Weekly Bulletin 2nd October 2022

Services at St Mary’s

Church

Monday: Mass 9 - 11 am

Tuesday

Liturgy 5:30 - 7am

8am The Way Orthodox Fellowship in Englisg for adults - All ages

Wednesday: Mass 9 – 11 am

6:30-8pm School of Deacons Adults

Arabic ; 7-8:15pm English (Zoom)

Hymns Class Arabic 8-9pm (Zoom)

Thursday

Mass 9 - 11 am - English

English Midnight Praises 7:30pm

English Bible Study 7:30pm

Friday: Mass Mass 9 – 11 am

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 – 11am

Sunday School 4 – 5.30pm

Vespers & youth meeting 7-8:30pm

English

Vespers &Bible Study Arabic 5:307pm

Scouts 1:30 - 3pm

School of Deaconsgip 3 - 4pm

Sunday:

1st Mass6 - .7:45am Arabic & English

2nd Mass.7:45 – .9:30am English

3rd Mass 9:30 - 11:15am Arabic

Hymns Class - English 11:4512:30pm

Church Priests:

Fr Tadros Sharobeam 0414251251

Email: frtadros@me.com

Fr Habib Girgis Younan: 0401238177 – 94498871

Email:

2nd October - 22nd Tote

On this day, Saints Cotylas (Kobtlas) and his sister Axoua, the children of Sapor, King of Persia, and Cotylas’ friend, Tatas, were martyred. Sapor worshipped fire and the sun. He inflict ed many tortures on the believers, and no man throughout the country dared to mention the Name of Christ. His son, Cotylas, had a friend named Tatas who was a ruler over the country of Maydasayeen.

Certain people laid an accusation against Tatas before the king that he was a Christian. The king sent to him a governor named Tumakher to verify the validity of what was said and if it was true, to torture him. When Cotylas, the son of the king, heard that, he also went to that country, to his friend Tatas. When the governor arrived and found that he was Christian, he ordered his men to cast him in a furnace. St. Tatas made the sign of the Cross over the fire and the fire died out. Cotylas marvelled and asked him, “How did you learn this magic, 0 my brother?” He replied, “This is not magic but it is through faith in the Lord Christ.” Cotylas asked, “If I believed, would I be able to do the same?” Tatas answered that with faith you can do more than this. Cotylas, the son of the king, believed in Christ, then he drew near the fire and made the sign of the Cross over it, the fire backed a distance of 12 cubits.

The governor sent to the king to inform him what had hap pened, and the king had them brought to him. He ordered to cut off the head of Tatas who thus received the crown of martyrdom. However, he tortured his son, Cotylas, with different kinds of tortures. He cast him in prison and sent for his sister Axoua, so she might persuade him to return to his father’s belief. St. Cotylas preached her and turned her heart to the belief in the Lord Christ. He sent her to a priest who baptized her secretly.

She returned to her father saying, “I wish that you had what my brother and I have, for there is no God but Jesus Christ.” The king became angry and commanded to torture her, until she yielded up her soul in the hand of the Lord Christ.

They tied Cotylas to the tails of horses and dragged him over the mountains until he yielded up his spirit. Then they cut his body into pieces and they cast it out for the birds to consume it. When the soldiers departed, the Lord commanded saintly priests and deacons who went secretly at night and took the holy body which was shining as snow. They hid it in a place until the end of the days of persecution.

Their intercession be for us all. Amen.

The Martyrdom of Saints Cotylas (Kobtlas) and Axoua, his Sister, and Tatas, his Friend.

2nd October - 22nd Tote

On this day, Saints Cotylas (Kobtlas) and his sister Axoua, the children of Sapor, King of Persia, and Cotylas’ friend, Tatas, were martyred. Sapor worshipped fire and the sun. He inflict ed many tortures on the believers, and no man throughout the country dared to mention the Name of Christ. His son, Cotylas, had a friend named Tatas who was a ruler over the country of Maydasayeen.

The Martyrdom of Saints Cotylas (Kobtlas) and Axoua, his Sister, and Tatas, his Friend.

Certain people laid an accusation against Tatas before the king that he was a Christian. The king sent to him a governor named Tumakher to verify the validity of what was said and if it was true, to torture him. When Cotylas, the son of the king, heard that, he also went to that country, to his friend Tatas. When the governor arrived and found that he was Christian, he ordered his men to cast him in a furnace. St. Tatas made the sign of the Cross over the fire and the fire died out. Cotylas marvelled and asked him, “How did you learn this magic, 0 my brother?” He replied, “This is not magic but it is through faith in the Lord Christ.” Cotylas asked, “If I believed, would I be able to do the same?” Tatas answered that with faith you can do more than this. Cotylas, the son of the king, believed in Christ, then he drew near the fire and made the sign of the Cross over it, the fire backed a distance of 12 cubits.

