I was shocked, like many Copts, after the painful and tragic incident that led to the death of Bishop Epiphanius, head of the Monastery of St. Makkar. Several incidents added to such pain including the death of Father Zinoun and the severe attack against the church and its leaders. For centuries, the Church is often surrounded by threats from outside and inside, but the dangers of this era are increased through social networks as well as television channels that have no rules or credibility. However, it should be known that the world cannot defeat the church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (Matthew 16:18)

Everlasting life is the purpose for which was the incarnation of Jesus Christ on earth. It was a sacred invitation that showed us the appearance of our Savior Jesus Christ, who said of Himself, I am life. Bishop Bishoy of Kafr El-Sheikh and Damietta explained in his article Eternal Life that the Lord Jesus meant by the eternal life the one granted by the Lord Jesus to mankind. Thus, he said that who eats Him will live by Him.

In the 16th century, Azhar students noticed that their colleagues from Yemen drink a strong smell dark beverage with a bitter taste. The Yamani students were used to do this before exams and prayers. Soon, coffee spread inside Al-Azhar, and most of the students drank it. As usual, sheikhs started to interfere in all aspects of our life. One of them called Ahmed Abdul-Haq al-Sunbati forbade drinking coffee in any form assuring that everything that works to influence the mind is haraam. His fatwa was supported by many sheikhs and were discussed even in religious speeches and led to the destruction of several coffee shops.

The Lord Jesus taught us that words that come out of the mouth either justify and save him or destroy man and lead him to hell. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12: 37). Fahter John Nassif, priest of the Church of Our Lady in Chicago, said in his article about speech that it reveals the inner goodness of man or his evil. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

The Holy Sacraments of our beloved church are a gift from God to his children, through which he pours a flood of unseen blessings, which make them reach they destination without losing the way. Abba Moussa, Bishop of Youth, in his article The unity of the Holy Sacraments assured us that the sacraments are divine grants by which we receive many unseen graces. They are seven Sacraments: namely: Baptism, Holy Chrism, Holy Eucharist, Confession, Sanction of the sick, Matrimony, and Priesthood.

On September 9, 1981, President Sadat launched a war against Pope Shenouda and the Copts as he was calling himself a Muslim president of a Muslim country. He accused the late Pope Shenouda III of planning to separate from Egypt and establishing a Christina state in Assiut. Soon, he returned the Pope to his monastery and allowed the terrorists to attack the Copts everywhere promising that a threat of a civil war was at hand. We, the Copts, had fears about the reaction of our Muslim colleagues and neighbor. We were surprised to hear them condemning Sadat for his sectarian speech that was full of hatred, especially against Pope Shenouda III who was admired by all Egyptians.

Copts at Kasr Haidar village in Assiut had to hold a funeral of a deceased man in the streets in front of the church o St. Moses after the fanatics have forced them to shut down the church. I find such closure of the church in violation of the law is both shameful and disgraceful especially as the church was opened to prayer several years ago and before the draft of current law of houses of worship was passed in the parliament. Thus, the church can t be closed while it is waiting for legalization decision. Under the absence of law enforcement, Copts suffering is increasing and holding their prayers in several churches is getting harder. Their right to pray for God is being taken away by those who should be punished. I demand the reopening of the church immediately and empowering the Copts to pray freely and the person who issued a decision to close the church should be punished with the fanatics who attacked the church.

Many difficulties and obstacles hinder the way of the Christian man during his spiritual journey, but the Lord promised that those difficulties and tribulations would turn into glories. Bishop Bishoy of Kafr El-Sheikh and Damietta said in his article Why are you sad, my soul, why are you upsetting me? told us about the eternal joy promised by God. The Lord Jesus said to his disciples, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9: 23). This means that the Lord promised his disciples that their joy will surpass their sorrows all sadness because of their faith and following his commandments.

