Monasticism began as a result of one man’s attempt to fulfill a Scriptural challenge, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” (Matt 19:21) And so the young Antony attempted to live out what God had mandated. Many followed the example …
St Shenouda the Archimandrite is famous for his life as a monk, national leader, and a writer. Perhaps he is less famous for his powerful defence of biblical truth. A highlight of this is when our holy fathers convened a synod to excommunicate the impious Nestorius. On this occasion Abba Shenouda and St Cyril the …
“There is a man in the south of Egypt called Shenoute. Whatever he says truly comes to pass.” - St Wissa When contemplating on the lives of the saints, we soon come to realise the love of God and His saving grace which is constantly perfecting His image in us. The great St Shenouda the …
Many of us would dream of seeing and speaking with Christ in person. Indeed those people such as the apostles, who lived during His time were truly blessed to receive His teachings in His presence. There are some who claim to experience the presence of God in visions or dreams also, but there is one …
When we began to speak we said, "See how God honoured you; He glorified and exalted you. You also honour Him, glorify Him. You honour Him even more when you observe His commandments and His laws," someone replied and said, "The devil hinders us and trips us up and does not let us do this, …
One day, a man from the town of Ashmin came to him. He was a notable businessman of very great wealth, and thieves had robbed his house, leaving him nothing. He came to my father and cried: “Help me, my lord and father! They have devastated my house and left me nothing at all”. My …
The act of writing held an almost sacred place in early Christianity. In putting word to parchment or papyrus, the Christian author ritually and mimetically recalled the incarnation of the divine Word (Iogos) in material form. As Derek Krueger has written, "From the perspective of late antiquity, the connection between logos and body always already …
At the time when the wise Cyril summoned Saint Abba Shenouda to the holy synod that met in Ephesus concerning the impious human worshipper Nestorius, our Lord Jesus Christ gave them friendly assistance until they subscribed to the deposition of that despicable person. After this battle waged by Saint Cyril and the holy synod of …
Let us look at an extract from the beginning of the first sermon: "So listen, O you who have friendship for the man who is discouraged, and look at his affliction when he says, 'Behold, Lord, I am tormented, my heart has become disturbed, and my heart has turned within me because I am in …
It happened on one occasion that the holy Patriarch Abba Kyrillos sent for my father St. Shenouda and Abba Victor the Archimandrite of Tabaneese on account of the impious Nestorius to withstand him. After they had entered the royal city, our righteous father St. Shenouda was walking into the king’s palace when he found a …