The governor sent to the king to inform him what had happened, and the king had them brought to him. He ordered to cut off the head of Tatas who thus received the crown of martyrdom. However, he tortured his son, Cotylas, with different kinds of tortures. He cast him in prison and sent for his sister Axoua, so she might persuade him to return to his father’s belief. St. Cot ylas preached her and turned her heart to the belief in the Lord Christ. He sent her to a priest who baptized her secretly. She returned to her father saying, “I wish that you had what my brother and I have, for there is no God but Jesus Christ.” The king became angry and commanded to torture her, until she yielded up her soul in the hand of the Lord Christ. They tied Cotylas to the tails of horses and dragged him over the mountains until he yielded up his spirit. Then they cut his body into pieces and they cast it out for the birds to consume it. When the soldiers departed, the Lord commanded saintly priests and deacons who went secretly at night and took the holy body which was shining as snow. They hid it in a place until the end of the days of persecution. Their intercession be for us all. Amen.

The Departure of Jonah, the Great Prophet 5th October - 25th Tote

On this day, the great prophet Jonah, the son of Amittai, departed. It was said that he was the son of the widow of Zar-e-phath whom Elijah the Prophet had raised from the dead. Jonah fol lowed Elijah, served him and received the grace of prophesying. God inspired him to go to the city of Nineveh to admonish its people and to warn them that after three days the city shall be overthrown. Jonah pondered in his heart saying, “If God wished to destroy them He would not forewarn them. I fear that if I go to them and convey to them this warning, they might repent and God would not destroy them. I would be a liar and no one will listen to me and probably may be get killed because I conveyed to them a false message from God. So I will arise and flee.”

What did this prophet think of? How could anyone flee from the face of God? By escaping, he wanted to get away from the city of Nineveh. He did not want to admonish them knowing that God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and repentant of the evil. He thought that by staying away from Nineveh the Lord would send another prophet to preach to this city.

The escape of Jonah the Prophet, and his having been cast into

the sea are to make manifest the miracle of his remaining in the belly of the whale for three days and then coming out safely. This was a symbol of, and evidence for, the resurrection of our Savior from the sepulcher, unchanged, after three days.

Jonah rose up to flee from the presence of the Lord and went down to Joppa; he found a ship going to Tarshish and sailed on it. The Lord sent out a great wind and there was a mighty tempest in the sea and the ship was about to break. The people were all afraid, and cried every man to his god. They said everyone to his fellow, “Come and let us cast lots, that we may know because of whom this evil has befallen us.” And when they had cast lots, it fell upon Jonah. They said to him, “What have you done that brought such an affliction on us?” He replied, “Cast me in the sea and you shall be saved.” They begged the Lord’s pardon, then they cast him into the sea, and a great whale swallowed him. He remained in its belly for three days and three nights and then he was cast out on the seashore.

He rose up straightaway and came into Nineveh. He preached to its people and they all repented: The King, the nobles, and the poor, the old and the young. They all cried to God with fasting and everyone turned from his way and the Lord accepted their repentance and had mercy upon them. Jonah returned to the land of Israel and died there. He was more than 900 years before the advent of the Lord Christ. He prophesied in the days of Amos and his son Hosea. He lived nearly 100 years, out of which he prophesied more than 70 years.

His prayers be with us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.

The Angels’ Annunciation of John the Baptist to Zacharias 6th October - 26th Tote

On this day it was announced to Zacharias, the priest, the birth of John the Baptist. Zacharias was well advanced in years and his wife, Elizabeth, was barren and her time for begetting children had passed.

Zacharias was praying and beseeching God persistently to give him a child because the children of Israel reviled anyone without a son and treated him with ignominy. They would say about him that he was without the blessing that God had told Adam in these words: “Be fruitful and multiply.”

