L-MANARA 4th Kiahk 1737 AN INITIATIVE OF THE MEDIA COMMITTEE - DIOCESE OF SYDNEY & AFFILIATED REGIONS 13th December 2020 E Volume 1, Issue 266 COPT'S NEWS Volume 2, Issue168

“I have been crucifi ed with Christ. It is no longer I who lives but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20).

NEXT ISSUE: Find this issue online at 6th January 2021 DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: www.elmanara.org.au 31st December 2020

HIS HOLINeSS POPe TaWaDrOS II CLOSe DOWN CHurCHeS TO HeLP STOP THe SPreaD OF COVID 19

5 PrIeSTS PaSS aWay FrOM COVID-19

Published by the Diocese of Sydney & its Affi liated Regions [email protected] 13th December 2020

aNNOuNCeMeNT OF ’S BIrTH GOSPeL reaDING : LuKe 1:1-25 New Testament. • When we think of how St • And that’s why the angel • The coming of John the John was conceived, it was appeared to St Mary, and not Baptist, symbolises the end of Old Testament worship, and the end of the law, and the priesthood. • And instead, his coming announces the arrival of grace and salvation, and the True Priest. • The time when the Angel appeared in the temple is important. We read in verse Today is the 1st Sunday of the 10, that Zachariah was blessed month Kiahk, and making an off ering of incense the gospel reading on this inside the temple – which is day, always tells us about the the role of a priest. announcement of John the • And so, the angel appeared Baptist’s birth, by the Angel at this moment, to proclaim to Zachariah the priest. the coming of the True and The 4 weeks of Kiakh, describe Eternal High Priest; all the events in order, from • The angel appeared at this the announcement of John the moment, to declare that this Baptist’s birth, to the birth of our True High Priest would be the beloved Lord Jesus Christ. true off ering, who would give This gospel reading of the Himself up for the salvation 1st Sunday of Kiakh is very of the world. signifi cant, because it is a fi nal • The angel chose this moment meeting of the Old and New when Zachariah was off ering Testaments. incense in the temple, to This story is a meeting of the symbolise that he was the Old and New Testaments… end of the Old Testament worship. • St Luke describes Zachariah • The Angel stood beside and Elizabeth, in a way that the altar of incense (verse shows they are a continuation 11), to prove that he comes of the faithful people of the as the announcer of a New Old Testament. They both Covenant. have a priestly background: • The right side is Zachariah is from the line of always associated with Abijah, and Elizabeth is from righteousness and truth, and the line of Aaron. so, the angel appeared to • It is interesting to notice that Zachariah on the right hand really a miracle, because his St , to announce the the gospel of Luke, begins of the altar. mother Elizabeth was old news of our Lord’s birth. and ends in the temple: “So • Zachariah, who stood in and barren. • We also read that Zachariah it was, while he was serving the middle of the sanctuary, • But the Lord used her to is unable to speak until the as a priest before God… his became speechless, to glorify His name, and bring birth of John. Why? Because: lot fell to burn incense when show that the mysteries of forth the birth of a very holy • As an Old testament fi gure, he went into the temple of the sanctuary had become person, just like the Lord did his silence symbolises the the Lord” (1:8-9), and, “And silent, because the One who for Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel silence, and end of the Old they were continually in the would fulfi l these mysteries and Hanna. Testament ways temple praising and blessing had come. • When Elizabeth and Mary • As an Old Testament fi gure, God. Amen” (24:53). • Zachariah’s silence is a sign met, John jumped for joy in his silence symbolises that • The 2 temples in Luke’s of his doubts, and it also his mother’s womb! And this God will no longer speak to gospel symbolise the 2 symbolises how Israel did ‘jump’ symbolises that St the people through prophets covenants, or Testaments. not listen to the voice of the John was proclaiming the • As an Old Testament fi gure, • The announcement of the prophets. coming of the Lord, even his silence symbolises the Angel Gabriel in Chapter before he was born! disobedience of the people 1, symbolises the end of The Birth of John the • But why did the Angel Gabriel who refused to believe the the Old Testament, and the Baptist… announce the good news to prophets coming of the New. • When we celebrate the birth Zachariah and not Elizabeth? • But his mouth will be opened • And the disciples preaching of John the Baptist, we are • Because Zachariah was the at the birth of John, because in the temple after Christ’s also celebrating the coming source. And the angel went John symbolises the start of ascension, in Chapter 24, birth of our beloved Lord to the starting point from a New Testament symbolises the confi rmation Jesus Christ. whom the fl esh was to begin. • His mouth will be opened and active ministry of the 2 [email protected] 4th Kiahk 1737 ’ News to symbolise that the Lord grace. John will have the spirit of spirit and power to convert Jesus Christ will now speak Elijah. Why? Because: the Jordon River into a directly to the people o This special grace was • Both Elijah and John were baptismal font • His mouth will be opened to that – he was going to proclaim not married, and lived ascetic • John walked on the earth symbolise that the Lord has the greatest grace of all! Which lives with the beloved Lord Jesus chosen a new people who was our entry into heaven! • Both Elijah and John wore Christ; and Elijah appeared will keep His word, and they very rough dressing, like the in the heavens with the Lord are the Gentiles. o And so, not only was he hermits of glory • Because of their unbelief, the was full of grace, but he brought • Both Elijah and John spent • Elijah watered the earth with Jews were silenced and left the good news of God’s grace to their lives living in the rain after 3 years; and John behind, and salvation was the whole world. wilderness watered the dry soil of our given to the gentiles. • Both Elijah and John were spirits with the waters of o And for this reason, the announcers and proclaimers faith. The Personality of John… angel proclaimed that there will of the truth • Bible tells us that good be great rejoicing over John’s • Both Elijah and John suffered parents are to be praised, • In this gospel reading, the birth, because he was going to persecution at the hands together with their children Angel Gabriel mentions many introduce the Author of grace of rulers, because of their who are worthy of praise. wonderful characteristics and salvation, to the whole virtuous lives: Elijah suffered • For this reason, Hanna about St John. But 1st of all, world! at the hands of Ahab and the mother of was the angel tells Zachariah to • The angel announced that Jezebel, and John suffered praised. name the baby ‘John’. John would be great. And at the hands of Herod and • And received from his • ‘John’, means ‘the grace of indeed, he was great! Herodias parents the virtue of holiness, God’. • He was mighty and powerful • Both Elijah and John were which he also handed down • When God gives someone in his spirit. given power to turn the to generations after him. a name, or changes their • And that’s why the Lord said, hearts of the people from • This shows us the very name, it is a sign that they that there was no greater unbelief to faith important role that parents are worthy of great praise prophet than John the • Both Elijah and John had the have in bringing up their and virtue. Baptist. spirit of prophecy children. • And it is appropriate that • He had a virtuous life, and • Both Elijah and John the Forerunner of the Lord is was not trapped by all the announced the coming of called John, because from temptations of the world, the Lord his mother’s womb, he was but lived as a hermit in the • Elijah was given spirit and Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese filled with the Holy Spirit, wilderness. power to divide the Jordon of Sydney & Affiliated Regions and was given a very special • The angel announced that River; and John was given

