6/05/2012
pÃŒ√ÃÒ√C BJ√fiAÀ
ΩŒ÷BbŒø “∏÷›ùA oŒ÷i
كيف احتفظ بروحياتي فى فرتة اخلناسنت املقدسة ؟ رسالة نيافة احلرب اجلليل االنبا سوريال سالم ياحبايب اليوم الثالث القيامة األوىل والقيامة الث ــانية ...شخصيات مو كتابها املقدس اجملامع الكهسية البابا مرقس األول حدوتة صغهتوتة
دللة
قوة الصالة إجتناعيات
رئيس املالئكة ميخائيل واألنبا أنطونيوس Address: 136 Drummond Street Oakleigh 3166 Fax (Church office): (03) 9563 1659 Email: info@oakleighcopts.org
Fr Mina: Mobile: 0411533 380 Church Phone: 9568 7140 Fax: 9569 6494 Email: frmina@oakleighcopts.org
Fr Daniel: Mobile: 0403 336 725 Church Phone: 9568 4866 Fax: 95115542 Email: frdaniel@oakleighcopts.org
السهكسار FEAST OF RESURRECTION SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE. THE THIRD DAY THE FIRST RESURRECTION AND THE SECOND RESURRECTION RESURRECTION WITH CHRIST NOTES ON THE OLD TESTAMENT ABOUT THE COPTIC CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA ARE YOU LIKE GAIUS, DEMETRIUS OR
DIOTREPHES? (PART I OF III) JUNIOR BIBLE STUDY ACNE
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اسمِي َف ُه َنا َك أَ ُكونُ فِي ان أَ ْو َثالَ َث ٌة ِب ْ َح ْي ُث َما ْ اج َت َم َع ا ْث َن ِ
همْْ َو َ سطِ ِ
(متى )21 :72
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. Matthew 18:26
JUNIOR BIBLE STUDY EVERY MONDAY ZONE NIGHT 7-8PM We are currently studying Jonah in Junior Bible Study please join us to hear this wonderful story of God’s plan and how we should obey and love Him.
ACTIVITIES: JONAH Here are some activities to help you. Good Luck.
Help the bunny find the egg
The Martyrdom of St. George Prince of the Martyrs
1/05/2012
23 Bramudah
ِٝٔاٚاد ِار جزجض اٌزٙاطرش
1. The Departure of Pope Sinuthius (Shenouda I), 55th Pope of Alexandria. 2. The Martyrdom of St. Sina, the Soldier.
2/05/2012
24 Bramudah
صٚز٠ذ١ظ٠ك إ١ رفٜاد طٕا اٌجٕذٙاطرش 65 ي اٌـٚص األٛ١ذٛٔض اٌثاتا طا٠احح اٌمذ١ٔ
1. The Martyrdom of St. Sarah, and her two sons. 2. The Commemoration of Sts. Babnuda (Paphnute) the hermit, Theodore the worshipper, and the One hundred martyrs.
3/05/2012
25 Bramudah
اٙ٠اٌذٚٚ ظح طارج٠اد اٌمذٙاطرش حذٛدٖ اٌّرٕٛض تث٠ذذوار اٌمذ
1. The Martyrdom of St. Sousenyos. 2. The Departure of Pope Youannis VII, 78th. Patriarch.
4/05/2012
26 Bramudah
ثطزص١طٛص تٓ طٛ١ر١طٛاد طٙاطرش 7 اٌـٜأٔض االطىٕذرٛ٠ اد اٌثاتاٙاطرش
The Martyrdom of St. Boctor Ebn Romanus
5/05/2012
27 Bramudah
صٛ١ِٔاٚاد تمطز تٓ رٙاطرش
The Martyrdom of St. Milius, The Ascetic
6/05/2012
28 Bramudah
ص إٌاطهٛ١ٍ١ِ ادٙاطرش
1. The Departure of St. Erastus, the Apostle. 2. The Departure of St. Acacius, Bishop of Jerusalem.
7/05/2012
29 Bramudah
يٛص اٌزطٛاحح أرطط١ٔ ِٗٓ ِعٚ ُ١ٍرشٚص أطمف أٛ١ض أواو٠احح اٌمذ١ٔ
The Martyrdom of the Great Saint Mark, the Apostle The Evangelist of the Land of Egypt
8/05/2012
30 Bramudah
ح٠اخ االطىٕذرٚي تاتاٚي اٛاد ِارِزلض اٌزطٙاطرش
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary The Mother of God
9/05/2012
1- Bashans
ٌٗاٌذج اإلٚ ظح اٌعذراء٠الد اٌمذ١ِ
1. The Departure of the righteous Job. 2. The Departure of St. Tadros (Theodore), the disciple of St. Pachomius. 3. The Martyrdom of St. Philothao
10/05/2012
2 Bashans
صٚثاٍٛ١ض ف٠اد اٌمذٙاطرش ص أب اٌشزوحٛ١ِٛذ تاخ١ٍّض ذادرص ذ٠احح اٌمذ١ٔ ب اٌثارٛ٠احح أ١ٔ
1. The Departure of St. Jason, one of the Seventy disciples. 2. The Departure of St. Otimus, the Priest. 3. The Departure of Pope Gabriel IV, the 86th. Patriarch of Alexandria.
