Weekly Bulletin 28th November 2021

Page 1


Services at St Mary’s Church Tuesday Liturgy 5:30 - 7am 8am The Way - Orthodox Fekkowship in Englisg for adults - All ages Wednesday: Mass 9 – 11 am Wednesday 6:30-8pm School of Deacons Adults Arabic ; 7-8:15pm English Hymns Class Arabic 8-9pm Thursday English Midnight Praises 7:30pm English Bible Study 7:30pm Friday: Mass Mass 9 – 11 am Friday Youth 25 and above 7-9pm Family Meeting 7-9pm (fortnightly) Discipleship Clas Class 7-8:30pm Year 10-12 Sunday School 6-9pm Saturday: Mass: 8:30 – 10:30am Saturday Sunday School 4 – 5.30pm Vespers & youth meeting 5.30 –7pm English Vespers &Bible Study Arabic 5:307pm Scouts 1:30 - 3pm School of Deaconsgip 3 - 4pm Sunday: Sunday 1st Mass 7 – 9.15am Arabic & English 2nd Mass 9.15 – 11.30am English 3rd Mass 9 – 11am Arabic Hymns Class - English 11:45 12:30pm Church Priests: Priests Fr Tadros Sharobeam 0414251251 Email: frtadros@me.com Fr Habib Girgis Younan: 0401238177 – 94498871 Email: habibgirgisyounan@hotmail. com Fr Michael Salib: 0422431821 Email: frmichael@sac.edu.au Church Address: 5 Epsom Rd., Kensington Vic 3031 Tel: 93766651

:‫مواعيد الخدمة بكنيسة العذراء‬

)‫ صباحا (أنجليزى‬7 - 5:30 ::‫األلهى‬ ‫ القداس األلهى‬:‫الثالثاء‬ ‫ ذا واى‬- ‫ مساء أجتامع للكبار باألنجليزى‬8 ‫ صباحا‬11 – 9 ‫ القداس األلهى‬:‫األربعاء‬ ‫األربعاء‬ ‫ عرىب‬- ‫ مساء مدرسة الشاممسة للكبار‬8 - 6:30 ‫ أنجليزى‬- ‫ مساء مدرسة الشاممسة‬8:15 - 7 ‫ عرىب‬- ‫مساء فصول ألحان‬9 - 8 :‫الخميس‬ ‫ مساء‬7:30 ‫ أنجليزى‬- ‫تسبحة نصف الليل‬ ‫ مساء‬7:30 ‫ أنجليزى‬- ‫درس الكتاب املقدس‬ ‫ صباحا‬11 – 9 ‫ القداس األلهى‬:‫الجمعة‬ ‫الجمعة‬ ‫ سنة فأك رث‬25 ‫ مساء الشباب‬9 – 7 )‫مساء أجتامع األرسة (كل أسبوعني‬9-7 ‫ أنجليزى‬- ‫ مساء أجتامع اعداد الخدمة‬8:30 - 7 12 - 10 ‫ مساء فصل مدرس األحد لسنوات‬9 - 6 ‫ صباحا‬10,30 – 8,30 ‫القداس األلهى‬:‫السبت‬ ‫السبت‬ ‫ مساء‬3 - 1:30 ‫اجتامع الكشافة‬ ‫ مساء‬4 - 3 ‫مدرسة الشاممسة‬ 5,30 – 4 ‫مدارس األحد‬ ‫ مساء انجليزى‬7 – 5,30 ‫العشية واجتامع الشباب‬ ‫ مساء عرىب‬7 - 5:30 ‫العشية ودرس كتاب‬ :‫األحد‬ ‫األحد‬ ‫ ص عرىب وانجليزى‬9,15 – 7 ‫القداس األول‬ ‫ ص – انجليزى‬11,30 – 9,15 ‫القداس الثاىن‬ ‫ ص عرىب‬11 – 9 ‫القداس الثالث‬ ‫ مساء‬12:30 - 11:45 ‫ أنجليزى‬- ‫فصل ألحان‬ :‫األباء الكهنة بالكنيسة‬ ‫األب القمص تادرس شاروبيم‬ 0414251251 Email: frtadros@me.com :‫األب القس حبيب جرجس يونان‬ 94498871Email: - 0401238177 habibgirgisyounan@hotmail.com 0422431821 :‫األب القس مايكل صليب‬ Email: frmichael@sac.edu.au Epsom Rd, Kensington 3031:‫عنوان الكنيسة‬ 93766651 :‫ تليفون‬5 Vic