True Prayer our sinfulness, we start with A sense of security and reliance add on to how you want to The revelation of true prayer who God is, followed by on God appear, an image that will not our weaknesses. If you are Recognition of my sins last. We need to shift Him from There can sometimes be an standing in a dark room and The way I perceive and deal our last resort to our One and overemphasis of our true you stumble, the first thing with my neighbours only hope that we run to at all human states – “I am dirt.” This you do is turn on the light to times. was never meant to demoralise. prevent yourself from falling The true question we need to It is truth, and it is a truth that again. When the lights are be asking ourselves to achieve Another question we ask is, do switches our sense of security on, you see that damage you these, is when I fall, how do I I pray more fervently in church from our imperfect self to the caused and how to avoid it. It react? than I do when I am alone? perfect Creator of the universe. is a common misconception If you have thoughts of that we should come to God disappointments – “I don’t We may appear good before If we stand in front of anything when we are good, when we do this anymore, I’m better others but what about God? great, what reaction do have overcome sin. God is the than that. I can’t believe I’ve I want to be recognised for you expect? If we compare light of our lives. Through Him, fallen again.” This is reliance doing good before God. While ourselves to the size of the earth, we overcome our sins. Our sins on self. The biggest danger there is nothing wrong with to the size of the galaxy, to the are not revealed on their own. is the nagging voice that says praying among others, make size of universe, the realisation God is first revealed, followed you can make yourself better sure that after every day, it is that follows is how small we by our sins so that we are independent of God. “You’re in the hidden place that you really are in comparison. The supported and guided toward better than that.” When those complete your search for the earth becomes likes a drop life with Him. When God’s glory self-reliant thoughts are Almighty. in the ocean. There is no was revealed to , his first exhausted, turn to God. comparison. The reality of reaction was, “I am a man of Let us stop asking “How are our lives is that despite how unclean lips.” This isn’t even The old Adam hides, blames you” but imitate the monks small we are compared to our necessarily the result of a sin others and ‘clothes’ himself who say to one another, “How Creator, it is His love that makes he committed, it was simply in an attempt to cover up is your prayer life?” For there is us aware of His presence and the realisation of the Almighty. his insecurities. God is like a no life that is separated from our shortcomings at the same parachute that we hope we prayer. time. Practically speaking, there are don’t need to use. We don’t three measures to the efficacy want to pull the parachute to In prayer, we don’t start with of true prayer; keep us alive. God is a nice Published by the Diocese of Sydney & its Affiliated Regions 3 13th December 2020