11/05/2012
3 Bashans
8 زن٠اي اٌزاتع اٌثطز٠احح اٌثاتا غثز١ٔ ٖٛص اٌمض ِٓ فّٛ١ذٚض أ٠اد اٌمذٙأطرش يٛٓ رط١ْ احذ اٌظثعٛاحح تاط١ٔ
1. The Departure of Pope John (Youhanna) the First, the Twenty Ninth Patriarch of the See of St. Mark. 2. The Departure of pope Yoannis the Fifth the Seventy Second Patriarch.
12/05/2012
4 Bashans
ٓ١اٌظثعٚ ٟٔزن اٌثا٠أٔض اٌخاِض اٌثطزٛ٠ احح اٌثاتا١ٔ 99 ي اٌـٚحٕا األٛ٠ احح اٌثاتا١ٔ
The Martyrdom of St. Jeremiah the Prophet
13/05/2012
5 Bashans
ٜ ِمار اٌمض االطىٕذرٛاحح ات١ٔ ٝا إٌث١ِاد ارٙاطرش
1. The Martyrdom of St. Isaac El-Defrawi. 2. The Departure of St. Macarius of Alexandria. 3. The Departure of Father Paphnute of ElBandarah.
14/05/2012
6 Bashans
The Departure of St. Athanasius the Apostolic the 20th. Pope of Alexandria
15/05/2012
7 Bashans
1- The assenction feast 2- The Martyrdom of St. John of Senhout
16/05/2012
8 Bashans
،ْ ٘زِا،راصٛالد٘ا "طٚأٚ ٝالجٚاد االَ دٙاطرش "فاٛٔ أتاٚ ،شٕطاص ٖدٖ ِٓ اٌثٕذرٕٛاحح األب تث١ٔ ٜص االطىٕذرٛ٠ض ِمار٠احح اٌمذ١ٔ ٜٚض أطحك اٌذفزا٠اد اٌمذٙاطرش ٓ٠حذٛض اٌّر١دٖ رئٕٛالد أٔثا ش١ِ 92 اٌـٌٝٛص اٌزطٛ١احح اٌثاتا أثٕاط١ٔ 97 ٗ اعرثار اْ طٍثٍٝ اٌظّاء عٌٝد رتٕا إٛذذوار طع اخِٙ تز99 ٗاِر١لٚ اخِٙتز د١ٙ١اي لّض ش١ٔاحح دا١ٔ ٜرٕٛٙحٕض اٌظ٠ احح أٔثا١ٔ
1. The Departure of St. Helena, The Empress. 2. The Departure of Pope Yoannis the Eleventh, the 89th. Patriarch of Alexandra. 3. The Departure of St. Gabriel the Eighth, the 97th. Patriarch of Alexandria. The Departure of the Three Hebrew Young Men Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael 1. The Martyrdom of St. Theoclia, the wife of St. Justus. 2. The Departure of St. Paphnotius (St. Paphnuti), the Bishop 1. The Commemoration of the Consecration of the church of St. Demiana. 2. The Commemoration of the Relocation of the relics of St. John Chrysostom. 3. The Commemoration of the Appearance of a Cross of light above Golgotha. 4. The Departure of Pope Mark the Seventh, the 106th. Patriarch of Alexandria. 5. The Commemoration of the Martyrdom of Master (Moallem) Malati. The Departure Of St. Arsanius The Tutor Of the Emperor's Children 1. The Departure of St. Pachomius (Pakhom), the Father of the Spiritual Communal Monastic life (Cenobitic life). 1. The Martyrdom of St. Simon the Zealot, the Apostle who is known by (Simon the Canaanite). 2. The Martyrdom of 400 martyrs in Dandara (Denderah). 3. The Commemoration of St. Mina the Deacon. The Commemoration of St. John The Evangelist The Departure of St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus 1. The Departure of St. George (Ga'orgi), the Friend of St. Abraam. 2. The Commemoration of the feast of Pentecost. 1. The Commemoration of the Departure of Abba Isaac, the Priest of El-Qalali (Cells). 2. The Commemoration of the Martyrdom of St. Isidorus (Isidore) of Antioch. The Departure Of St. Ammonius The Hermit 1. The Commemoration of the Holy and Pure Virgin Mary. 2. The Departure of St. Marcian (Martinianus). The Departure of St. Andronicus One of the Seventy Disciples