‫نياحة القديس غريغوريوس العجايبى‬ The Departure of Saint Gregory, the Wonder Worker. 30th November - 21st Hator ‫ هاتور‬٢١ - ‫ نوفمرب‬٣٠ Also on this day, in the year 270 A.D., St. Gregory ‫ ميالدية تنيح‬270 ‫يف مثل هذا اليوم من سنة‬ the wonder worker, departed. He was the bishop of ‫ أسقف‬، ‫القديس غريغوريوس العجائبي‬ Neocaesarea, in the province of Pontos, where he was ‫قيرصية الجديدة ببالد الروم وهي املدينة‬ born to rich pagan parents. He learned philosophy and ‫ وقد‬، ‫التي ولد بها من أبوين غنيني وثنيني‬ wisdom at an early age and surpassed many of his ‫تعلم منذ صغره الحكمة والفلسفة حتى‬ colleagues. Then he went to Beirut, where he studied ‫بريوت‬ ‫ ثم رحل إىل‬، ‫فاق كثريين من أترابه‬ the Greek and Latin subjects. From there he went to ‫هناك‬ ‫ومن‬ ، ‫فدرس العلوم اليونانية والالتينية‬ Caesarea, Palestine, where the erudite Origen was, who taught him Christian philosophy. He also learned The- ‫ميض إىل قيرصية فلسطني حيث كان العالمة‬ ology and the interpretations of the holy books. In the ‫ فدرس عليه الفلسفة املسيحية‬، ‫أوريجانوس‬ ‫ ثم تعلم الالهوت وتفسري الكتب املقدسة‬، year 235 A.D., he went to the city of Alexandria, the cultural center of the world at that time, to complete his ‫ ميالدية‬235 ‫ وقصد مدينة اإلسكندرية سنة‬، studies. ‫حيث اكمل دراسة ما كان ينقصه من العلوم‬ He returned to his town in the year 237 A.D. In the ‫ ويف سنة‬، ‫ ميالدية‬237 ‫ وعاد إىل بلدته سنة‬، year 239 A.D., he was baptized in the holy baptism and ‫ اصطبغ باملعمودية املقدسة واصبح‬239 became a Christian, for he realized the vanity of this ‫ وإذ تيقن زوال هذا العامل ودوام‬، ‫مسيحيا‬ world and chose the way of the everlasting kingdom of heaven. He directed all his attention to the salvation ‫ وجه كل اهتاممه إىل العمل‬، ‫مملكة السامء‬ of his soul. When he knew that the Bishop of his town ‫ وملا علم إن أسقف بلدته‬، ‫عيل خالص نفسه‬ ، ‫يجد يف طلبه ملساعدته يف أعامل األسقفية‬ was seeking him to assist him in the bishopric duties, ‫هرب إىل الربية وتفرغ للصلوات والعبادات‬ he escaped to the wilderness. He devoted himself to ‫الكثرية النرصافه عن العامل وأمجاده الباطلة‬ prayers and ardent worship, forsaking the world and ‫ وملا تنيح هذا األسقف طلبوه لتعيينه خلفا‬، the futility of its glories. ‫ وحدث بينام كان‬، ‫له فلم يعرفوا له مكانا‬ When the Bishop of his town departed, they sought him in order to make him the new bishop but they did ‫الشعب مجتمعا مع القديس غريغوريوس‬ not know where to find him. It happened while the ‫ إذ سمعوا صوتا يقول اطلبوا‬، ‫الثاؤلوغوس‬ people were gathered with St. Gregory, the Theologian, ، ‫غريغوريوس السائح وأقيموه عليكم أسقفا‬ that they heard a voice say, «Seek Gregory the hermit ، ‫فأرسلوا من يبحث عنه يف الرباري والجبال‬ and set him a Bishop over you.» They sent a party to ‫إنجيال‬ ‫وإذ مل يعرثوا عليه قر رأيهم إن يأخذوا‬ search for him in the wilderness and in the mountains. ، ‫حارض‬ ‫ كأنه‬، ‫ويصلوا عليه صالة التكريس‬ When they did not find him, they decided to take a Bi‫كان‬ ‫السابق‬ ‫ الن اسمه‬، ‫ويدعونه غريغوريوس‬ ble and pray the prayer of ordination over it, as though he were present. They called him Gregory even though ‫ ففعلوا هكذا وقام بهذه الصالة‬، ‫ثاؤدورس‬ his given name was Theodore. St. Gregory, the Theolo- ‫ فظهر‬، ‫القديس غريغوريوس الثاؤلوغوس‬ : ‫مالك الرب لهذا القديس يف القفار قائال له‬ gian, presided over this service. The angel of the Lord appeared to St. Gregory in the ، ‫قم اذهب إىل بلدك فقد كرسوك أسقفا عليها‬ wilderness and said to him, «Rise up and go to your ‫ فلم يرتدد‬، ‫وال تستعف من ذلك ألنه من هللا‬ town, for they have made you the bishop over it and re- ‫يف األمر وقام لوقته ونزل من الجبل وأيت إىل‬ fuse not, for it is the Will of God.» He did not hesitate, ‫ فخرج الشعب للقائه بكرامة عظيمة‬، ‫بلدته‬ rose up immediately and descended from the mountain ‫ وقد اظهر‬، ‫ ميالدية‬244 ‫وكملوا تكريسه سنة‬ and went to his town. The people went forth to meet ‫هللا عيل يديه آيات وعجائب كثرية حتى سمي‬ him with great honor, and they completed his ordina- ‫ فمن ذلك انه كان ألخوين بحرية‬، ‫بالعجائبي‬ tion in the year 244 A.D. ، ‫يحصالن منها عيل مقدار كبري من السمك‬ The Lord performed many signs and wonders at his ‫ إذ كان كل منهام‬، ‫وقد وقع بينهام خالف‬ hands, so that he was called the wonder worker. For ‫هذا‬ ‫ وملا مل يتفقا ذهبا إىل‬، ‫يدعي ملكيتها له‬ example, two brothers who owned a lake from which ‫ فحكم إن يقسم‬، ‫االب ليفصل لهام يف األمر‬ they made a good living by catching large amounts of fish had a falling out because of it, for each one of ‫ وإذ مل يقبال حكمه‬، ‫محصولها مناصفة بينهام‬ ‫ وصارت‬، ‫ طلب من هللا فجف ماء البحرية‬، them claimed his ownership of it. When they were unable to reach an agreement, they sought the wisdom ‫ وذاع صيت اآليات‬، ‫أرضا صالحة للزراعة‬ of St. Gregory to help them settle their differences. He ‫والعجائب التي كان يصنعها إىل جميع أقطار‬ ordered that they should divide the yield of the lake ‫ صالته‬، ‫ وملا اكمل سعيه تنيح بسالم‬، ‫األرض‬


equally between themselves. When they did not heed his . ‫تكون معنا امني‬ judgement, he entreated God and the waters of the lake ‫استشهاد القديس قزمان ودميان‬ dried up and it became a farmland, which they divided ‫وأخوتهام وأمهم‬ between them. Reports of the signs and wonders which ‫ هاتور‬٢٢ - ‫ ديسمرب‬١ he made were heard throughout the land. Finally, when he ‫يف مثل هذا اليوم استشهد القديسون‬ completed his strife, he departed in peace. ‫قزمان ودميان واخوتهام انسيموس‬ His prayers be with us. Amen. . ‫ثاؤذويت‬ ‫والونديوس وابرابيوس وأمهم‬ The Martyrdom of Saints Cosmas, Damian, Their Broth‫ وكانت أمهم‬، ‫كانوا من إحدى بالد العرب‬ ers and Their Mother . ‫ ورحومة‬، ‫ ومحبة للغرباء‬، ‫تتقي هللا‬ 1st December - 22nd Hator On this day, saints Cosmas and Damian, their brothers, ‫ فربتهم‬. ‫وقد ترملت وأوالدها بعد أطفال‬ . ‫وعلمتهم خوف هللا وحب الفضيلة‬ Anthimus, Leontius (Londius) and Euprepius (Abrabius), ‫ وكانا‬، ‫وتعلم قزمان ودميان مهنة الطب‬ and their mother Theodata, were martyred. They were from one of the Arab countries. Their mother feared God ‫ أما اخوتهام‬، ‫يعالجان املريض بال اجر‬ and was compassionate and merciful towards strangers. ‫ وملا ارتد‬. ‫فمضوا إىل الربية وترهبوا‬ She became a widow, while her children were still young. ‫ وأمر بعبادة‬، ‫دقلديانوس عن اإلميان‬ She raised them and instilled in them the fear of God and ‫األوثان اخربوه إن قزمان ودميان يبرشان‬ the love of righteousness. Cosmas and Damian studied ‫ ويحضان عيل عدم عبادة‬. ‫باسم املسيح‬ medicine and they treated the sick, free of charge. As for ‫ فأمر بإحضارهام وتسليمهام‬. ‫األوثان‬ their brothers, they went to the desert and became monks. ‫أنواع‬ ‫لوايل املدينة الذي عذبهام بأقىس‬ When Diocletian renounced the faith and ordered the ‫عن‬ ‫سألهام‬ ‫ ثم‬. ‫العذاب بالرضب والنار‬ worship of idols, he was told that Cosmas and Damian ‫ وملا عرفه استحرضهم‬. ‫مكان اخوتهام‬ were preaching in the Name of Christ, and urging oth‫ومعهم أمهم وأمرهم إن يبخروا لألوثان‬ ers not to worship idols. He ordered them to be brought ‫ فأمر إن يعرص الخمسة‬. ‫فلم يطيعوه‬ to the Governor of the city, who tortured them severely by beating them and burning them. He then asked them ‫ وملا مل ينلهم آذى أخرجهم‬. ‫يف املعارص‬ the whereabouts of their brothers. Upon finding out, ‫وألقاهم يف آتون النار ثالثة ايام وثالثة‬ he brought them and their mother. He ordered them . ‫ ثم طرحهم يف مستوقد حامم‬، ‫ليال‬ to raise incense before the idols, but they refused. He ‫وأخريا وضعهم عيل آرسة من الحديد‬ then ordered the five to be squeezed through the wheel. ‫ ويف هذه جميعها كان الرب‬. ‫محامة‬ When they experienced no harm, he took them out and ‫مجده‬ ‫يقيمهم أحياء بغري فساد إلظهار‬ cast them into a red hot furnace for three days and three ‫من‬ ‫الوايل‬ ‫ وملا تعب‬. ‫وإكرام قديسيه‬ nights, then into hot boiling water. Finally he placed them ‫هو‬ ‫فعذبهم‬ ‫امللك‬ ‫ أرسلهم إىل‬، ‫تعذيبهم‬ on red-hot iron beds. Through all this, however, the Lord ‫ وكانت أمهم تعزيهم وتشجعهم‬. ‫ايضا‬ raised them up whole and unharmed to reveal His glory ‫ فانتهرها امللك فوبخته عيل‬. ‫وتصربهم‬ and the honor of His saints. When the Governor became weary of torturing them he ‫ فأمر بقطع‬. ‫قساوته وعيل عبادة األوثان‬ sent them to the Emperor who also tortured them. Their ‫ وظل جسدها‬، ‫رأسها ونالت إكليل الحياة‬ mother constantly encouraged and comforted them. The ‫ فرصخ‬، ‫مطروحا مل يجرس أحد إن يدفنه‬ Emperor rebuked her, but she admonished him for his ‫القديس قزمان يف الحارضين قائال «يا‬ cruelty and for worshipping idols. He ordered her head to ‫أهل املدينة أليس فيكم أحد ذو رحمة‬ be cut off and she received the crown of everlasting life. ‫فيسرت جسد هذه العجوز األرملة ويدفنها‬ Her body remained on the ground and no one dared to ‫ عند ذلك تقدم بقطر بن رومانوس‬. »‫؟‬ bury it for their fear of the Emperor. St. Cosmas screamed . ‫وأخذه وكفنه ثم دفنه‬ at those present saying, “Men of this city, is there not one ‫بنفيه‬ ‫أمر‬ ‫بقطر‬ ‫و ملا علم امللك مبا فعله‬ merciful person among you who will cover the body of this poor old widow and bury her?” Straightaway, Victor, . ‫إىل ديار مرص وهناك نال إكليل الشهادة‬ the son of Romanus, came forward, took the body, placed ‫ويف الغد أمر امللك بقطع رؤوس القديسني‬ ‫قزمان ودميان واخوتهام فنالوا إكليل‬ it in a shroud, and buried it. ‫ وبعد إن‬. ‫الحياة يف ملكوت السموات‬ When the Emperor heard what Victor had done, he ordered that he be exiled in the land of Egypt, where ‫ بنيت لهم كنائس‬، ‫انقيض زمان االضطهاد‬ he received the crown of martyrdom. The next day, the ‫ واظهر الرب فيها آيات وعجائب‬، ‫عديدة‬ Emperor ordered the heads of the saints Cosmas, Damian, ‫ شفاعتهم تكون معنا ولربنا املجد‬. ‫كثرية‬ and their brothers to be cut off. They then received the . ‫دامئا ابديا امني‬