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Blessed is the one whom you chose and accepted, O Lord, to dwell in your homes forever

We bid farewell to the Deacon and the virtuous servant of Labieb Bushara The cousin of His Eminence, Bishop, and President of the Monastery of Anba Shenouda, And the husband of Mrs. Marcel Bashara and Monica’s father and Bishoy And the brother of both The late Nadia Ayoub, wife of Diacon Alfred Ayoub And Mrs. Aida, wife of Mr. Edward And Mrs. Salwa, the wife of Deacon Emad Eskarous And Mrs. Lily, the wife of Mr. Victor Sidra And the brother of the late Naji, husband of Mrs. Shireen And Magdi’s brother Bushara, the husband of Mrs. Eman Bushara

The wake will be at the St on Tuesday 8/12/2020 from 6:30-8:30 and the funeral service on Wednesday 9/12/2020 at 11:30 AM at the same church. He will be buried at Castle Hill Cemetery

Published by the Diocese of Sydney & its Affiliated Regions 5 13th December 2020 HOW DO We KNOW GOD’S WILL?

God’s Will is what God wants suff er even unto blood and to Because God’s will is revealed This is why we say that it would to reveal to us. It seems to us renounce their will. to those who seek to know it. be good to have a spiritual father. that His Will is a sort of mystery, In other words, in order to start But this Masha was troubled. When I served in Moscow, I sealed seven times over, and to know God’s will we must She was troubled and did not used to speak to our sisters that although we struggle to know how to renounce our own know what to do. And she who studied at the college and know it, somehow God wants to will. If we do not know how to wrote another two letters to Fr they knew the answer to every hide it from us. renounce our own will, if we still Paul, even though it was wrong diffi cult question. They asked: keep to it, then nothing can help to ask the same Bishop Panteleimon of us. On the contrary, God will thing twice. She Smolensk and Vyazma answers hide His will from us. Because if wrote to him with the question: How do we know we know His will, we will oppose the question – is God’s Will? it. As a loving father He does not this God’s will? Fr want us to undergo a greater Paul replied that That is a very good question. punishment for what we knew he had prayed to God’s Will is what God wants but did not do. It is better that God for a long to reveal to us. It seems to us He hides it from us so that we time, that he asked that His Will is a sort of mystery, do not know it, so that we will be forgiveness of her, sealed seven times over, and punished less. of her parents, of that although we struggle to If we renounce our own will, then her spiritual father, know it, somehow God wants to God’s will is revealed to us more that he understood hide it from us. often. Even a child can proclaim that he was greatly In reality, God’s will is what God God’s Will. He can know God’s upsetting them, wants to reveal to us and what will from reading the Gospel and but that this He does reveal to us. It is not from the words of his spiritual marriage was not what we live, but a sort of Divine father. And what is probably the God’s will. will which is a mystery and a most important thing here is of After that she secret, which we strive and course those special elders, rejected her fi ancé. struggle to know. Though, in one special , to whom God’s And after that she sense, perhaps God does want will is revealed, perfectly clearly. began asking Fr us to solve a diffi cult problem, Fr Paul Troitsky was just such Paul what she was to make eff orts. Nevertheless an elder. Perhaps we just say to do; could she meet young ‘What should we do if there is God’s will is what is revealed something about him. When he people, could she think about this or that? What should we do to us easily. And it becomes was alive, we used to get letters marriage? And he wrote to her: if this or that happens?’ They inaccessible to us only because from him where he wrote quite do not seek to meet anyone, but always knew the answer was, we turn away from it. clearly: This is God’s will. Do if someone wants to meet you, ‘You must ask your spiritual The main condition required to this and do that. This marriage then we will talk about it. Finally, father’. know God’s will is to renounce is not God’s will. And we knew she asked him if it was God’s will But here now, in Smolensk, our own will. This is what it really was so. And if you did for her to get married at all. And there are few spiritual fathers obedience means. This is why a something else, then all sorts of he answered her that it was not. and I cannot tell you what you child must obey its parents – he misfortunes and disasters would Why? Because she had to be must ask your spiritual father. must learn to renounce his own befall you. It was very easy to the Abbess of the Convent of Recently I have begun to have will, no matter what his parents know God’s will in this way. But the Conception. But this was not doubts about this. The priest are like, whether they are devout, it was also terrible. Because revealed straightaway. you confess with may not be not devout, intelligent or stupid. God’s will may very well be the And God does not reveal things a spiritual father or a spiritual Why does a wife have to obey opposite of our own will. to us straightaway – this is not person, but any priest you her husband, no matter what? However, Fr Paul did not always exactly God’s will is a very confess with will answer your Sometimes I ask women this reveal God’s will to those who general concept, our destiny, question. So, friends, I do not when they come to confession. came to him. At the Convent our future is not revealed to advise you to answer in this way. An elderly woman comes along of the Conception in Moscow us straightaway. If one of you God’s will is known from what is and I ask: ‘How are you, do you there is Abbess Juliana. Once received a revelation about done. For instance, if we begin to obey your husband?’ ‘Me, I’m she was Masha and worked as a what you will have to endure do something and it gets done, not going to start obeying that nurse in a children’s reanimation in life, you would probably get then we think that that is God’s old fool’. But whoever he is – he department. And she decided to depressed or perhaps worse. will. If it does not happen, then is still your husband. get married. Her spiritual father So these things are revealed to we believe that it is not God’s When you learn to obey someone blessed her, her parents blessed us only gradually. will. – a teacher, a husband, a parent, her, but she did not ask Fr Paul And generally speaking, just as But of course sometimes at fi rst a spiritual father – you are if this was God’s will. She wrote an apple is eaten in mouthfuls, you think that something is not renouncing your own will. him a letter where she told him so we only gradually adapt to God’s will and then you start to Many novices used to go off to what was happening and he spiritual life. But when there is think that actually it is. And then very strict spiritual fathers. And wrote back to her: I will pray for such an elder, then of course it is you change your opinion again. the strictness of their spiritual you, only do not tell your future possible to know what God’s will And so you change your opinion fathers quenched their thirst husband anything about me. He is. When there is no such elder, about it lots of times. Inasmuch for suff ering, their thirst for did not tell her that the marriage then the Gospel or a spiritual as we are not spiritual people obedience, their thirst to witness was God’s will. She did not ask father helps us to know what it but changeable, the decision as before God to their readiness to him and he did not say anything. is. to whether something is God’s 6 [email protected] 4th Kiahk 1737 Copts’ News will or not depends on our mood. or not to marry, or some other mornings? And what if we never some work there. He asked us One thing is for sure, that we issue, we have to stand aside, do this? Is it God’s will for us where we were going and we need to learn in order to know we must not be partial to any never to get angry? But we often said to Hilandari. He said we God’s will. decision. get angry. Is it God’s will for us were going the wrong way, we Fr Paul used to write letters to Fr And once we have done this, to fast? We must not break the would not get there in time, the Vsevolod Shpiller. And in these we must pray to God ardently fast. Is it God’s will for us not to gates would be closed and we letters he very often wrote that so that the Lord reveals His sit in front of the internet till the would have to spend the night one thing was God’s will and will, so that the Lord brings us middle of the night? Clearly, this on the road. We had to go back. another not. And Fr Vsevolod’s understanding. And where our is God’s will. But we were quite certain that son would read these letters. heart inclines, that is what we If we do what we already know we were going the right way Yan Vsevolodovich Shpiller was must do. to be God’s will, then the Lord because we had been told so, a conductor. And once he found I am not sure that we always do will of course reveal God’s will to and we began to say he was a book called the ‘Heliotropion’ God’s will. But nevertheless in us in other situations as well. But wrong, that we were going the and decide to read it and so this renunciation of our own will, if we do not do what is already right way and we began to argue learn to know God’s will. in praying to God, in recalling known to us – then what sort of with him. But he started to help But Fr Paul wrote to him that the words of the Gospel, there God’s will is this? us and ask us: But how can that you cannot know God’s will comes a certain experience, I will end these long-drawn out be so? What are you relying on? from books, and God’s will is all a certain ability to distinguish reflections about God’s will by And one of us said ‘We rely on the more not revealed to young between what is good and what telling you about an interesting God’s will’. To this he answered: people. is bad. But this does not come thing that happened to us on ‘What is God’s will to fools?’ We can be sure of one thing, straightaway – we have a certain Mt Athos. I was walking with Fr Fools, that is, in the sense of dear friends, and that is that we distance to go. Vladimir Vorobiov and Fr Antony people who are not humble. must strive to know God’s will. In order to know God’s will, we Frolov from the monastery of Of course, there are different How can we know it? If we have probably have to live a long life, Zographou to the monastery of types of fools. A humble fool is something to do and we do not we have to learn how to give up Hilandari. better than any clever but proud know whether to do it or not, own will, to learn how to pray. We asked the way, went the person. first of all we have to renounce Then God’s will is revealed. wrong way, but boldly went on Therefore, of course, if we want our own will, so that both But of course if we want to learn thinking that we were going to know God’s will, we have to choices are completely equal in how to do God’s will, it is also the right way. We met a man exert our mind, acquire humility significance. In order to resolve very important to do what we dressed in lay clothes. He was and learn how to renounce our whether we are to live or to die, already know is God’s will. a Bulgarian priest – a lot of them own will. Then, of course, God’s to be ill or to get better, to marry Is it God’s will to pray in the come to the monastery to do will is definitely revealed to us.