)97( زن٠اي اٌثآِ اٌثطز٠احح اٌثاتا غثز١ٔ زن٠ عشز اٌثطزٞأٔض اٌحادٛ٠ احح اٌثاتا١ٔ الٔح اٌٍّىح١٘ ظح٠احح اٌمذ١ٔ
17/05/2012
9 Bashans
18/05/2012
10 Bashans
ً١ظائ١ِٚ ا٠عشرٚ ا١ٔٓ حٕا١ظ٠ح اٌمذ١احح اٌثالثح فر١ٔ
19/05/2012
11 Bashans
ص االطمفٛ١ذٕٛض األٔثا تف٠احح اٌمذ١ٔ طض١جح ذٚا س١ٍاد ثاؤوٙاطرش
20/05/2012
12 Bashans
حٕا فُ اٌذ٘ةٛ٠ ض٠ٔمً أعضاء اٌمذ ً١خائ١ِ ً١ٍض اٌّالئىح اٌج١ ٌزئٞزٙاٌرذوار اٌش ة١ٍر طٛٙظٚ ٜأح تاٌثزار١ِظح د٠ظح اٌمذ١ٕض و٠ذذوار ذىز رٛٔ ق اٌجٍجثحٛر فٛٔ ِٓ ة١ٍر طٛٙذذوار ظ 727( زن٠احح اٌثاتا ِزلض اٌظاتع اٌثطز١ٔ ذذوار ٟاد اٌّعٍُ ٍِطٙذذوار اطرش
21/05/2012
13 Bashans
نٌٍّٛالد اٚص ِعٍُ اٛ١ٔاحح األٔثا أرطا١ٔ
22/05/2012
14 Bashans
َ أب اٌشزوحٛاحح أٔثا تاخ١ٔ
23/05/2012
15 Bashans
رٛ١ اٌغٜٛٔض طّعاْ اٌما٠اد اٌمذٙاطرش ذ تذٔذرج١ٙ ش022 ادٙاطرش ٕا اٌشّاص١ِ ض٠ذذوار اٌمذ
24/05/2012
16 Bashans
ّٗ اطٍٟظح ع١ٕض و٠ذىزٚ ٍٟ١حٕا اإلٔجٛ٠ ض٠تشارج اٌمذ ح٠ٕح اإلطىٕذر٠تّذ
25/05/2012
17 Bashans
ص أطمف لثزصٛ١ٔفا١احح أت١ٔ
26/05/2012
18 Bashans
َك إتزا١ رفٟرجٛاحح األٔثا ج١ٔ ذ اٌعٕظزج١ذذوار ع
27/05/2012
19 Bashans
ٌٝاحح األٔثا أطحك لض اٌمال١ٔ ٟرص االٔطاوٚذ١ظ٠ض ا٠اد اٌمذٙذذوار اطرش
28/05/2012
20 Bashans
ٝحذ االٔطاوٛص اٌّرٛ١ِٔٛاحح األٔثا أ١ٔ
29/05/2012
21 Bashans
صٛٔا١ض ِزذ٠احح اٌمذ١ٔ ُ اٌعذراء٠ظح ِز٠اٌذج االٌٗ اٌمذٌٛ ٞزٙاٌرذوار اٌش
30/05/2012
22 Bashans
ٓ١ص أحذ اٌظثعٛٔىٚاحح أٔذر١ٔ
ACNE is the most common skin condition, affecting most people at some time during their life. Despite the multiple treatments available, many patients are often untreated, resulting in long-term scars and psychological distress. Acne vulgaris is a very common skin condition in adolescents. About 85% of adolescents experience acne. Girls tend to develop acne before boys. However, boys tend to have more persistent and severe acne compared with girls. In some patients, acne improves in their midto-late 20s. Up to 50% of patients will have acne that persists in adulthood. Sebaceous glands are present all over the body, except for the palms and soles, with a large number located on the face. Sebaceous gland and hair follicle are affected in acne. The main role of the sebaceous glands is to produce sebum oil. Studies have shown that patients with acne have larger sebaceous glands and produce more sebum than those without acne. Four main factors contribute to acne. They are: Hormones play a significant sole in the pathogenesis of acne. Acne often begins at puberty, coinciding with a surge in sex hormone levels. Interestingly, milk (including skim milk) produced more acne, which stimulates androgen synthesis and sebum production. Although studies in the literature have not found a direct correlation between chocolate and acne, it is possible that the milk in chocolate contribute to increased acne. Milk contains many hormones.
Microorganisms are trapped in the follicular ducts by plugs, and secrete enzymes that result in tissue damage leading to inflammation. Moisturisers and some cosmetic products increase the lipid content of the skin, making it a breeding ground for bacteria.