crown of life in the kingdom of heaven. ‫تذكار االربعة والعرشين قسيسا الروحانيني‬ At the end of the era of persecution, many churches ‫ هاتور‬24 – ‫ ديسمرب‬٣ were built in the name of these saints and God made ‫يف مثل هذا اليوم تذكار األربعة والعرشين‬ manifest many signs and wonders therein. ‫قسيسا غري املتجسدين كهنة الحق العايل‬ Their prayers be with us and Glory be to our God ‫ الذين هم ارفع واعظم‬،‫الجالسني حول العرش‬ forever. Amen. ، ‫من جميع القديسني وكل طقوس الروحانيني‬ The Commemoration of the Twenty-Four Priests ‫ ويقدمون‬، ‫لقربهم من هللا يشفعون يف البرش‬ 3rd December – 24th Hator On this day, we commemorate the twenty-four incor- ‫لعزته تبارك إسمه صلوات القديسني كبخور يف‬ poreal priests of the Most High, who are sitting around ‫ يرفعون فيها الصلوات‬، ‫مجامر ذهب بأيديهم‬ ‫ كام يقول‬، ‫والصدقات التي تقدم إىل هللا‬ His throne. They are exalted above all the saints and the spiritual hosts. Because of their closeness to God, ) ‫يوحنا اإلنجييل يف أبوغاملسيس ( سفر الرؤيا‬ ‫«بعد هذا نظرت وإذا باب مفتوح يف السامء‬ they intercede on behalf of the human race and offer the prayers of the saints as incense, in the golden ‫والصوت االول الذي سمعته كبوق يتكلم معي‬ censers in their hands, before the Glorious and Blessed ‫قائال اصعد إىل هنا فأريك ما ال بد إن يصري‬ Lord. St. John the Evangelist said in Revelation, “Af‫بعد هذا وللوقت رصت يف الروح وإذا عرش‬ ter these things I looked, and behold, a door standing ‫موضوع يف السامء وعيل العرش جالس وكان‬ open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was ‫الجالس يف املنظر شبه حجر اليشب والعقيق‬ like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, ‘Come up here and I will show you things which must take place ‫وقوس قزح حول العرش يف املنظر شبه الزمرد‬ after this.’ Immediately I was in the Spirit, and behold, ‫وحول العرش أربعة وعرشون عرشا ورأيت‬ ‫عيل العروش أربعة وعرشين شيخا جالسني‬ a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. ‫مترسبلني بثياب بيض وعيل رؤوسهم أكاليل‬ And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius ‫ ولهم كل واحد‬، ) 4 – 1 : 4 ‫من ذهب (رؤ‬ stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around ‫قيثارات وجامات من ذهب مملوءة بخورا‬ the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I ‫ ) الذي عيل‬8 : 5 ‫هي صلوات القديسني ( رؤ‬ saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes, . »‫األرض يرفعونها إىل ضابط الكل‬ and they had crowns of gold on their heads. (Revela‫قال «وسمعت األربعة الحيوانات يسبحون‬ tion 4:1-4) ... each having a harp, and golden bowls ‫قائلني « قدوس قدوس قدوس الرب اإلله‬ full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints” ‫القادر عيل كل شئ الذي كان والكائن والذي‬ (Revelation 5:8) who are on earth raising it to the ‫ وحينام تعطي الحيوانات مجدا وكرامة‬. »‫يأيت‬ Almighty. ‫وشكرا للجالس عيل العرش الحي إىل األبد‬ St. John continued saying, “I heard the Four living ‫قدام‬ ‫ يخر األربعة والعرشون شيخا‬، ‫اآلبدين‬ creatures praising God and saying, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come.’ ‫الجالس عيل العرش ويسجدون للحي إىل ابد‬ ‫اآلبدين ويطرحون أكاليلهم أما العرش قائلني‬ Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor ‫“ أنت مستحق أيها الرب إن تأخذ املجد‬ and thanks to Him Who sits on the throne, Who lives ‫والكرامة والقدرة ألنك أنت خلقت كل األشياء‬ forever and ever. The twenty-four elders fall down before Him Who sits on the throne and worship Him ‫وهي بإرادتك كائنة وخلقت « وإذا خرج حكم‬ Who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns ‫من لدن اإلله يخرون ويسجدون « قائلني‬ before the throne, saying, ‘You are worthy, O Lord, to ‫عظيمة وعجيبة هي أعاملك أيها الرب اإلله‬ receive glory and honor and power, for You created all ‫ عادلة وحق هي طرقك‬، ‫القادر عيل كل شئ‬ things, and by Your Will they exist and were created.’ ‫ من ال نخافك يا رب وميجد‬، ‫يا ملك القديسني‬ (Revelation 4:8-11) And when a command went forth from God they fell ‫ الن جميع األمم‬، ‫ ألنك وحدك قدوس‬، ‫اسمك‬ ‫سيأتون ويسجدون أمامك الن أحكامك قد‬ down, and worshipped saying, ‘Great and marvelous . « ‫أظهرت‬ are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are ‫ا‬ ‫ر‬ ‫تذكا‬ ‫العيد‬ ‫هذا‬ ‫الكنيسة‬ ‫معلمو‬ ‫رتب‬ ‫لذا قد‬ Your ways, O King of the saints, who shall not fear ‫ شفاعتهم تكون معنا ولربنا املجد دامئا‬، ‫لهم‬ You, O Lord, and glorify Your Name? For You alone . ‫ابديا امني‬ are Holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.’” ‫تذكار القديس كرنليوس قائد املائة‬ (Revelation 15:3-4) ‫ هاتور‬٢٣ - ‫ ديسمرب‬٢ The fathers of the church arranged this feast to com‫يف مثل هذا اليوم تنيح القديس كرنيليوس‬ memorate them. Their intercession be for us and Glory ‫ كان رئيسا عيل فرقة من مئة‬، ‫قائد املئة‬


