The Symbolism of the Monk‘s Kalansowa:1- It symbolizes the soldier‘s helmet in wars which protects him from the strokes of the enemy. In the same way, the monk‘s Kalansowa, with the crosses on it, protects him from the strokes of the enemy of good. 2- The hood protects the little child from the severe coldness …
The Conscience Some have a strict conscience that doubts everything and thinks that right is wrong, and others have a free conscience that justifies many actions. Conscience also has a relation to offense, as the following examples will show: Is beauty, for example, a stumbling block? Suppose there is a beautiful girl: some look at …
A Pure Conscience The life of the Christian has three distinguishing aspects: deeds, words and thought. Thought comes first, then words, since our words express openly the interior conclusions of the mind. Finally, after thoughts and words, comes action, for our deeds carry out what the mind has conceived. So, when one of these results …
Sin is a fearful evil and dangerous sickness of the soul. Sin weakens it sneakily and hands it paralyzed into eternal hell. It is however bad that it depends on our own will. It is a fruit of our own disposition. Sin is a fearful evil, but not incurable. Repentance cures it easily. For as …
Paths of RepentanceWould you like me to list also the paths of repentance? They are numerous and quite varied, and all lead to heaven. FIRST PATH OF REPENTANCEA first path of repentance is the condemnation of your own sins: Be the first to admit your sins and you will be justified. For this reason, too, …
The Ego and PrideBy: HH Pope Shenouda III Only a person who is wrongly concerned about himself, or who loves himself in a wrong way, falls in pride. He grows in his own eyes and likes to be great in the sight of the others, or even to be greater than the others. Examples of …
How to overcome your Ego By: Fr Matta Elmaskeen (Fr Matthew the poor) The First CounselNever rely on your own wisdom or might or on human strength in any of your works. Otherwise, your mind will become dim and your insight blurred, thus blocking the way for grace to enter you and show you the …
Our Mother St Mary – A Humble SoulLIFE OF HUMILITY Hail to the pride of the human race! Hail to the ladder of Jacob, who through the incarnation has allowed us to reach heaven. The magnificent glory which was given to her absolutely did not decrease by her humility. But rather it was because of …
The Virgin Mary and the fast dedicated to her nameThere is no woman about whom the prophets prophesied, and about whom the Holy Bible cared about, like the Virgin Mary. There are numerous symbols about her in the Old Testament. In the New Testament also, there is her biography, her praise, and the miracles. How many are the …
The Life of St Moses the StrongWe all look up to the saints, aspiring to their holiness and love for God, but subconsciously are often resigned that we will never be “a saint”. In our minds, the saints are just born perfect and aren’t really normal humans. In reality, the saints of our church come …