Sebaceous glands produce excess sebum, which contributes to sebaceous follicle obstruction, resulting in the formation of a comedone. Comedones tend to appear of the facial „T-zone‟ (the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin) which corresponds to areas of high sebaceous gland activity. Scarring is usually secondary to inflammatory lesions. Scars occur due to either collagen excess or loss. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is another common consequence of acne, especially in darkerskinned individuals. There is usually a strong family history of acne. Quality of Life Although acne does not have a direct impact on health, it does affect the patient‟s self-esteem, and quality of life. Adolescence itself is often already a time of emotional difficulty. This can be a downward spiral, as stress worsens acne. We need to be aware that the psychological impact does not correlate with the severity of the acne.
• • •
Non-comedogenic cosmetics Do not moisturise Do not squeeze or pick acne
• • •
Topical antibiotics Systemic antibiotics Topical retinoid
•
Oral contraceptives
The procedure begins by applying a photosensitising agent to lesions. A special light is then shone on these lesions. This can significantly reduce the number of inflammatory lesions for 10 weeks. Photodynamic therapy is usually somewhat painful when delivered and the treatment is relatively expensive.
A lady was driving along with her father.
little more clearly. After a couple of miles she was again on dry land, and the sun came out.
They came upon a storm, and the young lady asked her father, “what should I do?"
Her father said, "Now you can pull over and get out."
He said "keep driving". Cars began to pull over to the side, the storm was getting worse.
She said "But why now?"
"What should I do?" The young lady asked? "Keep driving," her father replied. On up a few feet, she noticed that eighteen wheelers were also pulling over. She told her dad, "I must pull over, I can barely see ahead. It is terrible, and everyone is pulling over!" Her father told her, "Don't give up, just keep driving!" Now the storm was terrible, but she never stopped driving, and soon she could see a
He said "When you get out, look back at all the people that gave up and are still in the storm, because you never gave up your storm is now over. This is a testimony for anyone who is going through "hard times". Just because everyone else, even the strongest, gives up.
You don't have to...if you keep going, soon your storm will be over and the sun will shine upon your face again.
follow Diotrephes‟s footsteps and breed evil from their own evil doing, leading themselves and maybe others into the clutches of the devil.
The Third Letter of John the Evangelist, the shortest book in the Bible, is one of seven catholic or universal letters of the New Testament. Like the first and the second letter written by John the book‟s main focus is Love and Truth, which should be the focus of every person professing to be a Christian. The letter is addressed to the universal Church in general, and is one of two letters in the Bible written specifically to an individual, the other letter being Paul's letter to Philemon. In this letter, St John, calling himself, the elder, composed the letter to Gaius to commend a party of Christians led by Demetrius, who had gone on a mission to preach the Gospel (verse 7). The purpose of the letter is to encourage and strengthen Gaius, and to warn him against the party headed by Diotrephes. The letter suggests that St John had previously written to the church to which Diotrephes is a part of, but Diotrephes who is an influential man within the assembly of the church, probably a leader, or an elder has risen to such power that he can rejected John‟s letter entirely (Verse 9), refuse to receive traveling missionaries, prevented other members of the Church from doing so, and even ventured to “cast out” or exclude those who did, following “that which is evil, not that which is good” (Verse 11). Each one of us has a certain level of power over another person; even children can have authority over other children. Those who have truly seen God, can only do what is good, and in turn encourage those who are less powerful to do the same, for “he that does good, is of God”. Those who block off God, or are pretentious in their faith,
Diotrephes, like the devil strives on evil and takes pleasure in seeing others perform the evil which he has encouraged. His authority and power combined with his distance from God has given him the recipe for destruction. As we are mere humans each with our weaknesses, susceptible to temptation, it is important to maintain our connection with God through fasting, prayers, confession and communion to ensure that we do not become like Diotrephes. It is only through these sacraments that we would recognise our flaws and move towards correction. Otherwise we will continue to fool ourselves into believing what we want to believe of who we are and we will never know the truth or recognise the damage that we cause through evil deeds. Without the sacraments we will find justification for the evil that we cause and argue against the good that we can influence. No one likes to think of themselves as Diotrephes, but, are you?
Throughout this coming month review your actions; your words; how you address others, your contribution to their lives; and the thoughts which go through your own mind. Ask yourself if your words, thoughts and deeds are consistent with God‟ teaching. You may find that your answer is “yes”. Then make a time for a session with your confessional Father. A confession may reveal otherwise and give you the opportunity to go down the right path. Do not dread the fact that you may possess weaknesses, and that you are not the person whom you think you are, but rather, fear missing out on the opportunity to recognise and move towards dealing with these weaknesses, and the chance of strengthening yourself spiritually.
To be continued next month ………..