be to our God forever. Amen. ‫ وكان يعبد‬، ‫جندي بقيرصية فلسطني‬ The Departure of St. Cornelius the Centurion. ‫ فلام سمع عن التالميذ‬، ‫الكواكب‬ 2nd December - 23rd Hator ‫ورأي اآليات التي كانت تجري عيل‬ On this day, St. Cornelius the centurion, departed. He was a ‫ مام تعجز عنها قوي البرش‬، ‫أيديهم‬ captain over one hundred soldiers in Caesarea of Palestine ‫ ذهل عقل وتحري‬، ‫واإللهة الوثنية‬ and he worshipped the stars. ‫عبادة‬ ‫ فرتك‬، ‫وساوره الشك يف ألهته‬ When he heard the Apostles preaching and saw the miracles ‫هللا‬ ‫إىل‬ ‫ وبدا يرفع قلبه‬، ‫الكواكب‬ performed at their hands, which were above and beyond any human power or pagan gods, he was astonished, confused, ‫بالصوم والصالة والرحمة وكان يقول‬ and he started to doubt his gods. He forsook the worship of ‫ أنني قد‬، ‫يف صالته «أيها الرب اإلله‬ ‫تحريت يف معرفتك فأرشدين واهدين‬ the stars and opened his heart to the Lord through prayers, ‫ فتحنن هللا عليه وقبل صالته‬، ‫إليك‬ fasting and merciful deeds. In his prayers he repeated, “O ‫ وأرسل له مالكا يبرشه‬، ‫وصدقته‬ Lord God, I am confused in my knowledge of You, direct me and guide me to You.” The Lord had compassion on him, ‫ ويأمره إن‬، ‫بقبولهام وصعودهام إليه‬ accepted his prayers and his compassionate deeds, and sent ‫يرسل إىل مدينة يافا فيدعو بطرس‬ an angel to announce to him that his prayers and alms had ‫الرسول الذي كان نازال عند سمعان‬ ascended before God and had been accepted by Him. He ‫ فيعلمه ماذا ينبغي إن يفعل‬، ‫الدباغ‬ ordered him to send men to the city of Joppa, to bring St. ‫ وملا دخل بطرس‬، ‫ فأرسل واستحرضه‬، Peter the Apostle, who was lodging with Simon the tanner ‫استقبله كرنيليوس وسجد واقعا عيل‬ and who would tell him what he must do. Cornelius did as ‫ فأقامه بطرس قائال «قم انا‬، ‫قدميه‬ the Lord said and had St. Peter brought to his house. As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at ‫ وملا دخل بيته وجد‬، »‫ايضا إنسان‬ his feet and worshipped him. But Peter lifted him up saying, ‫جامعة كبرية من األمم فقال «لهم‬ ‫انتم تعلمون إن رشيعة التوراة‬ “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” When Peter went in the house, he found many Gentiles who had come together. ‫ اال‬، ‫متنعني من مخالطة غري املختونني‬ Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a ‫إن هللا قد أراين إن ال أقول عن إنسان‬ Jewish man to keep company with or to go to one of anoth- ‫ فلذلك جئت‬، ‫ما انه دنس أو نجس‬ er nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any ، »‫ فامذا تريدون‬، ‫إذ استدعيتموين‬ man common or unclean. Therefore, I came without objec- ‫فقال كرنيليوس «منذ أربعة ايام إىل‬ tion as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then for what reason ‫هذه الساعة كنت صامئا ويف الساعة‬ have you sent for me?” So Cornelius said, “Four days ago ‫ وإذا‬، ‫التاسعة كنت اصيل يف بيتي‬ I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour, I prayed ، ‫رجل قد وقف أمامي بلباس المع‬ in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright ‫صالتك‬ ‫وقال يا كرنيليوس سمعت‬ clothing, and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard ‫ فأرسل إىل‬، ‫وذكرت صدقاتك أمام هللا‬ and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. Send, ، ‫يافا واستدع سمعان امللقب بطرس‬ therefore, to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is ‫انه نازل يف بيت سمعان رجل دباغ‬ Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the ‫ فهو متي جاء يكلمك‬، ‫عند البحر‬ sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ So I sent to you immediately and you have done well to come. Now there‫ وأنت فعلت‬، ‫ فأرسلت إليك حاال‬، fore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things ‫ واآلن نحن جميعا‬، ‫حسنا إذ جئت‬ commanded you by God.” ‫حارضون أمام هللا لنسمع جميع‬ Peter then opened his mouth and said, “In truth I perceive ‫ ففتح بطرس فاه‬، »‫ما أمرك به هللا‬ that God shows no partiality. But in every nation, whoever ‫وقال «بالحق انا أجد إن هللا ال يقبل‬ fears Him and works righteousness, is accepted by Him.” ‫ بل يف كل أمة الذي يتقيه‬، ‫الوجوه‬ Then he preached to them of Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, ‫برشه‬ ‫ ثم‬، »‫ويصنع الرب مقبول عنده‬ and explained to them the mystery of His incarnation, cruci‫ واعلمه‬، ‫بيسوع املسيح رب الكل‬ fixion, resurrection, ascension and the workings of miracles in His Name. Cornelius, his household, all his men and most ‫رس تجسده وصلبه وقيامته وصعوده‬ ‫ فأمن كرنيليوس‬، ‫وعمل اآليات باسمه‬ of those who were with him, believed and were baptized ‫وأهل بيته وكل غلامنه واكرث الذين‬ in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Straightaway the Holy Spirit descended upon them. (Acts ‫ وتعمدوا باسم االب واالبن‬، ‫معه‬ 10) ‫ فحل عليهم نعمة‬، ‫والروح القدس‬ Afterwards, Cornelius left the military service and followed ‫ وبعد ذلك‬، ‫الروح القدس يف الحال‬ the Apostles. St. Peter then ordained him a Bishop over the ، ‫ترك كرنيليوس الجندية وتبع الرسل‬