The Lord had compassion on him and He hearkened to his petition. He sent him Gabriel the Angel to announce to him the birth of John. The angel came to him while he was in the sanctuary, as it is mentioned in the Holy Gospel (Luke 1:11), and announced to him the birth of the great prophet John, and that he should precede the Christ as it was said by the prophets, “He shall go before Him.” He asked the angel, “Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well advanced in years.” The angel told him that he was sent from God to announce that to him and it is not seemly for him to doubt. He then told him that he shall be dumb till the birth of the child. On the day of John’s circumcision, they asked him about the child’s name. He asked for a tablet and wrote on it John and straightaway his mouth opened. Then he spoke and

praised God and prophesied concerning his son John and the Lord Christ. He prophesied about his son that he would be a prophet and he should go before the face of the Lord. The prayers of this priest be with us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.

The Martyrdom of Saints Abadir (Apater) and Eraee (Herai), His Sister 8th October – 28th Thout

On this day, Sts. Abadir (Apater) and Eraee (Herai), his sister, the children of Wasilides, the minister of Antioch, were martyred. Abadir was appointed Esfeh-selar (a high ranking governmental po sition) in his father’s position. He had a room wherein he prayed and the Lord Christ appeared to him in the middle of the night and told him: “Rise up and take your sister Eraee, and go to Egypt to receive the crown of martyrdom and I will instruct a man whose name is Samuel to take care of your bodies and prepare them for burial.” He bid him peace then went up into heaven. This vision was seen by his sister also, in which she was told, “Hearken to your brother and do not transgress his command.” When she woke up, she trembled, and she went to her brother and told him about the vision, declaring that she would not disobey him. They vowed to each other to go and shed their blood in the Name of the Lord Christ.

When his mother knew that, she and her handmaidens rent their garments, and came to St. Abadir. His mother pleaded with him not to become a martyr. He promised her that he would not go forward to Diocletian seeking martyrdom. Her heart was soothed, not knowing his intention of going somewhere else to become a martyr.

Every night he used to change his apparel and go disguised to give water to the prisoners and minister to them all night, and he asked the door-keeper not to tell anyone.

Later on, he saw a vision to remind him of travelling. He took his sister and went to Alexandria, then they came to Cairo. They met St. Abekragon who recognized them and blessed them. From there they came to Tomwah where they entered the church and prayed in it. Then, they went to El-Ashmunin where they met with Samuel the deacon. The following day Samuel went with them to Ansena, and they confessed our Lord Christ before Arianus the governor, who tortured them severely. Meanwhile, Saint Abadir prayed and entreat ed God to strengthen his faith and the faith of his sister Eraee. The Lord took their souls and carried them up to the heavenly Jerusalem and they saw the eminent ranks and the luminous habitations of the righteous; then he brought them back to their bodies. The governor wrote their decree and then adjured Abadir by his God to tell him his name and who he was. The saint replied, “Swear to me that you shall not change what you have decreed,” and when the governor swore to him, he said, “I am Abadir El-Esfeh-selar.” The governor cried out, saying, “Woe to me, 0 my Lord why did you not let me know that you are my Lord and let me go so far as to condemn you to all these severe tortures?” The saint replied, “Fear not, for you are about to receive the crown of martyrdom. The emperor will seek me and will not find me, and he will hear that you have killed me. Then he will call you, torture you and you will die in the Name of our Lord Christ. And now hasten to finish us.” Straightaway the governor ordered that their heads be cut off. The believers wrapped up their bodies in fine apparels and Samuel the deacon took them to his house until the days of persecution were ended and a great church was built for them. Their intercession be for us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen

Meditations on the Bible readings of 3rd Sunday of Tote Luke 19: 1-10

And he sought to see who Jesus was Luke 19: 3. Man who falls into sin and takes a lenient attitude to wards sin, then repeats his or her sin many times … and each time, he or she would feel separation from God … wishing to return (to God) and repent … but would delay his or her return till such time when he or she is bet ter! … but it even some times, one would delay or stop prayers, fasting and attending church with the excuse that one is not ready … and the more one gets involved with sin, the more Satan makes the delay even stronger … and separation from God … just like an ill person who feels the disease taking over his or her body and delays seeing a physician till the person is in a better health! … and Satan will continue to fight this person and the way to repentance becomes the more harder, even to the com plete despair and blocking the way to safety (of repent ance) and the end is full destruction … this person does not know that our loving God is waiting for him or her … but even God is inviting him or her (to repent) … but even longs to hear his or her voice and see them … but God is seeking them and knocking on their door … He (God) wants them to return, repent and live … God will not force them to return … God will not impose repentance on them without their will … for God who created mankind with a free will and, alert mind will only open the door for repentance before them but will not impose repentance on them.

