The holy look of virginity is precious indeed in the judgment of all who make purity the test of beauty; but it belongs to those alone whose struggles to gain this object of a noble love are favoured and helped by the grace of God. Now if the achievement of this saintly virtue consists in …
To continue my reflections of my numerous spiritual counsel with monks and Bishops during my last retreat in the Egyptian desert, a definition of monasticism was always formulated during the conversation. Each of these definition reflects each monk’s long experience in the monastic life. Here are these definitions. Bishop Youstos: Monasticism came as a replacement …
With the kind permission of Bishop Daniel (the Bishop of St Shenouda Monastery), we, the monks of the monastery, went on a spiritual retreat to the monasteries of Egypt. This retreat was an eye opener in many aspects. For this I thank Bishop Daniel very much. One of the aspects that really came to light …
All these monastic practices makes monasticism seem to be full of grief and sadness, where does joy fit in all of that? At the first glimpse, monasticism looks like a life of grief, struggle, sadness and tears. A monk deprives himself willingly from the pleasures of this world, living in the dry desert, wearing black …
Monastic Principles By Fr. Raphael El Baramousy, St Shenouda Monastery Publications As I flicked through the pages of ‘Monastic Principles,’ it occurred to me that the book is addressing those living the monastic life. But after reading the first chapter, it was clear that writing to that audience was most beneficial to me. Monks strive …
My son, listen and be wise, accept the true doctrine, for there are many ways. Be able to obey God like Abraham, who abandoned his country, went into exile, and with Isaac lived in a tent in the promised land as in a foreign country. He obeyed, humbled himself, and was given an inheritance; he …
By the time of St. Athanasius (295-373) the concept of spiritual martyrdom had become fairly uniform and definite. From the first remarks of St. Athanasius about the spiritual martyrdom of St Anthony to those of Sulpicius Severus about the martyrdom of St Martin of Tours, the requirements for spiritual martyrdom remain rather constant. The requirements …
God offered us the grace of calling and accepting us in the sacred wilderness, i.e., the wilderness of Sheheet, the wilderness of "the weighing scale of hearts." With its name the Holy Spirit draws our hearts to this designation's implication concerning our life together in this holy wilderness, and offering our lives to God the …
My pious sons and daughters, Monks and nuns of our Coptic Orthodox monasteries on our land Egypt and the various continents of the world. The peace of the Lord that exceeds every mind may protect your hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus. I am writing to you my annual monastic message for the second time, …
The cell was regarded in the apophthegms as a specific space where one lived and followed a particular praxis that suited the monastic. The cell was set aside from other spaces because it was the place for serious spiritual work, which often included battles against thoughts and demons. A brother went to Abba Moses to …