city of Caesarea of Palestine. He went there and pro‫ورسمه القديس بطرس أسقفا عيل مدينة‬ claimed the Name of Christ, showing them the error of ‫قيرصية من أعامل فلسطني فميض إليها‬ worshipping idols. Their minds were illuminated with the ‫ مبينا لهم ضاللة‬، ‫وبرش فيها باملسيح‬ knowledge of God and they believed in Him. He strength- ‫ فاستنارت عقولهم مبعرفة هللا‬،‫األصنام‬ ened them with the signs and miracles he performed ‫ ثم ثبتهم مبا صنعه أمامهم‬، ‫وآمنوا به‬ before them and he baptized them all and among them was ،‫من اآليات واملعجزات وعمدهم جميعا‬ Demetrius the Governor. Then he departed in peace and ‫ ثم تنيح‬، ‫وكان بينهم دميرتيوس الوايل‬ received the crown of glory of the apostles. ، ‫بسالم ونال إكليل الرسل املبرشين‬ His prayers be with us. Amen. . ‫صالته تكون معنا امني‬ The Martyrdom of St. Mercurius Known as the Saint with ‫استشهاد القديس مرقوريوس أىب سيفني‬ the Two Swords ‫بالقرن الثالث امليالدى‬ 4th December – 25th Hator ‫ هاتور‬25 ‫ ديسمرب‬٤ On this day, St. Mercurius, known as the saint with the two swords (Abu-Saifain), was martyred. He was born ‫يف مثل هذا اليوم استشهد القديس‬ in the city of Rome. His parents were Christians and ‫ وقد‬، ‫مرقوريوس الشهري بايب السيفني‬ they called him Philopateer (which means “Lover of the ‫ولد هذا القديس مبدينة رومية من‬ Father”). They reared him in a Christian manner. When he ‫ فأسمياه فيلوباتري‬، ‫أبوين مسيحيني‬ grew, he enlisted in the army during the days of Emperor ‫ وملا بلغ دور‬، ‫وأدباه باآلداب املسيحية‬ Decius, the pagan. The Lord gave Philopateer the strength and the courage, for which he earned the satisfaction of his ‫الشباب انتظم يف سلك الجندية أيام‬ ‫ وأعطاه الرب قوة‬، ‫امللك داكيوس الوثني‬ superiors. They called him Mercurius and he grew very ‫وشجاعة أكسبته رضاء رؤسائه فدعوه‬ close to the Emperor. When the berbers rose up against ‫ وكان من املقربني‬، ‫باسم مرقوريوس‬ Rome, Decius went out to fight them, but when he saw ‫ وحدث إن ثار الرببر عيل‬، ‫لدي امللك‬ how many they were, he became terrified. St. Mercurius ‫رومية فخرج داكيوس ملحاربتهم ففزع‬ assured him saying, “Do not be afraid, because God will destroy our enemies and will bring us victory.” When he ‫ ولكن القديس‬، ‫عندما رأي كرثتهم‬ left the Emperor, an angel appeared to him in the shape of ‫مرقوريوس طأمنه قائال “ال تخف الن‬ a human being, dressed in white apparel. The angel gave ، »‫هللا سيهلك أعداءنا ويجعل الغلبة لنا‬ him a sword saying, “When you overcome your enemies, ‫وملا انرصف من أمام امللك ظهر له مالك‬ remember the Lord your God.” (That is why he is called, ‫يف شبه إنسان بلباس ابيض اعطاه سيفا‬ “of the two swords”, “Abu-Saifain”, one is the military ‫قائال له «إذا غلبت أعدائك فاذكر الرب‬ sword and the other is the sword of the divine power). ‫أعدائه‬ ‫ فلام انترص داكيوس عيل‬، »‫إلهك‬ When Emperor Decius conquered his enemies and Mercu‫املالك‬ ‫ورجع مرقوريوس ظافرا ظهر له‬ rius came back victorious, the angel appeared to him and ‫ أي إن يذكر الرب‬، ‫وذكره مبا قاله قبال‬ reminded him of what he told him previously, that is, to ‫ أما امللك داكيوس فأراد إن يبخر‬، ‫إلهه‬ remember the Lord his God. ‫ فتخلف القديس‬، ‫ألوثانه هو وعسكره‬ Decius, and his soldiers with him, wanted to offer up ‫ وملا أعلموا امللك بذلك‬، ‫مرقوريوس‬ incense to his idols and St. Mercurius tarried behind. When they informed the Emperor of what had happened, ‫استحرضه وأبدي دهشته من العدول‬ he called St. Mercurius and expressed his amazement at ‫ فرمي‬، ‫ ووبخه عيل تخلفه‬، ‫عن والئه له‬ his abandoning of his loyalty to him. The Emperor repri- ‫القديس منطقته ولباسه بني يدي امللك‬ manded him for refusing to come and offer incense to the ‫وقال له «إنني ال اعبد غري ريب والهي‬ idols. The Saint cast his girdle and his military attire down ‫ فغضب امللك وأمر‬، »‫يسوع املسيح‬ before the Emperor and said to him, “I do not worship ‫تعلق‬ ‫ وملا رأي‬، ‫برضبه بالجريد والسياط‬ anyone except my Lord and my God Jesus Christ.” The ‫امللك‬ ‫ خيش‬، ‫أهل املدينة والجند به‬ Emperor became angry and ordered him to be beaten with ‫ فأرسله مكبال‬، ‫إن يثوروا عليه بسببه‬ whips and stalks. When the Emperor saw how the people ‫ وهناك قطعوا‬، ‫بالحديد إىل قيرصية‬ of the city and the soldiers were attached to St. Mercurius, the Emperor feared that they might revolt. So instead, he ‫رأسه فكمل جهاده املقدس ونال إكليل‬ ‫ شفاعته‬. ‫الحياة يف ملكوت السموات‬ bound him in iron fetters and sent him to Caesarea where they cut off his head. He thus completed his holy fight and . ‫تكون معنا ولربنا املجد دامئا ابديا امني‬ received the crown of life in the kingdom of heaven. His prayers be for us and Glory be to our God forever. Amen.


Meditations on the Liturgy’s Gospel ‫تأمالت فى انجيل القداس‬ Third Sunday of the blessed month of Hatour ‫االحد الثالث من شهر هاتور المبارك‬ Luke 14: 25-35 ٣٥ - ٢٥ :١٤ ‫لو‬ And whoever does not bear his cross and come after ‫من ال يحمل صليبه ويتبعنى ال يقدر أن‬ Me cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:27) ‫يكون لى تلميذا‬ ٢٧ : ١٤ ‫لو‬ Whoever does not bear his cross ‫ من ال يحمل صليبه‬+ There is no salvation without a cross, no ‫ ال‬.. ‫ال خالص بدون صليب‬ Christianity without a cross, and no Christian ‫ وال مسيحى‬.. ‫مسيحية بدون صليب‬ without a cross. .. ‫بدون صليب‬ The cross is not just a banner that we carry, rejoice ‫والصليب ليس مجرد علم نحمله ونفرح‬ with it, and sanctify, but the cross is a complete discipleship to the Lord Christ. It is pain mixed with ‫ بل الصليب هو تلمذة‬.. ‫به ونقدسه فقط‬ ‫ هو ألم ممزوج‬.. ‫كاملة للسيد المسيح‬ love, weariness mixed with joy, and persecution .. ‫ هو تعب ممزوج بالفرح‬.. ‫بالحب‬ from the world mixed with amazing peace of God. ‫بسالم‬ ‫هو إضطهاد من العالم ممزوج‬ When the world wants to call a person to follow .. ‫عجيب فى هللا‬ a certain creed or join a special group, they show ‫اإلنسان‬ ‫يدعى‬ ‫أن‬ ‫يريد‬ ‫العالم عندما‬ the positives of this group and the amount of joys, ‫جماعة‬ ‫الى‬ ‫ينضم‬ ‫أو‬ ‫معينة‬ ‫ليتبع عقيدة‬ comfort and happiness that he/she will enjoy with ‫خاصة يعلن عن مميزات هذه الجماعة‬ them. They hide behind these positives the bitter ‫وعن مقدار ما سوف تتمتع به معهم من‬ reality; which is misery, desolation, physical and ‫ ويخفى حقيقته‬.. ‫أفراح وراحة وسعادة‬ spiritual destruction. As for Christianity, it is announcing the cross. But behind the cross you can ‫المرة التى تخفى وراء هذا كله تعاسة‬ ‫ أما‬.. ‫وشقاء وهالك جسدى وروحى‬ see the joys of eternity and the blisses of heaven. There are those who do not want to carry the cross, .. ‫المسيحية فهى تعلن عن الصليب‬ and there are those who postpone carrying the ‫وخلف الصليب تستطيع أن ترى بهجة‬ cross. But there are those who carry the cross with .. ‫األبدية وأفراح السماء‬ joy. There are some who do not want to carry the ‫وهناك من ال يريد ان يحمل الصليب‬ cross, although they can, but the cross for them is .. ‫ وهناك من يؤجل حمل الصليب‬.. a heavy burden that prevents them from enjoying ‫ هناك‬.. ‫وهناك من يحمل الصليب بفرح‬ their desires. It deprives them of the pleasures of the ‫ رغم‬.. ‫من ال يريد ان يحمل الصليب‬ world. It deprives them of the things they love and ‫ ولكن الصليب بالنسبة‬.. ‫أنه يستطيع‬ do not want to give them up. .. ‫له حمل ثقيل يمنعه ان يتلذذ بشهواته‬ Among these was Gehazi, Prophet Elisha’s servant, ‫ يحرمه من‬.. ‫يحرمه من ملذات العالم‬ (2 Kings 5: 19-27) who could have carried the ‫االشياء التى يحبها وال يريد أن يتخلى‬ cross and become a great prophet like Elisha his .. ‫عنها‬ master, and just as Elisha carried the cross with ‫أليشع‬ ‫غالم‬ ‫جيحزى‬ ‫هؤالء‬ ‫ومن‬ joy from Elijah (1 Kings 19: 19-21). But Gehazi )27‫ا‬٩ : ‫ه‬ ‫الثانى‬ ‫(ملوك‬ ‫النبى‬ could not bear the cross. He could not stand the life ‫كان بإمكان جيحزى أن يحمل الصليب‬ of voluntary poverty and self-denial; he ran after ‫وأن يصير نبيا عظيما مثل أليشع سيده‬ Naaman the Syriac asking for gifts and clothes. ‫ وكما حمل أليشع الصليب بفرح‬.. When he threw the cross from his hand; Naaman’s .. )٢‫ا‬ - ‫ا‬٩ :‫ا‬٩ ‫من إيليا (ملوك االول‬ leprosy clung in him and his offspring forever. ‫ لم‬.. ‫ولكن جيحزى لم يحتمل الصليب‬ Among those who threw the cross was Judas ‫يحتمل حياة الفقر االختيارى وإنكار‬ Iscariot, who could not bear the cross and become ‫ وركض وراء نعمان السريانى‬.. ‫الذات‬ a disciple of the Lord Christ. Among them was ‫ وعندما ألقى‬.. ‫يطلب الهدايا والمالبس‬ Demas, Paul’s disciple, who has forsaken him, ‫ لحق به برص نعمان‬.. ‫الصليب من يده‬ having loved this present world. And among them was Saul the king, who before him, the .. ‫السريانى وبنسله الى االبد‬