Melbourne. Fr Victor arrived on Wednesday April 14, which happened to coincide with passion week of that year. With God‟s grace the congregation of Melbourne celebrated the feast of the Resurrection 1971 with their very own priest. In 1972 under the leadership of Fr Victor the congregation purchased an Anglican church in Kensington, which became St Mary‟s Coptic Orthodox Church, the first permanent parish in Victoria. During this time His Holiness Pope Shenouda III succeeded His Holiness Pope Kyrellos VI at Patriarch of the See of St Mark and Pope of Alexandria, and sent Fr Mina Isaac to Melbourne to help Fr Victor in serving the congregation. In the subsequent years the church continued to grow at a healthy rate. With the arrival of more Christ loving Copts, came more priests and churches also. By 1999 the Coptic Orthodox Church in Melbourne had grown to • 11 Churches • 2 Schools • 1 Coptic Village including affordable housing, a medical centre and a nearby Coptic Orthodox Church (St Mina & St Marina) • 1 (30) beds Hostel for the elderly As a result of this amazing journey
which began with the pioneers of the sixties and seventies, His Holiness Pope Shenouda consecrated Fr Suriel El-Anba Bishoy as His Grace Bishop Suriel in June 1997. On December 4th 1999 a truly historic and joyus event took place when His Grace Bishop Suriel was enthroned as Bishop of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions (Victoria, New Zealand, ACT, Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia and later Fiji) at Archangel Michael and Saint Anthony‟s Coptic Orthodox Church, Oakleigh. Since that time the church has continued to grow under His Graces loving guidance and leadership. Among the many achievements of the diocese were the important missions to the South Pacific and Pakistan, as well as the formation of a theological college and the establishment of a Diocese Headquarters in Donvale. May the Church in Melbourne continue to grow in peaceful times for the Glory of God‟s name.
from that day followed by a small contemplation by a member of the congregation. In the late 1960‟s and early 1970‟s about forty newly migrated families made up the Coptic Orthodox Community in Melbourne. These people were a new breed of Copts who made up an important part of the church, in the lands of immigration. To them it was important to integrate into Australian society while still preserving the tradition, faith and teachings of their beloved Coptic Orthodox Church. This is their story: In their earliest years the congregation of Melbourne gathered at the Church of All Nations in Carlton, near the CBD. This was an Anglican Mission to “New Australians.” After attending the Church of All Nations regularly, the minister there pressured the Copts to accept the Sacrament of Eucharist, however strong in their faith the Copts refused. They all met one Sunday evening after a prayer at the Church of All Nations, and unanimously decided to form the first Coptic Church in Melbourne called after The Virgin Mary. True to their Christian faith, the already established Copts would wait on the Station Pier wharf, awaiting new arrivals from Egypt and help them settling in, finding places to live and work. Through this act of love, the congregation steadily grew and they met every Sunday to read the Agbia (book of hourly prayers) and read the Bible readings
The congregation needed a place to pray, and rented a hall attached to the Syrian Maronite Church in Victoria Parade, East Melbourne. This hall proved far too small for the rapidly growing community, and soon the Copts and soon a new place on Church Street Richmond was hired. This place was only available at 2pm on Sundays and Sunday School Services could now take place. At this same point in time, the Church in Sydney was in it infancy and also growing at a very frequent rate. The Copts their felt it was the right time for a permanent priest, and His Holiness Pope Kyrellos in his wisdom responded by sending Fr Mina Namatalla (deceased) as the first priest to serve in Australia. On January 21st 1969 Fr Mina arrived in Melbourne on his way to Sydney. On that night at 6:00pm an historic event took place when the first ever Coptic Orthodox Liturgy was prayed on Australian soil. The pioneers of the church in Melbourne were jubilant and praised God that they celebrated the liturgy, for some it was the first time they had partaken in the sacrament for several years! Fr Mina continued to pray liturgies in both Sydney and Melbourne until the arrival of Fr Victor Raphael (deceased) in 1971. His Holiness Pope Kyrellos VI had once again responded with love to his children in Australia‟s needs by sending Fr Victor as a priest for
The Old Testament was the Bible used by the Lord and His Apostles. The Word Scripture and Scriptures almost exclusively refer to Old Testament. The Lord Jesus Christ recognised the full authority, Binding Nature and His right as its Interpreter what was in the Old Testament. In fact Christ often uses “it is Written” God‟s Words and Acts preserved in writing. Christ interpreted the Law as it should be in the sermon on the Mount (Mt 5-7). We know Christ to be the personal fulfilment of the Old Testament.