Published by the Diocese of Sydney & its Affiliated Regions 7 13th December 2020

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St. Mark Nubian Foundation (ACN 168 959 966 / ABN 29 168 959 966) P.O.BOX 574 ST MARYS NSW 1790 TEL: 61-2-0410 285 118 FAX: 61-2-9833 9299 EMAIL ADDRESS: - “[email protected]” (For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men) “1 Peter 2:15”

“And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying; This is my beloved Son, in whom I well pleased” (Mat3:17) While we are commemorating the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and His Divine appearance; the Directors of our charitable organisation would like to send their warmest wishes to our :- H.H. Pope Abba Tawadros II

And to his partner in the Apostolic service our beloved bishop H.G. Abba Daniel

Wishing them, as well as the whole Coptic people all over the world, joyful feasts full of the Christ peace. During these festivities we urge you not to forget the Lord’s brethren in the war torn zones in Africa.

Accordingly, we would like to provide you with the names and mobile phones numbers of our beloved volunteers who are holding Tax Deductible Receipts as follows: -

Your cheerful donation can also be forwarded to our bank account with details as follows: -

Swift Code: - SGBLAU2S BSB: - 112-879 A’cc: - 493911231 Financial Institution: - St. George Bank Account Name: - St. Mark Nubian Foundation

“He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and He will pay back what He has given.” (Proverb 19:17)

“All Donations are Tax deductable”

St. Mark Nubian Foundation Board of Directors:- Fr. Yousef Fanous (Director & Presiding Member), Fr. Pishoi Botrous (Director & Vice President), Mobarak Alera (Director & Liaison Officer), and Emile Girgis (Director and Secretary & Treasurer)

5th Kiahk 1736 Copts’ News

Coptic School Grant - St. Wanas Foundation “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD … to give you a future and a hope” ~ 29:11

St Wanas Charity is a foundation, under the supervision of St Mark Church, Sydney, whose mission is to serve the community by off ering others a future and hope. We have set out to achieve this goal by providing support across three areas; 1. Orphans and kids Hospital: providing life-saving incubators for infants born in critical condition. We serve needy areas in Cairo, Upper , and Africa. 2. Women 4 Women: sponsoring women in areas of poverty to provide the skills needed to generate an income and better serve their children. 3. Coptic Schools: supporting projects that will support the school’s educational aspirations and benefi t “For of such is the www.exodusyouthworx.org.au students within a Christian environment. @exodusyouthworx In celebration of the 1st Year Anniversary kingdom of God” of the St Wanas Foundation we are Luke 18:16 off ering a grant to one of the Coptic Schools, in an amount between $25,000 Exodus Youth Worx to $30,000. We understand that the needs of each Coptic school are unique Powered by Young People and, as such, the project can be aimed at Help kids in need... improving facilities, providing educational Exodus Youth Worx was created 18 years materials or programs. We have Programs and Services that Applications for this grant should include; ago to serve the Coptic Community are all free to the our community 1. Description of Project: the need, alongside the Church, providing much objectives and scope (250 words). needed, complimentary and essential including: 2. How will the funds be used? eg. Free Counselling is it part of a larger program of work (250 support and services. words). Case Management 3. How is the project expected to Your participation is vital to keeping our Youth Services serve both the short-term and long-term doors open. We need you! needs of the students? (250 words). Outreach The successful applicant is expected to publish the acceptance of the grant in all When you need us, for yourself, your Mentoring and Internship their marketing and social media. Upon family member or a friend, we want to be Employment Readiness completion, a report has to be sent to the committee with the relevant photos/ able to be here for you. This is a growing Drug and Alcohol Counselling videos and published in the social media. service that plays a valuable role in our Community Development Eligibility for this grant is only for the Coptic Schools (St. Mary, St. Mark and Incubators for Community and we want you to be part St Abusefin Church Tutoring St. Bishoy). In order to be considered, El Hagana of that. applications must be submitted by 20- Crisis Intervention NOV-2019 to the charity committee

Crisis Accommodation ([email protected]). The outcome Orphanage in Kenya will be announced on 25th November Kids Clinic in Kewesna EYW is endorsed and supported Coptic Orthdox Schools Seniors Support and Advocacy 2019. by C.O.P.T.S Inc Inc. Support for victims of Domestic Violence If you have any queries, please call the committee on 0400-319-175. Support Groups God Bless How to Donate? You can donate through our website Jonathan + Transfer to bank account: 082184 574249737 Exodus Youth Worx Fr. Jonathan Ishak www.exodusyouthworx.org.au St. Wanas Kids Charity “COPTS Charity’, Ref: St Wanas. or via Direct Deposit 2/440 West Botany St, + St Mark church: Committee room or any church father. BSB 112-879 Rockdale, 2216 ACC 465556041 9597 4330 or 0468 329 206 Check news about St Wanas Kids Charity (SWKC) at St Mark web site. Fr Jonathan 0400 319 175 All donations over $2 are Tax Deductible [email protected] Published by the Diocese of Sydney & its Affi liated Regions 7 Published by the Diocese of Sydney & its Affi liated Regions 9 13th December 2020

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