commandments of God became a heavy ‫ومن هؤالء الذين القوا بالصليب يهوذا‬ cross, and refused to carry it. Among them ‫اإلسخريوطى اذ لم يحتمل ان يحمل الصليب‬ is Arius, who refused to carry the cross of ‫ ومن هؤالء ديماس‬.. ‫ويصير تلميذ اللسيد المسيح‬ the Lord Christ, the Word of God crucified ‫ الذى تركه ألنه أحب العالم الحاضر‬.. ‫تلميذ بولس‬ for the salvation of the world. ‫ الذى صا رت امامه‬.. ‫ ومن هؤالء شاول الملك‬.. All of these rejected the cross and threw it. .. ‫وصايا هللا صليبا ثقيال رفض أن يحمله‬ They preferred the pleasure of an hour in ‫ الذى رفض أن يحمل‬... ‫ومن هؤالء أريوس‬ the body. They lost before them the joy of ‫صليب السيد المسيح كلمة هللا المصلوب عن‬ all eternal life. .. ‫خالص العالم‬ And here is someone who postpones ‫ فضلوا لذة‬.. ‫كل هؤالء رفضوا الصليب وألقوه‬ carrying the cross; he wants to carry ‫ وخسروا أمامهم بهجة الحياة‬.. ‫ساعة بالجسد‬ the cross, ready to carry it, but not now. .. ‫األبدية كلها‬ For him, now, is the time for fun and ‫يريد‬ ‫أنه‬ .. ‫ب‬ ‫الصلي‬ ‫حمل‬ ‫يؤجل‬ ‫وهنا ك من‬ entertaining, not the time for the cross. The ‫ليس‬ ‫ولكن‬ ‫يحمله‬ ‫ان‬ ‫مستعد‬ .. ‫الصليب‬ ‫ان يحمل‬ cross for him is a cross with conditions. ‫والمرح‬ ‫اللهو‬ ‫وقت‬ ‫هو‬ ‫اآلن‬ ‫عنده‬ ‫فالوقت‬ .. ‫اآلن‬ And from these is the rich young man; he ‫عندهم‬ ‫فالصليب‬ .. ‫ب‬ ‫الصلي‬ ‫وقت‬ ‫وليس‬ kept the commandments from his youth .. ‫بشروط‬ ‫صليب‬ ‫هو‬ and now he wants to inherit eternal life, ‫من‬ ‫الوصايا‬ ‫حفظ‬ ‫لقد‬ .. ‫الغنى‬ ‫الشاب‬ ‫هؤالء‬ ‫ومن‬ but on the condition that he remains rich. ‫ ولكن‬.. ‫ واآلن يريد أن يرث الحياة األبدية‬.. ‫صباه‬ That is, he wants to carry the cross and ‫ أى أنه يريد أن يحمل‬.. ‫بشرط أن يبقى غنيا‬ world riches together. He wants to enjoy ‫ يريد أن يتمتع‬.. ‫الصليب والغنى العالمى معا‬ the world first and postpones the cross; a ‫ صليب مع‬.. ‫ يريد صليبا مؤجال‬.. ‫بالعالم أوال‬ cross with suspended sentence. What cross ‫ وأى صليب هذا ؟ أنه يشبه تلميذا‬.. ‫وقف ا لتنفيذ‬ is this? It is like a student who wants to succeed, but on condition that he does not ‫يريد أن ينجح ولكن بشرط أن ال يذاكر اال فى آخر‬ study until the end of the academic year. .. ‫ يريد أن يلعب ويلهو أوال‬.. ‫العام الدرا سى‬ He wants to play and have fun first. ‫أننا كثيرا ما نطلب صليبا نحمله وباليد األخرى‬ We often ask for a cross to carry in one ‫ نريد أن‬.. ‫نريد أن نحمل ملذاتنا وشهوات العالم‬ hand and with the other hand we want to ‫ الصليب وكأس الخمر‬.. ‫نحمل الصليب والسيجارة‬ carry our pleasures and the desires of the ‫ الصليب‬.. ‫ الصليب وموضة المالبس الخليعة‬.. world. We want to carry the cross and the .. ‫والعالم‬ cigarette, the cross and the cup of wine, the .. ‫فى الحقيقة الصليب يحتاج الى كل من يديك‬ cross and the fashion of lewd clothes, the ‫ ال بد أن تخلى‬.. ‫الصليب ال يحمل بيد وا حدة أبدا‬ cross and the world. In fact, the cross needs .. ‫كلتا يديك للصليب‬ both of your hands; the cross is never held ‫وهناك من يحمل الصليب بفرح ورضى الى‬ by one hand. You must use both of your ‫ فى حياة‬.. ‫ فى حياة غربة عن العالم‬.. ‫النهاية‬ hands for the cross. .. ‫إنكار الذات‬ And there are those who carry the cross ‫رفضوا‬ .. ‫النبى‬ ‫ودانيال‬ ‫الثالثة‬ ‫الفتية‬ ‫أنظر الى‬ with joy and contentment to the end; in a ‫الذى‬ ‫صليبهم‬ ‫يحملوا‬ ‫أن‬ ‫فضلوا‬ .. ‫الملك‬ ‫أطايب‬ life of alienation from the world, in a life of ‫وقتى‬ ‫تمتع‬ ‫لهم‬ ‫يصير‬ ‫أن‬ ‫على‬ ‫طفولتهم‬ ‫منذ‬ ‫حملوه‬ self-denial. .. ‫بالخطية‬ ‫ رفض أن يطيع أمر الملك ويعبد‬.. ‫دانيال النبى‬ Look at the three Youth and Daniel the Prophet; they rejected the king’s delicacies. ‫آلهته مفضال أن يضحى بكل مجد العالم وغناه وال‬ ‫ مفضال جب االسود على عرش‬.. ‫يلقى بصليبه‬ They preferred to carry their cross, which ‫ فضل ان يحمل صليب‬.. ‫ يوسف العفيف‬.. ‫بابل‬ they carried since their childhood, rather ‫العفة والطهارة الذى يتنكر له اليوم الكثيرون‬ than having a temporary enjoyment of sin. ‫ فضل السجن على رضاء‬.. ‫ويرفضه الكثيرون‬ Daniel the Prophet, he refused to obey the king’s command and worship his gods, .. ‫فوطيفار وزوجته الشريرة‬