Christ explained the Law and prophecies into one (Mat7:12 & Mk 12:32)
St Paul uses the Old Testament extensively to prove the Jesus is the Christ and to affirm its moral implications. St John talks of Christ and Moses together. St. Matthew quotes the Old Testament affirming that Jesus Christ is the fulfilment of the Scriptures and Prophecies Authoritative, True, and Binding Well that‟s all very good and well but what‟s in it for me. I believe in the Lord Christ and His Work of Salvation. I don‟t
have a problem with you saying that His coming and all that was all fore told long ago. St. Paul said in his letter to the Galatians 3:24 that the Law was our schoolmaster or our tutor to pave the way for us receiving and understanding The Lord Jesus Christ as our God and Saviour. Every process requires adequate preparation you cannot short cut the learning process. The Old Testament is a Book of experience. Of real people in real situations and how they respond to God and how God responds to them. There is great solas, comfort and cheer awaiting us in the Old Testament. How people seek the Lord, How they petition Him, how they worship and praise Him and how they disregard and upset Him. It is our way to see the Eternal Christ as Saviour of the World past, present and future. In this series of article we hope to show you some ways to navigate the Old Testament so you find what you want quickly and understand the thread that runs through it.
The Bible is the most remarkable book ever written. It was written by more than 40 men of many occupations over 1500 years in three languages Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. Yet it is centred around Jesus Christ. Therefore we say it has one Supreme Author - The Holy Spirit. The Holy Bible is the inspired word of God. God‟s breath moved the hearts and minds of His chosen to record and reveal to us the message God wants to give us. This inspired and life giving word comes to us in both the New and Old Testament. Many people are scared or reluctant to read the Old Testament because it has so many unfamiliar situations and language. But there are many things in the Old Testament that will enhance our faith and devotion to God. In this series, with God‟s grace, we will show some things about the Old Testament to perhaps demystify it to a some extent and show you that is a necessary weapon in the hands of a Christian soldier There is a long standing relationship between God and Man which in part is recorded in the stories and the lives of Old Testament Men and Women. If we disregard the Old Testament we endanger ourselves of missing out on some great truths This is the opening verse from the Epistle to the Hebrew. Here St. Paul Puts the two Testaments side by side. The Old Testament - In many and various was God spoke of Old “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, - but in these last days he has
spoken to us by his Son. (Heb 1:1-2)”. The Old Testament revels to us how God deals with His people how long suffering He is and how truly He is the God of Love who was revealed to us in Jesus Christ Our Lord. If this is so, then you may find many answers to the question you seek in them just as great men and women of old found their God. You will remember the story on the day of Resurrection when some of The Lords disciples were walking to Emmaus defeated and confused. When they met the Lord, He began to explain to them all that had happened and its purpose. Watch what they said when the Law and the Prophets were opened to the: "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread” (Luke 24:32-35). As St Augustan Said
Whoever desires to enjoy the splendor of the Lord's resurrection must have passed the experience of death with Christ. "For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him." (Rom 6:5-6) "Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts." (Rom 6:11-12) "How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" (Rom 6:2)
Death from sin and resurrection with Christ. Baptism: Burial and resurrection with Christ. "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Rom 6:4) St. John Chrysostom says: "Indeed, the Lord confirmed the truth of the resurrection after forty days by different appearances and numerous forms, in order to prove to us that we are engaged in the resurrection for a new life in the likeness of His resurrection... in newness of life." How Do We Enter into the Power of the Resurrection? Indeed, the body of the Lord in His resurrection became a spiritual heaven, not
submitting to the world even though it lives in the world. Therefore it is appropriate: That our lives be heavenly even though we live in the world since if we live according to the flesh we will die, but if by the Spirit we put to death the deeds of the body, we will live. (Rom 8:13) The deeds of the flesh that we should avoid are "...adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries..." (Galatians 5:19- 21) Therefore we should become separated from the world even though we live in the world. Due to this, the Apostle says, "the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess and those who use this world as not misusing it." (1 Corinthians 7:29-31) Lastly "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God... For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." (Col 3:1-4)
Through His resurrection, Christ conquered the powers of sin and death. St Athanasius states, “The death of all was consummated in the Lord's body; yet, because the Word was in it, death and corruption were in the same act utterly abolished.” Our salvation was achieved by our Lord Jesus Christ‟s death on the Cross and accomplished by His holy Resurrection and ascension. By raising us up, the Lord has moved us from death to life. In the Orthodox Church, the feast of Resurrection is commonly referred to as "Pascha" the Greek term for "Passover." It is the Passover from death to life.
The physical death is when the spirit leaves the body and the earthly life of the individual ends. This death may be referred to by the word “sleep” as our Lord said, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up”. This type of death is common to all people regardless of their spiritual state. In the Litany for the departed, the priest says “For there is no death for Your servants, but a departure”.
As physical death is the separation of the soul from the body, the spiritual death is the separation of the soul from God. Sin separates us from God, therefore “the wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23. The holy Bible refers to the state of sinfulness by the word “death” as our Lord said in the parable of the Prodigal son, “my son was dead and is alive again” Luke 15:24.
Jesus has defeated sin, death, and evil through his own death and resurrection. The power of sin has been rendered powerless, as we are no longer enslaved to it but to Christ! By the power of Christ‟s resurrection we can overcome sin, repent and walk according to the Spirit.