Teaching in the Church is the basis of our salvation. Through teaching, man realizes the basis of true faith and the relation with God. Thus, Jesus Christ, being the good teacher, put curricula for teaching his disciples. In the article Christ the Teacher , Abba Pachomius, former acting Patriarch, assured us that education in our church is necessary to know the foundations of the true Christian faith. Therefore, our teacher Paul recommends his pupil Timothy to Observe himself and teaching , and the Lord Jesus has put us a Proper education after he started his ministry by preaching on the mountain as his first work among the multitudes.

I worked for a company in the Delta of Egypt where the project manager decided to celebrate the feast by buying a sacrifice and slinging it to eat its meat. I watched how they used all kind of violence to kill the cow. They started to jump and tie it and twisted its neck before they start citing their prayers and slay it. Being shocked, I discussed what has just happened with a Muslim colleague who didn t like such violence. I told him that God wants mercy rather than a sacrifice. Your prayers doesn t make the killing process more humane or even Halal.

The encouragement has always been the reason for success and excellence, just like love is the loftiest humanitarian emotions. Therefore, we find that the family house in Alexandria working hard to cultivate the seeds of love in the youth to the love of their society.

If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all. This is how Jesus Christ told His disciples to do and to refrain from pride. Bishop Takla, in his article The Last of All assured us that humility is one of the important virtues of our lives and our omnipresence. Such humility was said by Abba Moussa the Black to be the best of all virtues just like pride is the worst evil.

The family is the main influencer in the personality as it is responsible for spiritual, mental and emotional education of the young people. HG Bishop Moussa, Bishop of Youth, talked in his article Family and the formation of personality about the impact of the family in its members in several aspects. First: the family, especially the mother, has great impact on her children who learn the meaning of prayers and saints by the parents unlike those who teach the children about cursing, anger and oblivion.

Abba Epiphanius, Bishop of St. Makar monastery, was killed inside his monastery in his way to pray the morning praises. He received a treacherous hit that killed him and broke his skull. The body was taken to Damanhour General Hospital to investigate the cause of the death. Indeed, the man who doesn t deserve to die was killed by those who don t deserve to live. I wonder who could kill such a good old man!

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2Timothy 3:12) The martyrdom of Bishop Epiphanious inside his monastery in the midst of the monks. What s concerning me about the story is that he was going out from his cell and going to the midnight praises. The monks were surprised because he was late and that was not the usual. When they got worried, the went to make sure everything was ok and they found him outside his cell going to the midnight praises but he was martyred before getting there.

The intercession of the angels and their friendship to the human race and their help to mankind is an orthodox doctrine rooted in the Coptic Church. Father John Naseef, the priest of the Church of Our Lady of Chicago, in his article Intercession of the Angels , tells us about some of Origen s quotations about the intercession of the angels.

His care for the poor and the needy were beyond the limit. He suffered too much and kept very few for himself. He is Bishop Abraam of Fayoum, the friend of the poor. HG Bishop Bishoy of Kafr El-Sheikh said in his article The immortal life of Bishop Abram explained the suffering of the saint because of his love of the poor and the needy.

We hear in the Middle East many accusations to women that they are created from a crooked rib and if we want to fix it, it will be broken! In the Holy Bible, it is mentioned that Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. )Genesis 1:31(. She was made perfect human being and was brought to Adam. Other people claim that Christianity also commands men to rule over women. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church. (Ephesians 5: 23) Yet, they ignore the rest of the chapter where St. Paul talks about love Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5: 25) it si a matter of love and sacrifice and not ruling over.

In the Parable of the Sower, the farmer went out to sow and did not care about the hard land or the hard hearts. He did not stop at a land where the plants had no root, but sowed his seeds with all generosity. The hearts with thorns of Lord s beloved ones injured his hand. He abandoned his glory and came to this land. Indeed, he was overcome by his love till he reached the cross.

God created man and made him in the image of Himself. Therefore, death can t be the end of man, but a bridge to reach eternal life. I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. (Hosea13: 14) Father Benjamin of Moharraq monastery said In his article The Faithful Foundations of the Saints apparitions said that God is god of the living and when Jesus Christ talked about Lazarus he said he only slept since good people don t die, but depart for another life.