preferring to sacrifice all the glory and riches of .. ‫ حمل صليبه عاليا‬.. ‫يوحنا المعمدان‬ the world and not throw his cross. He preferred .. ‫مناديا بالحق وسط عالم يرفض الحق‬ the den of lions on the throne of Babylon. Joseph ‫فضل أن يلقى فى السجن وتقطع رأسه‬ the righteous, he preferred to carry the cross of .. ‫على أن يتخلى عن صليبه‬ chastity and purity that today many deny and ‫ أنظر‬.. ‫كثيرون جدا حملوا صليبهم بفرح‬ reject by many. He preferred imprisonment over ‫الى هذا الموكب الذى ال ينتهى من شهداء‬ the satisfaction of Potiphar and his wicked wife. ‫ أنظر الى ديسقورس‬.. ‫الكنيسة وقديسيها‬ John the Baptist carried his cross high; ‫ االنبا‬.. ‫ مارجرجس‬.. ‫ وأثناسيوس‬.. proclaiming the truth in the midst of a world that .. ‫أنطونيوس‬ rejects the truth. He preferred to be thrown into ‫ إين هو صليبك ؟ ماذا‬.. ‫أيها الحبيب‬ prison and beheaded than to give up his cross. ‫فعلت بصليبك ؟؟‬ Many carried their cross with joy. Look at this .. ‫صليبك‬ ‫تعال وأحمل‬ endless procession of the church’s martyrs and ‫الصليب‬ ‫يكون‬ ‫ربما‬ ‫؟‬ ‫صليبك‬ ‫أين هو‬ saints. Look at Dioscorus, Athanasius, Saint .. ‫زوجتك‬ .. ‫بيتك‬ ‫أهل‬ ‫فى‬ ‫هو‬ ‫عندك‬ George, and Saint Anthony. .. ‫أوالدك‬ .. ‫زوجك‬ O beloved, where is your cross? What did you do ‫ أم أنت‬٠٠٠ ‫هل تحمل هدا الصليب بفرح‬ with your cross? ‫ تريد آن تلقيه‬٠٠٠ ‫ترفض هذا الصليب‬ Come and take up your cross. ٠٠٠ ‫وتتخلى عنه‬ Where is your cross? Perhaps your cross is your ‫ فى‬.. ‫ربما كان ا لصليب فى عملك‬ family; your wife, your husband, your children. .. ‫ فى تعاملك مع اآلخرين‬.. ‫أمانتك‬ Do you carry this cross with joy? Or do you reject this cross? Do you want to throw it and give it up? ‫ فى محبتك‬.. ‫ربما كان الصليب فيك أنت‬ Perhaps the cross is in your work, in your honesty, ‫ فى تعلقك بعادات غير‬.. ‫للراحة والكسل‬ ‫ بالزينة‬.. ‫ فى أهتمامك بالموضة‬.. ‫الئقة‬ in your dealings with others. Perhaps the cross is in you; in your love for comfort and laziness, in ‫ هل‬.. ‫ فى ترفيه الجسد الزائد‬.. ‫الجسدية‬ your attachment to inappropriate habits, in your ‫أنت مستعد أن تحمل هذا الصليب ؟‬ interest in fashion, in bodily adornment, in too .. ‫رغم أن فيه تضحية بأشياء كثيرة‬ much entertainment of the flesh. Are you ready to ‫ تضحية‬.. ‫تضحية براحة جسدية‬ bear this cross? ‫ تضحية بمظاهر جسدية‬.. ‫بملذات جسدية‬ Carrying the cross involves a sacrifice of many ‫ فيه فقر أختيارى‬.. ‫ فيه غربه عن العالم‬.. things; a sacrifice of bodily comfort, bodily .. ‫ فيه إنكار ذات‬.. pleasures, and appearances. It has alienation from ‫ أخاف‬.. ‫ إبحث عن صليبك‬.. ‫أيها الحبيب‬ the world; it has voluntary poverty, and self‫أن يكون أختفى تحت أكوام من االهمال‬ denial. .. ‫والكسل والتقصير‬ Beloved, search for your cross; I fear that it has ‫ماذا فعلت بصليبك ؟ هل حملته ؟ هل‬ disappeared under piles of neglect, laziness and .. ‫القيت به ؟ هل أهملته ؟ أخشى أن أقول‬ shortcomings. ‫هل نبذته ؟ هل رفضته ؟؟؟؟‬ What did you do with your cross? Did you carry .. ‫بها‬ ‫وتتمسك‬ ‫هناك أشياء كثيرة تحبها‬ it? Did you throw it? Did you neglect it? I’m .. ‫وشهوات‬ ‫وأفراح‬ ‫فى العالم ملذات‬ terrified to say, did you abandon it? Did you reject ‫الصليب‬ ‫فى‬ ‫ولكن‬ .. ‫مناظر وأضواء‬ it? There are many things that you love and hold ‫أيها‬ ‫ال‬ ‫؟‬ ‫تختار‬ ‫ماذا‬ ‫أبدية‬ ‫نصرة وحياة‬ on to. .. ‫معا‬ ‫االثنين‬ ‫تاخذ‬ ‫آن‬ ‫مستحيل‬ .. ‫الحبيب‬ There are pleasures, joys, and desires in the world; shows and glows. But in the cross there is victory ‫ ال يمكن‬.. ‫ ال أيضا‬.. ‫هذه حسبة خاسرة‬ ‫ فالصليب‬.. ‫أن تاخذ نصفا من هنا ونصفا‬ and eternal life. What would you choose? No, ‫ هذه أيضا حسبة غير سليمة‬.. ‫ال يتجزأ‬ my beloved, it is impossible for you to take the two together. This is a lose lose situation. And no ‫ ال يمكن أن تاخذ العالم أوال‬.. ‫ ال أيضا‬.. ‫ فسلطان العالم لن‬.. ‫ ثم الصليب ثانيا‬.. again, you cannot take half from here and half from there; the cross is indivisible. .. ‫يقبل أبدا أن يتنازل لسلطان الصليب‬


This is also an incorrect scheming; you cannot take the world first then the cross second. The authority of the world will never accept to concede to the authority of the cross. If you let the world dominate you, you will forget the cross. Beloved, count the cost well. The price is very high, it is unbearable loss. It is the loss of your eternal life. Salt is good; you are good and valuable salt. Do not lose its flavour in this world. If you want the Lord Jesus, then come and become His disciple. Only the cross can preserve your good salinity. But if the salt lost its flavour it is not suitable for land or dunghill, rather, it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

+ The Advent Fasting: Thursday 25th November the Advent Fasting started. It continues for 43 days and ends by the Feast of Holy Nativity at 7th January. It is allowed to eat fish during this fasting except on Wednesdays and Fridays and usually we abstain from food until 3pm. For those who got health reasons they can consult their father of confession. The Advent Fasting is a preparation for the Feast of Incarnation of our Lord. We fast 40 days taking an example of the Lord’s Fasting and from Moses Fasting for 40 days before receiving the Law and Commandments. We fast also extra three days in commemoration of the days fasted by people during the time of St Abraam the 62th Pope of Alexandria for the miracle of moving the mountain. The blessed month of Keiahk falls during the Advent days in which we sing and read all about the Incarnation of the Lord. Let us all pursue fasting in humility and repentance and offer our hearts to be holy sanctuary for our Lord the Child of the Manager the Incarnated Lord.