If this sinner knew how God suffers for his separation … if he only knew how heavens rejoice with the repentance of only one sinner … indeed our God loves the sinners and tax collectors … He (God) wants all people to be saved and to the truth come and abide … because of this the Lord was gladdened with Zacchaeus’ desire to see Him … He entered his house … and led him to repent ance.

Zacchaeus was a sinful man … all knew this about him … but he had a good trait above other sinners … he sought to see Jesus … he was willing to hear the call and immediately and conform to the call … he wanted to be a new man.

+ he sought to see … Jesus. No matter how sinful is a person … still in his or her heart is yearning for the life of righteousness … no matter how dark his or her heart is … still there is a slight light within … and this slight light and hidden yearning compel one to seek a way of repentance and return (to God) … when a sinner starts searching for the source of this light within in his life … the desire and yearning increases and becomes a holy yearning within his heart … many sinners have repented after falling to the bottom of the abyss of sin … just because the accepted the need and desire hidden in their hearts.

The sinful woman … came in meekness and shame under

the Lord Jesus Christ’s feet … her heart was fervent for repentance but she did not know hoe to express this desire )for repentance( … maybe she found diffi) ( cult to ask for forgiveness … all she could do, is cry … washing the Lord Jesus’s feet with her tears and anoint it with perfume and dry it with her hair … a sinful woman … but she loveda lot deeply … and for this her many sins were forgiven. The thief on the right (on the cross) … all his life was a thief in the wilderness of Jerusalem … a criminal and a murderer … but he had a desire to see Jesus … and this desire stayed in his heart to the cross … and when he saw Him (Jesus) … he felt the Mercy of God and His love fill his heart … he felt his cold heart which is dry and harsh, has been filled by the rays of God’s love through this small window of yearning for repentance … he saw Him (the Lord) and forgot him self and witnessed that He is righteous while he was thief deserving his punishment … he cried out with tongue and from the heart “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

St Mary the Egyptian … was a very sinful woman … who has fallen to the worse type of sins … one day, she found a ship bound to Jerusalem so she went aboard among all the other passengers to visit the Holy places, may she can fulfil her sinful desires and indulge in physical pleasures with them … there in Jerusalem among the crowds, she tried to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the celebration, she was barred from doing so by an unseen force. Realizing that this was because of her impurity, she was struck with remorse … she went outside and cried bitterly with many tears feeling the weight of her sins … slowly she felt the heavy weight upon her shoul ders, gradually reducing and eventually she could entre the church to the Holy Sepulchre (the Tomb of Christ), she entered kissing the tomb and shedding many tears, then she went to the wilderness of Jordan where she dedicated herself to live with God … she stayed for many years not seeing any humans till she met St Zosimas the priest at the end of her life and he written her holy story.

St Anba Moses the black (the strong) … despite he was thief and a highway robber but his heart was yearning to know God … he sought Him (God) in everything around him … but he did not find Him … he used to call on the sun saying; if you were the gods let me know … at last, God led him to the monks of the desert of Skete and St Isidorus the priest who taught him the right way … St Moses the black offered a true repentance and became a great saint and father to many monks in the deserts. Maybe, you are a sinful person too … maybe you are hesitant and think that you are not deserving to see the Lord Jesus … but He truly wants to see you … come

today … seek Him … come up the sycamore tree … put people’s talk behind you … overcome all the obstacles that Satan puts in your way … the obstacle of the time is not right now … or I am not deserving … or too many sins … or your reputation and acts which is known by all … He will come by and see you surely.

+ he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.

Many will go as far as the sycamore tree … and there find hard to climb the tree … and some will suffice with watching it … just a watcher spending some time on top of the sycamore tree … hears the Lord calling him … looks at Him … who is calling him … but no attention … how many who heard similar call to the one given to Zacchaeus but they did not move from their place (on the tree).

Cain has heard the voice of God saying “ If you do what is right,will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door” (Genesis 4:7) … but he did not listen or repent and continued in his sin until he killed his brother and destroyed himself.

King Saul heard the voice many times … he heard it from the mouth of Samuel (the prophet) who repuked him for not carrying Gods instruction to destroy Amalekites … he heard it again from the mouth of Davis who Saul tried to kill him but Saul fell in David’s hand twice and every time David would say how can I stretch my hand and harm God’s anointed … but Saul continued in his sins and disobeying till he was destroyed.

