“The brethren asked Abba Agathon: “Amongst all of our different activities, father, which is the virtue that requires the greatest effort?” He answered: “Forgive me, but I think there is no labour greater than praying to God. For every time a man wants to pray, his enemies the demons try to prevent him; for they …
For once, when about to eat, having risen up to pray about the ninth hour, he perceived that he was caught up in the spirit, and, wonderful to tell, he stood and saw himself, as it were, from outside himself, and that he was led in the air by certain ones. Next certain bitter and …
It seems that every year there is news of a Christian group somewhere around the world is being persecuted for their Christian faith. We hear of what’s happening to the Christians in Nigeria, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, etc. In Egypt we can say with St Paul “if I must boast, I will boast in the things …
The text tells us about a probably young Upper-Egyptian man, who was a merchant of imported women's fabrics. His extensive contacts with Moslems, especially crafty ones, resulted in him falling into sin with a woman and eventually he was forced to convert to Islam as a result. This happened during the reign of Osman the …
The most useful thing in our spiritual life is for us to reflect on suffering, and in particular the sufferings of Christ. Meditation in suffering lifts up the spirit. It lifts the spirit above the level of worldly desires. Therefore, when one is in the state of suffering, usually his/her spirit is stronger, spiritually deeper …
The Coptic monk is one who, above all, abides in the presence of God. Whereas, it may happen that a member of the laity might avoid renting a flat immediately next to a church because the constant reminder of divine immanence can become burdensome (e.g., when a husband and wife argue, or when a child …
“Martha and Mary are very beautifully portrayed in the Gospel as examples of this attitude and manner of behavior. For although Martha was indeed devoting herself to a holy service, ministering as she was to the Lord Himself and to His disciples, while Mary was intent only on spiritual teaching and was clinging to Jesus’ …
The brethren said, “Why do the devils fear the labours of the monks, even as the Fathers say, ‘If you wish the devils to be afraid of you, despise lusts?’” The old man said, “They are afraid because of three things. First, because our Lord treated with contempt three kinds of passions, which included and …
The harshest form of covetousness is not even to give things perishable to those who need them. “But whom do I treat unjustly,” you say, “by keeping what is my own?” Tell me, what is your own? What did you bring into this life? From where did you receive it? It is as if someone …
Why did the church choose the Psalms of David the Prophet and organise them into an Agbia? I do not want to answer this question with my own words but I want you to hear what St John Chrysostom says, “We read the Books of the Old Testament once a year with an effort; we …