‫إن تركت العالم يتسلط عليك فسوف‬ .. ‫تنسى الصليب‬ ‫ إحسب حساب نفقتك‬.. ‫أيها الحبيب‬ ‫ األمر‬.. ‫ إن الثمن غالى جدا‬.. ‫جيدا‬ ‫ فأى خسارة هى‬.. ‫ال يحتمل الخسارة‬ .. ‫حياتك األبدية‬ ‫ أنت ملح جيد وثمين‬.. ‫إن الملح جيد‬ ‫ اذا كنت‬.. ‫ فال تفسده بهذا العالم‬.. ‫تريد الرب يسوع فتعالى وصر له‬ ‫ إن الصليب والصليب وحده‬.. ‫تلميذا‬ ‫هو الذى يستطيع أن يحفظ فيك‬ ‫ أما إذا فسد الملح‬.. ‫ملوحتك الجيدة‬ ‫ بل‬.. ‫فال يصلح ألرض وال لمزبلة‬ ‫ من له أذنان للسمع‬.. ‫يلقى خارجا‬ .. ‫فليسمع‬

:‫ صوم الميالد المجيد‬+ ‫ نوفمبر يبدأ صوم الميالد‬٢٥ ‫يوم الخميس‬ ‫ يوما وينتهي يوم عيد‬٤٣ ‫المجيد ومدته‬ ‫ وهذا‬.. ‫ يناير القادم‬7 ‫الميالد المجيد‬ ‫الصوم من األصوام التي يسمح فيها بأكل‬ ‫األسماك ماعدا أيام األربعاء والجمعة‬ ‫ويصام فيها انقطاعيا حتى الساعة الثالثة‬ ‫بعد الظهر وفى حاالت المرض يستشار‬ ‫ وصوم الميالد هو أستعداد‬.‫أب االعتراف‬ ‫لعيد التجسد اإللهي الستقبال الرب الكلمة‬ ‫المتجسد ويصام أربعين يوما كمثال‬ ‫صوم الرب األربعيني وكمثال صوم‬ ‫موسى أربعين يوما قبل تسلمه الوصايا‬ ‫والناموس ويصام أيضا ثالثة أيام أضافية‬ ‫كمثال صوم الكنيسة في أيام البابا أبرآم‬ ‫ من أجل أتمام‬62 ‫ابن زرعة البطريرك‬ ‫معجزة نقل الجبل المقطم أيام الخليفة‬ ‫ ويتخلل هذا الصوم أيضا‬.‫المعز الفاطمي‬ ‫شهر كيهك الذي تركز فيه الكنيسة على‬ ‫القراءات الخاصة بقصة تجسد الرب‬ ‫يسوع وتسبح فيه الكنيسة التسابيح الخاصة‬ ‫بالتجسد وبوالدة األله القديسة العذراء مريم‬ ‫ الرب المحب يعطينا بركة هذا الصوم‬.. ‫المقدس فنصومه بطهارة وبر وخشوع‬ ‫ونقدم فيه صوما روحيا ممزوجا بدموع‬ ‫التوبة ومعدين قلوبنا لتكون هيكال مقدسا‬ ‫لطفل المزود الرب المتجسد‬


Holy Baptism Baby Emmanuella baby of Marko & Mary Attia Sunday 21st Nivember 2021 Holy Baptism Baby Luke son of Ramy & Chantelle Hamawy Sunday 21st November 2021

Holy Baptism James son of John & Mariam Hanna Saturday 20th November 2021


Coptic Hope Charity Christmas Hamper Appeal – 2020 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” Luke 2:14 Beloved congregation of the Diocese of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions, As we approach the festive and holy season of Christmas and the Feast of the Glorious Nativity, Coptic Hope Charity is pleased to announce the Christmas Hamper Appeal 2021. With the love and generosity of the Coptic Orthodox congregation, Coptic Hope Charity Christmas Hamper Appeal supports our less fortunate brothers and sisters across the poorest villages and provinces throughout Egypt. Coptic Hope Charity confirms that all donations collected for the Christmas Hamper Appeal is to provide hampers to be distributed amongst as many families as possible, including the 624 families in our Family to Family program. Your gift of $50 for each Christmas Hamper will provide; Meat, rice, flour, butter, milk, and sugar etc to make celebrating Christmas a special time for our less fortunate brothers and sisters. To contribute to Coptic Hope Charity Christmas Hamper Appeal or assist with ongoing support please donate with reference “Christmas Hamper Appeal” to the following bank account or via our PayPal account at www.coptichope.org.au Account Name: Coptic Hope Charity Limited ATF BSB: 063-159 Account Name: 10686722 Tax deductible receipts for all donations above $2 will be issued upon receipt. All funds raised by Coptic Hope Charity are for the sole purposes of the services provided by Coptic Hope Charity to serve the poor and in need. On behalf of Coptic Hope Charity, we would like to thank you for your love, generosity, and support. For further information please call Nagy Banoub on 0423 411 715 or email: info@ coptichope.org.au

VISIT PROGRAM OF HIS GRACE BISHOP DANIEL Bishop of St Shenouda Monastery – Sydney Thu 25 Nov 21 – Mon 29 Nov 21 Thursday 25/11Arrive Melb 2:35pm Friday 26/11 Liturgy St Beshoy Church 9am Combined Youth Meeting - St Verena Church - Eporo tower 7pm Saturday 27/11 Liturgy at St George’s church - Ordniation of new priest 9am Vespers at St Mark Church 6pm Sunday 28/11 Liturgy at St Mina & ST Marina Hallam 9am Group Meeting 6pm Monday 29/11Depart to Sydney 2pm

‫برنامج زيارة نيافة األنبا دانيال‬ ‫أسقف دير األنبا شنودة بسيدىن‬ ‫ نوفمرب‬٢٩ ‫ األحد‬- ‫ نوفمرب‬٢٥ ‫الخميس‬ ‫ بعد الظهر‬٢:٣٥ ‫ الوصول مللبورن‬:‫ نوفمرب‬٢٥ ‫الخميس‬ ‫ القداس األلهى‬: ‫ نوفمرب‬٢٦ ‫الجمعة‬ ‫ صباحا‬٩ ‫بكنيسة األنبا بيشوى‬ ‫ كنيسة‬- ‫أجتامع مشرتك للشباب‬ ‫ مساء‬٧ ‫ أبؤورو تور‬- ‫القديس فريينا‬ ‫ القداس األلهى‬:‫ نوفمرب‬٢٧ ‫السبت‬ ‫بكنيسة القديس مارجس ورسامة أب‬ ‫كاهن‬ ‫ القداس األلهى‬:‫ نوفمرب‬٢٩ ‫األحد‬ ‫بكنيسة مارمينا والقديسة مارينا بهامل‬ ‫ صباحا‬٩ ‫ مساء‬٦ ‫أجتامع الساعة‬ ‫ نوفمرب السفر لسيدىن الساعة‬٢٩ ‫األثنني‬ ‫ بعد الظهر‬٢


Blessed Marriage Andrew Farag & Naya Mourad Sunday 21st November 2021 St. George’s Church

Blessed Marriage Remon Abdelmaseh & Theresa Mikhail Saturday 20th November 2021 St Mary’s Church


Blessed Marriage Reda Mekhael & Rosetta Morcos Sunday 21st November 2021 St Mary’s Church

Holy Baptism Harry Paul son of Andrew & Jessica Jones Saturday 20th November 2021


Estimated cost for the project 10 - 11 million Dollars Donations collected and funds available from church income is 3.6 million Dollars Donation Accounts are listed below

Donations to St Mary›s Church and Building project can be made by the following Link ‫للتبرعات لكنيسة العذراء مريم ومشروع المبانى أضغط على الرابط‬ https://www.stmc.org.au/donate (Copy & Paste on Web Browser) Special Thanks for all who keep working tirelessly for the success of this project. May the Lord reward them all and bless all their works


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