Since the Holy Bible refers to sin as death, therefore, it is no surprise that repentance would be considered a resurrection. The Book of Revelation calls repentance the “first resurrection”, so sin is called the “first death” and the general resurrection is called the “second resurrection.”
On the Last Day, all those who physically died will rise again as our Lord said, “for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” John 5:28-29. On the Last Day, all humans -good and evilwill stand in front of the judgment seat of Lord Jesus Christ. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” 2 Cor 5:10.
On judgment day, the Lord Jesus will also say to those on the left hand, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” Matt 25:41 In the Book of Revelation, the casting into the lake of fire is called the second death. “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Rev 20:14-15 My beloved, our Lord Christ died for us all to save us, but each one of us must do his part. As long as we are alive, we should live no longer for ourselves, but for Him who died for us and rose again. Fight the good fight; and have no fear whatever of death, for Christ is the life of those who believe; and remember that: “He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” Rev 2:11
come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people” Ex 19:11
8- When the time came that Israelis crossed to Jordan to master the earth, Joshua the son of Nun said to the officers of the people “Pass through the camp, and command the people, 'Prepare your provisions; for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan, to go in to take possession of the land which the LORD your God gives you to possess” Jo 1:11 9- When two men spies went to house of Rahab and lodged there to spy Jericho they hide in the hill for three days, then returned to their people in Shittim, Rahab told them “Pass through the camp, and command the people, 'Prepare your provisions; for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan, to go in to take possession of the land which the LORD your God gives you to possess” Jo 2:16 10- The three days in story of Tobia has signs for saving from death and desire and The Resurrection The Victory Lord “if you marry her and entered your bed, hold yourself from touching her for three days and do not be together unless for prayers” To 6:18 11- When Hezeki‟ah was sick to death and prayed to The Lord God, God extended his life 15 years and this news came in the third day “Turn back, and say to Hezeki'ah the prince of my people, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you; on the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD” 2 Kings 20:5 12- When Esther the queen was near death with her people, she asked Mor'decai and Jews top fast for three days “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king,
though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish” Es 4:16 13- In Jonah “And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” Jo 1:17 Jonah was considered dead and came to life in the third day. 14- Prophet Hosea prophecies about The Resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ when he said “After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him” Ho 6:2 15- The Lord Jesus Christ spoke about himself many times about his resurrection in the third day when He said “And he said to them, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course” Lu 13:32 Truly the Resurrection of The Lord is the secret of our baptism power.
The Lord Jesus Christ has risen in the third day after his death. These three days have depth of spiritual and divine meanings. The Lord Jesus Christ wanted to show relation between his death and his resurrection and also in relation to our holy baptism in The holy trinity.
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After our birth we must be immersed in water three times, as The Lord Jesus Christ commanded “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Mathew 28:19 These three immersions represent burying of Christ in tomb for three days “and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead “Colossians 2:12
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God‟s plan since beginning was known in many ways. There are many signs in The Old Testament about these three days in a way that make us worship and glorify this Holy Bible. 51- When Ibrahim offered Isaac as a sacrifice, they reached place of sacrifice after three days. “On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off”, G 22:4. So Isaac was dead in Ibrahim conscious for three days and in The Third day, he returned Alive. 2- Joseph interpretations for guards dreams he said to the king‟s chief butler dream “Then Joseph said to him, "This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days; 13 within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office; and you shall place Pharaoh's cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his butler”, G 40:12-13Then Joseph interpretations for chief Baker
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The three days were symbol representing resurrection of The Christ, by which some saved from hell to Heaven. The chief butler was saved and went back to his rank, where chief baker was damned. Some understand this is similar to The Lord on the cross between two thieves, one saved and the other damned. When Joseph brothers came to Egypt, he wanted to warn them their sin “And he put them all together in prison for three days”, G 42:17. Why exactly three days, so to be prisoners, similar to those were in hill and The Lord Jesus Christ returned them through his death and Holy Resurrection. So Joseph called them from prison after three days. When Moses went to Pharaohs requesting him to release his people, he said “The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, we pray you, let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God”, Ex 3:18. Why exactly three days, so it is a sign to enjoy The resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ and his sacrifice When The Lord strike Egypt with Darkness, it was for three days “So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days” Ex 10:22 Then Light came back, referring to The Lord Death, then The light of his Holy Resurrection. When Israelis crossed red sea “Then Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur; they went three days” Ex 15:22, as beginning of our life journey, The Holy Spirit teach us that we will walk in the spiritual life with The Power of The Lord Holy Resurrection. When The Lord came down on Sinai Mountain to speak to The Profit Moses in front of all Israelis, The Lord asked Israelis to prepare for three days “and be ready by the third day; for on the third day the LORD will
When we greet one another with the famous Easter greeting Christ is risen; He is truly Risen, we make a statement that shakes the very basis of our heart and our conduct in life. St Paul writes to the Colossians and says “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God” (3:1). To us who believe in the resurrection of Christ, it means that our attention is on Him and on heavenly things. In orthodox baptism, a person is totally immersed in the holy water, as the water closes over that person it‟s as if they are buried. We are buried with Christ in Baptism. And when that person comes out of the water, on the third time we say that they have been raised with Christ.
