Ordinary Sainthood The 21st Century Walk So we ask the question... Ordinary Sainthood What’s your Legacy? The 21st Century Walk The 21st Century To continue the works of Tamer... visit www.belikeTamer.com #belikeTamer Tamer Tanious Ordinary Sainthood The 21st Century Walk AN ANTHOLOGY: PERSONAL ACCOUNTS OF A SIMPLE SAINT Copyright © 2021 #BeLikeTamer All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by reviewers, who may quote brief passages in a review. Printed in the United States of America First Printing, 2021 Published by Saint Mary Coptic Orthodox Church of East Brunswick belikeTamer.com This book is dedicated to Makayla and Kaitlyn - loving daughters of Tamer Excerpts from the Sermon Given by Bishop David at Tamer's Funeral In the Name of the Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit, One God Amen. amer Tanious lived every day of his life in preparation for his last. I came Tto his wake and funeral preparing myself to comfort his wife, Marianne, and the rest of Tamer’s family, but their words comforted me. As I listened to Tamer’s friends and family during the services, I pondered whether I was attending a sad occasion or a joyful memorial. It was clear to me that Tamer set a standard for those around him, and I felt that I myself would be held accountable to that standard before God. Although I took note of the wonderful things that were said during the services, I The 21st Century Walk find myself putting those notes aside and speaking freely. Two verses come to mind, one of which was mentioned during our gatherings: “If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to ORDINARY SAINTHOOD ORDINARY the Father” —John 14:28. | 7 8 It is as if Tamer is echoing the words of Christ, explaining to us that there is no better | #BeLikeTamer place than to be with the Father. He says to us “If you loved me, you would rejoice.” Another verse that I want to highlight, which was mentioned a few times during Tamer’s funeral, since it coincided with the Feast of Holy Epiphany, is: “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” —Mark 1:11 In the gospel according to Saint Mark, the reference is in the second person in comparison to that found in the Gospel according to Saint Matthew, which reads “This is my beloved Son.” —Matthew 3:17. I am sure that these were the first words heard by Tamer from the mouth of our Lord Jesus. I consider that Tamer is still serving until this day by his good example, and as we heard from many, this service is converting those with atheistic tendencies to come closer to the knowledge of God and to believe in Him, due to his love for the Lord. What an amazing person. I did not know Tamer personally but have come to know that he was an exceptional human being in his love for God and that he inspired many people by his life’s example. I have heard many use the term Christlike. He was Christlike. Throughout the journey of our spiritual growth, I believe there are three phases that we experience: First, we look to the examples among our friends and loved ones, many of whom we may consider role models. Second, we begin to consider the lives of the saints of the church, whom we know to be of elevated spirituality. Finally, we strive to emulate Christ Himself. The Apostle Paul motivates us, saying: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”—1 Corinthians 11:1 Tamer served as a role model to so many of those who loved him, and encouraged the people in his life to emulate the saints and our Lord Jesus Christ. He found joy in his life while doing good, fulfilling what the Lord taught and commanded in the gospel according to St. Matthew: “for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me…”—Matthew 25:35-36 Tamer set his mind on doing something good for someone else each and every day, and that was how he defined his life. It wasn’t just something that he did, but it was who he was. A kind and generous heart who constantly sought the happiness and well-being of others. I’ve come to know that because of his love for Jesus, he did everything in secret, according to Christ’s commandments (Matthew 6:3), and now he is being rewarded openly through our sincere memorial to him, of course keeping in mind that his reward in heaven is much greater. He lived every day of his life like it was his last, and thus was always ready. Our Lord allowed him to be an example to us, a reminder to ask ourselves whether we ourselves are ready. Are we living the gospel, striving to emulate Christ as Tamer did? “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”—Galatians 6:7 Tamer only sowed good, he sowed love and we witness the evidence of that today. The love you have all shown through your prayers for him is the result of the love he sowed throughout his life. He brought us all together in prayer and allowed us to comfort each other during a trying time, providing strength and support to one another and to the larger community, even those who did not know him, but will still learn lessons from his life. We all feel the magnitude of his loss, but our love for Christ compels us to be one family. We will remain united, continuing to serve in Tamer’s name and example, carrying the torch he lit and handed over to us all. We must emulate what he stood for, and continue to strive. His life continues to be an inspiration to many, and we also must continue to serve, inspire and demonstrate God’s love after his departure. Tamer was just one person, but made a tremendous impact. He wasn’t a prominent deacon, wasn’t well-versed in hymnology, nor a theologian or a member of the clergy. He was an honest person, a true person like his master and Lord Jesus Christ. His life stands as a reminder of the impact one person can have on so many, and The 21st Century Walk reminds us of the responsibility of living as beacons of light like Tamer. His family have likewise lived as an example of steadfastness in their faith and love for God, despite their great loss. ORDINARY SAINTHOOD ORDINARY | 9 10 As an ambassador of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Tamer stood as an example and | #BeLikeTamer spoke about his faith boldly. As a man of compassion, authenticity and emotional intelligence, he touched those around him, and was a Christophorus (Χριστόφορος), or a “bearer of Christ,” carrying Christ in his heart wherever he went. I want to thank you again for sharing Tamer’s memory with me, and to reiterate that we will carry forward Tamer’s example of love and compassion. As one family, we will continue to support Marianne, their beloved daughters, and all of Tamer’s family and loved ones. I am truly inspired by you all and by the support you have all shown and will continue to show to one another throughout our journey on this earth until we reach the Kingdom. Glory be to God forever. H.G. Bishop David Top Ten Things We Can Learn From Tamer by Fr. Mark Hanna “That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” — Hebrews 6:12 1. Tamer taught us to love abundantly. 2. Tamer taught us to go above and beyond for others. 3. Tamer taught us to seek out the discouraged and the lost sheep. 4. Tamer taught us that feeding the hungry was important. 5. Tamer taught us to live life to the fullest. 6. Tamer taught us the art of negotiating for the purpose of helping others. 7. Tamer taught us to interact with our jobs as owners not just as employees. 8. Tamer taught us to learn how to pray. 9. Tamer taught us about commitment. 10. Tamer gave us reasons to be more like him and be “Tamer-ized. 12 | #BeLikeTamer t is quite uncommon to start a book about a person’s life with their eulogy. IPerhaps that is the beautiful paradox of Tamer Tanious; It’s through his passing that we received a bold and revealing testimony of a man who gave his life to many while making sure his deeds remain seemingly unnotable, until the very end. We may have heard or read of stories about individuals who lived their entire lives in meager conditions only to have their deaths reveal the fortunes they’ve secretly amassed. Similar to those stories, this anthology is a collection of stories, poems, and letters whose subject is a man, Tamer, who collected his heavenly treasure quietly and diligently, while avoiding any special recognition. Tamer, however, was not motivated by anything other than a heart filled with so much love for God and His children that he saw his acts as natural byproducts of that love, undeserving of any praise.