Youssef’s Pastoral Visit to St. Mina Mina Coptic Orthodoc Church - Nashville, Tennessee Coptic Orthodox Church - Nashville, Tennessee
Spicing the relics: (with His Grace Bishop Peter), St. Mary & St. Demiana Coptic Orthodox Convent - Dawsonville, Georgia
20 Diocese Photos
Spicing the Relics, St. Philopateer Coptic Orthodox Church - Richardson, Texas
Spicing the Relics, St. Simon the Tanner Coptic Orthodox Church - Sarasota, Florida
21 www.suscopts.org/MightyChampions
To download, purchase, or subscribe to receive the magazine, visit us on our website!
Publication of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern U.S. Photo Credit: Christ Was Born - http://www.saintmaryhouston.org/ Born - http://www.saintmaryhouston.org/ Christ Was Credit: Photo