The Lord has bought us with His blood on the cross, so we have become His own people after he overcome the kingdom of Satan. Pope Shenouda III, in his article Christ is King , explained to us that God owned us since the beginning of the creation, but in sin we have separated from his kingdom. Therefore, death reigned over us till Jesus saved us from death and the kingdom of Satan.

Deir Al Ahbash (or the monastery of the Ethiopians) is one of the oldest monasteries in Wadi Al Natroun. It is located in the south-west of the Armenian monastery and south-east of the monastery of St. Abanoub or Nubia. To its west, lies the monastery of Yhans (Kama) Al-Qusair. The monastery, which is about 3,300 square meters, has been called several names, such as Deir al-Ahbash or Deir al-Habash, or the Monastery of Elijah the Prophet or the monastery of St. Elias. The monastery is mentioned in the book of the work of the Holy Chrism at the time of Pope Benjamin II, Patriarch No. 82 (1327-1339).

In a statement this morning, the Australian-Egyptian journalist and political commentator, Ashraf Helmy, congratulated the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces, General Sedki Sobhy , the Minister of Defense, and the Egyptian people of all sects on the occasion of Sinai Liberation Day. Sinai is currently witnessing a war against terror led by the extreme terrorist organisations (ISIS) which are supported by some Arab countries. Several hundred have fallen from the army, police and hundreds of civilians.

We saw that young people were the fuel of the Arab Spring revolutions including the revolutions of January 25 and June 30. They indeed saved Egypt from the tyranny and corruption of the Mubarak regime and its allies and their acquisition of the Egyptian economy and the domination of businessmen who were members of the National Party over all companies and factories. They led the sale and privatization of the public sector. Those young people made a great mistake by leavening the Muslim Brotherhood dominate the revolution until they managed to dominate the Egyptian state and turn it into an Islamic Caliphate. Moreover, this mistake was repeated with the current president as the youth left the political businessmen and hypocrites to take over and almost turned the current president into a dictator.

No to demolish the antiquarian church of St. Mary in Luxor since it stands out there for more than 100 years. There must be a way to avoid its demolition even though it is next to the antiquarian way of the rams. Part of the church was demolished before the revolution of January 25 provided that the rest of the church won t be demolished. I believe the officials don t realize what is going on around them and how serious effect could it has on the Egyptians who has offered their homeland a lot for the sake of Egypt. We believe that the road was moved 11 meters to tough the church building leading to its demolition.

The love of our crucified God Jesus Christ makes him transcend our weaknesses like his disciples at the time of his crucifixion as well as those who crucified him. His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, in his article The Hour of the Cross, the Hour of Love , explained to us many of the pictures of God s love for man at the time of his death on the cross.

The Holy Bible is the best way to satisfy the needs of contemporary human beings, especially the need to have a reference in all aspects of our life. This was mentioned by HG Bishop Moses, the Bishop of Youth, in his article faith in God and the human mind . He talked about such reference offered by the Bible. People were religious in the era of agriculture as they believed in God.

As if they see it for the first time, they tried to start a battle without land or warriors. They wanted to drag us into one of the battles of the fourth generation wars to disrupt the elections, which divided them into two parts: The first when they threatened to target the election committees, but the Egyptians were not intimidated and went to the polls to celebrate. During the elections, they gave figures that were not true about the percentages of participation at the presidential ballot, although the national electoral body didn t announce any figures during the voting process. They also wanted to drag us to side battles in order to spoil the joy of the elections, especially for the great women of Egypt, who came out to celebrate at the ballot boxes. Those women danced to express their happiness at the loss of those who wanted to violate their bodies from the radical terrorist groups and wanted to keep them in the house, and wanted their bodies to be only a pot of lust in violation of all religions.

As there is a temporary homeland and a permanent heavenly home, we must pass the first faithfully until we reach the eternal one. Thus, Pope was not wrong when he said that the homeland comes before the church as it is a written commandment to give what belongs to Caesar to Caesar. The Islamists commit a big mistake when they underestimate the homeland and consider their religion a homeland. This can t happen as the homeland is the place where we are born, educated, work, inhabit and die. Yet, religion can t do this to us to be considered a homeland. Giving what belongs to Caesar to Caesar has a deep philosophy as it advocates the civil state and distinguish between the city of God and the earthly city.

The Egyptian presidential elections have started, which I call the most important event currently in Egypt. The importance of this event also comes from the strategic importance of Egypt in the region and its great history and civilization. Such elections reflect the civilization of the Egyptian people which was seen as well in the previous elections. Therefore, all Egyptians should continue their efforts to change their future by participation in the elections which is their right as well as their national duty.