Climbing the sycamore tree in its self is a good act … it is feeling the love and the yearning to see the Lord Jesus … despite climbing the sycamore tree is hard and coming down from the tree is easy … but in reality coming down is much harder … many have climbed the sycamore tree but they did not come down … many come to church as spectators watching a play … many who attend on occasions as specta tors … just for cordiality and watching … indeed it is a blessed event to attend church … but hearing the voice of God … make haste and come down … and fulfilling this call is the more important and beneficial … the crowds were around the Lord Jesus … and a woman who was subject to bleeding came and touched the edge of His cloak with faith that if she touched the edge of His cloak, she will be healed … and Lord Jesus turned around and asked who has touched Me?? Because He felt a power departed from Him … huge crowed … and the multitudes are pushing Him from every direction but not like the touch of this woman … it is a touch of faith which delivered to her the power of healing … ther are many spectators … but how many come to touch and

take the power (of healing) …. There were thousands of spectators but very few of true followers … the sermon on the mount was attended by more than 5000 thousands excluding the women and children … they all heard the greatest and most powerful teaching in history of man kind … the attested that He teaches them with authority not like the scribes … they saw and witnessed great miracles exceeds all descriptions … how many of them followed the Lord and believed in Him?? Many of them stood later screaming “crucify Him … crucify Him… His blood is upon us and our children … + Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor..

In great joy … in a much happiness which is indescrib able … as one who found many treasures … salvation entered his house … the world was belittled in his eyes and became worth nothing … he became a new person … and he portrayed his joy with a true repentance … not just in words … but with action too … he gave half his money to the poor … even though according to the law, he only has to give the tithe (tenth) only … he promised to compensate anyone he took from him by false accusa tions four folds … despite according to the law he has to compensate only twice.

It is the love of God … the Love of the Lord Jesus when it enters man’s heart will transcend him above the limits of the law … transcend above the physical law of the body … to the law of spirituality … transcends one from the limit of being literal which can kill … to the love which give life and offers the 2nd mile (to walk) … to give the outer garment with the tunic … no repentance without giving … no salvation without suffering … repentance is not just words … salvation is not mere tra ditions or appearance we practice and live in … but it is a life of giving all we have to God … and sacrifice with all that becomes an obstacle on the way ..

The love of money was the obstacle for Zacchaeus … he offered it willing with great joy and happiness … thus he destroyed the lust of false richness within him … do you too, sacrifice these obstacles which stand in the way of your repentance?? Maybe these obstacles are physical lusts which you have loved … or the love of showing off and fashion … or love of parties and places of pleasures … or unsuitable habits …. Such as drinking of alcohol and smoking … or un-righteous friends who would waste your time in un-spiritual talks and unbecoming ac tions … the measure of repentance is how much will you sacrifice and leave behind … and what ever you leave behind for the Lord Jesus Christ, God will compensate you with much better and more precious … will com pensate you withtrue peace in your heart and home … and reward you by witnessing the glories of heavens and the saints … and will reward you with absolute salvation from all Satan’s ties and will say to you joyfully .. Today salvation has come to this house

Question: “Who was Zacchaeus in the Bible?”

Answer: Zacchaeus in the Bible was a man whose life-changing encounter with Jesus was recorded by Luke (Luke 19:1–10). Zacchaeus was one of the head tax collectors in the region of Jericho, and the Bible says he was a rich man. Jewish tax collectors like Zacchaeus were scorned by their countrymen for a couple of reasons: one, they were known for cheating the taxpayers; and, two, they worked for Rome. The other Jews saw Jewish tax collectors as collaborators with the enemy—traitors to their own people.

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus as the Lord passed through town, but, because Zacchaeus was a short man, he could not see over the thronging crowd. Knowing that Jesus would pass by a certain sycamore tree, Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed the tree, figuring he could see Jesus passing below. This action is interesting. First, Zacchaeus did not think himself important enough for Jesus to notice. Second, he wanted to see Jesus anyway. Like an eager fan going to extreme measures to catch a glimpse of a movie star who he knows will not notice him, Zacchaeus climbs a tree just to get a glimpse of Jesus passing by. To the complete astonishment of Zacchaeus and the crowd, Jesus stopped under the tree, looked up, and said, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”

Zacchaeus was overjoyed, but the crowd grumbled because Zacchaeus was a tax collector, and they could not understand why Jesus would choose to asso ciate with such a man—a “sinner” as they called him (Luke 19:7). Zacchaeus, however, was so affected by the incident that he stood up and declared, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount” (verse 8). Jesus happily proclaimed that salvation had come to Zacchaeus’ house, and that even the tax collector was now “a son of Abraham” (verse 9)—a reference to Zacchaeus’ faith because those who have the faith of Abraham can truly be called the sons of Abraham (Galatians 3:7). Then Jesus responded to those who had murmured against Him, saying, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). As Jesus said elsewhere, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Matthew 9:12).

Zacchaeus

Smith›s Bible Dictionary (pure), a tax-collector near Jericho, who, being short in stature climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to obtain a sight of Jesus as he passed through that place. (Luke 19:1-10) Zacchaeus was a Jew, as may be inferred from his name and from the fact that the Saviour speaks of him expressly as «a son of Abra ham.« The term which designates his office -«the chief among the publicans« -is unusual, but describes him, no doubt, as the superintendent of customs or tribute in the district of Jericho, where he lived. The office must have been a lucrative one in such a region, and it is not strange that Zacchaeus is mentioned by the evangelists as a rich man. The Saviour spent the night probably in the

house of Zacchaeus, and the next day pursued his journey. He was in the caravan from Galilee which was going to Jerusalem to keep the Passover.

Easton›s Bible Dictionary

Pure, a superintendant of customs; a chief tax-gather (publicanus) at Jericho (Luke 19:1-10). «The collection of customs at Jericho, which at this time produced and exported a considerable quantity of balsam, was undoubtedly an important post, and would account for Zacchaeus being a rich man.« Being short of stature, he hastened on before the multitude who were thronging about Christ as he passed through Jericho on his way to Jerusalem, and climbed up a sycamore tree that he might be able to see him. When our Lord reached the spot he looked up to the publican among the branches, and addressing him by name, told him to make haste and come down, as he intended that day to abide at his house. This led to the remarkable interview recorded by the evangelist, and to the striking parable of the ten pounds (Luke 19:12-27). At Er-riha (Jericho) there is a large, venerable looking square tower, which goes by the traditional name of the House of Zacchaeus.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ZACCHAEUS

za-ke›-us )Zakchaios, from zakkay, »pure«(: (1) A publican with whom Jesus lodged during His stay in Jericho (Luke 19:110). He is not mentioned in the other Gospels. Being a chief publican, or over seer, among the tax-gatherers, Zaccheus had additional opportunity, by farming the taxes, of increasing that wealth for which his class was famous. Yet his mind was not entirely engrossed by material considerations, for he joined the throng which gathered to see Jesus on His entrance into the city. Of little stature, he was unable either to see over or to make his way through the press, and therefore scaled a sycomore tree. There he was singled out by Jesus, who said to him, «Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house« )Luke 19:5(. The offer thus frankly made by Jesus was accepted eagerly and gladly by Zaccheus; and the murmurings of the crowd marred the happiness of neither. How completely the new birth was accomplished in Zaccheus is testified by his vow to give half of his goods to the poor, and to make fourfold restitution where he had wrongfully exacted. The incident reveals the Christian truth that just as the publican Zaccheus was regarded by the rest of the Jews as a sinner and renegade who was unworthy to be numbered among the sons of Abraham, and was yet chosen by our Lord to be His host, so the social outcast of modern life is still a son of God, within whose heart the spirit of Christ is longing to make its abode. «For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost« )Luke 19:10(.

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40th Day Commemoration:

40th Day Commemoration will be held at St Mary’s Church next Sunday 16th October at the second Mass 7:46 - 9:30am for Late Engineer Edward Mittias Mansour departed on 1st of September 2022 in Canada, the husband of Late Naema Mansour, father of Professor Sam Mansour and his wife Joanne Mansour (U.S.A.). He is brother of Late Professor William Mansour husband of Yvonne Mansour (Canada), Mrs Edith El-masry wife of Late Saad El-masry, Late Engineer Edmond Mansour and wife Salwa Mansour, Late Mr Adib Mansour and wife Nabila Mansour, Engineer Evelyn Mikhail wife of Mr Farouk Mikhail, Engineer Adolf Mansour husband of Helen Mansour.

May the Lord repose his soul and grant peace and comfort for all family members.

New Born

Baby Selena daughter of Andrew and Meray Shehata

Construction of New Buildings started Thursday 28th April

The new Building is expected to be ready within 12 months. church services are continuing as normal as in the Timetable inside the Bulletin. You can donate monthly contribution using Direct Debit forms available in the church or downladed from church website. Cost of building works is around $12,000000. Your support and donations will be blessing and very appreaciated.