Prayer is the main goal of fasting that works basically with other virtues and increases the gain of all other virtues. His Grace Abba Benjamin, Bishop of Menofia, wrote in his article prayer in the words of the holy fathers about the importance of prayer as explained by fathers of the church. Among their sayings the patience in prayer generates stability in front of the wars of prayer which means that prayers helps human to overcome spiritual wars that aims to stop man from continue praying. Moreover, it can lead man to a life of joy, thanks giving and peace.

For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord s. (Romans 14: 8) This was said by apostle Paul who explained that the benefit of existence in this life is o serve God and evangelism. This was explained by Abba Bishoy, Bishop of Kafr El-Sheikh, in his article For if we live, we live to the Lord . Bishop Bishoy said that St. Paul was very concerned with preaching of the Gospel in all ways and everywhere till his martyrdom. His great ministry was a proof of his love to God, and this ministry didn t stop by his martyrdom as he continues to pray for us in heaven.

God bless the soul of Saint Archidacon Habib Girgis, founder of Sunday schools and the modern seminary College. He was a deacon who wasn t seen throughout his life wearing the clerical garment though he was a great saint and professor. This is the opposite of what few deacons did in the Diaspora. The new deacons are priesthood dreamers who admire appearing with the bishops, but grew their beards and put the clerical garments on. Their appearance confuses the children who kiss their hands thinking they are priests.

Spiritual insensitivity may affect many believers and perhaps servants who are linked to the church. Thus, we may need to take care of our Spiritual vigilance in order not to lose our eternal life. Abba Pachomious, former acting Patirarch, talked in his article entitle Spiritual vigilance about losing such vigilance. The first reason is the constant preoccupation with work, media, and problems. The various social networking sites may add to addiction or preoccupation with friends without spending with God in prayer and service.

All men are in dire need to the active word of God that enlightens the way and brings peace for our souls For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. This word of God is the only way to get rid of sin and to hear the voice of God. Abba Moussa, Bishop of the youth, said in his article entitled The Bible and contemporary man that the Bible meets the needs of contemporary man of knowledge, reference, salvation and immortality since man needs to know how to live in fear of God and distinguish between the light and darkness, and between right and wrong. Your word I have hidden in my heart That I might not sin against You. (Psalm 119)

People may suffer from despair and frustration that leads them to surrender. This could be because of unachieved goals in our lives. However, God will not leave us alone, but will grant us supernatural blessings to help us in the way. Father Peyman El Tahawy, priest of the Church of St. George in Minya, wrote in his article ‘Surrender and Acceptance of Reality’, assured that a person who is full of the grace of our Lord does not know the spirit of failure and surrender, no matter how difficult his life may be. Faithful people start over and never stop by their temporary failure. We remember the prophet Elijah when he felt a great sense of frustration and despair did not see the benefit of continuing his efforts to return the people to the Lord. He was full of negative thoughts, but God didn’t leave him alone.

So you have heard that it was said to the people long ago..., but I say to you... Jesus Christ cared about teaching the people, and therefore, he was usually addressed as Teacher . Pope Shenouda III in his article Christ the Teacher explained how Jesus Christ cared much about teaching and fixing wrong ideas among Jewish people. For example, they sanctified the Sabbath that they refused even doing good things. Thus, he made several miracles in the Sabbath to teach them that it is permissible to do good In the Sabbath. Jesus was teaching everywhere and at all times, and he didn t have a fixed place to teach. He was very popular and people crowded around him since he had a profound influence on their souls. People were astonished by his teaching. Moreover, Jesus asked his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20) He even gave new teachings to love one s enemies and pray for those who persecute them.

A presidential amnesty was issued on January 25, 2018 by president Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, but there is a number of Copts whose names were not included in that list. The first name is Gergis Baroumi who was accused of raping a girl from Farshout, but the medical report confirmed that the girl was not raped and that the accused suffers from a lack of sexual ability!

Those who study the political scene in Egypt find an absence of a political reason, especially concerning the choices of candidates of the parliamentary elections. The candidates during the previous elections didn t have election program or objectivity. Unfortunately, this randomness appeared clearly in several meetings in the Council that were held to discuss important laws as the political education starts at the parties, which have disappeared long time ago. The parties now can only fight over elections without having a political vision.

When do the series of assaults on the Copts come to an end? I mean those assaults where the assailants are never punished and the Copts have to pay for some forms of intolerance, ignorance, deterioration of education, widespread illiteracy, and hatred of the others. Some Copts were attacked in the village of Dawar, Behira governorate as one Coptic worker decided to claim his right after he did some work worth 300 EGP! The Muslim party claimed the Coptic worker has harassed his wife and therefore houses of several Copts were attacked. Some angry mobs decided to to disrupt public order and endanger the safety and security of society and the damage to national unity and social peace. They gave themselves the right to intimidate and destroy properties of the Copts. Those are criminals and should be punished according to the law.

The birth of Christ was a reason for progress of all humankind and taught humans to move from pride to humility. Christ the God became man and was born poor to teach us humility.