A Christian raises from Baptism a different person. The difference is that they are dead to the world and the lusts thereof. That person‟s outlook is totally concerned with the things above, with the mystery to come and with the eternal instead of the temporal. Did you know that part of the benediction of the Litany of the Oblations says: We ask God to remember those who have laboured for the good of the Church and the congregation (wether in thought or deed; little or much; hidden or manifest) we ask that they be rewarded with heavenly recompense. They labour and give on earth, but it‟s with a heart and eyes that gaze on the things above. The trivial things of the earth are exchanged for the substantial and eternal things of heaven.Imagine; walking on earth, participating in every daily activity, as the commandment says;
But in so doing, your heart, mind and vision is set on the things above. If we truly believe in the resurrection then the normal daily activities, our relationships with others, even our view or our order of priorities are all different, set on that which is above. In the same passage, St Pauls says “and your life is hidden with Christ in God”. The Greek word is κέκρυπται, pronounced kekryptai and it may be taken as concealed or invested in Christ or even covered over by Christ (remember the Thanksgiving prayer . . .for you have covered us …). So much so that St. John the Beloved says in his epistle that “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). Here it is. If we set our hearts on things above; because we are buried and resurrected in Baptism, then the certainty of the resurrection of Christ opens up for us a whole new dimension to life and our existence; one that says we are above the world. That is why the world does not recognise the deed of the Christians as the way it should be. This same passage in Colossians puts for us a beautiful new standard that the believer in the Resurrection has. Christ our Life. This is the peak of deep devotion and we can only imperfectly express. This is the view from the top of the mountain of Faith, Hope and Love. That Christ becomes our life and we can say
The Resurrection of our Lord isn‟t only an event in history. It isn‟t only about the amazing work of Christ to save our souls from eternal damnation. The Resurrection of our Lord opens for us a new life; to have life and have it more abundantly (john 10:10).
come upon us and the ridicule of such minority groups who are attempting to cause an imbalance and defile the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman as how God created humans to live? We cannot gain eternal life my brethren by being innocent bystanders. We hear His message and we must act upon it and defend it faithfully. Never forget that He shed His pure Blood for you in order for you to attain eternity. Let us not betray Him now on such crucial issues that are very close to home here in Australia and do not be afraid to speak the truth with the love that Christ taught us. Saint Paul sums up what it means to live and die by saying, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) He is saying to us to place Christ in the centre of everything we do, we live for Him and Him alone. When we pass from this life, for the unbeliever it may seem to be the end, but for us who have faith, it is the beginning of a marvelous life with the Lord. Saint Paul continues to say, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body…” (Philippians 3:20‐21) In his book on the Resurrection, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III teaches us saying, “When God created man, He gave him something eternal – the spirit. Man dies but his spirit does not perish but remains alive. In this way, man differs from other creatures which live on earth because their live are annihilated and come to an end. Man, by the resurrection, begins another new, endless life. In this way, man‟s
degree and his preference to other earthly creatures appear.” His Holiness continues to say that God, “… gives every man a new standing according to the purity of both heart and thought and according to his carrying out God‟s commandments and to what extent he could establish the good and love among people and also, according to his love and strong desire towards God”. In his Festal letter to us in 2008 His Holiness wrote saying, “Truly, the resurrection of the Lord Christ was a deposit towards our resurrection and the first‐fruits of it (I Corinthians 15:20). While we rejoice in the glory of His resurrection, we also rejoice for what will be ours in likeness of this glory, but each one according to his order. Let us all then live the life that qualifies us for this glory, knowing that as we get deeper in the spiritual life, the more our glory increases in the eternal life. For all people in eternity will not be of the one rank, but as the Apostle said, „for one star differs from another star in glory.‟ (I Corinthians 15:41) We pray to the risen Lord to grant us to be worthy of experiencing eternal life with Him. We also pray that the Lord may grant us all peace, hope and comfort and repose the pure soul of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and choose the righteous shepherd to shepherd His flock in peace according to the will of God. Asking for your prayers that the Lord will continue to strengthen me to serve you all with love, wisdom and righteousness. With very blessing, be absolved through the Holy Spirit.
beautiful abode that the Lord is preparing for those who love His Holy Name and live by His word.
Dear beloved brethren, both clergy and laity of the Christ‐loving Diocese of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions, Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! Wishing you all a blessed Feast of the Resurrection. Praying that this Feast will be a source of comfort and hope for each one of you. We celebrate this Feast this year for the first time whilst mourning and remembering our holy father His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, who departed to the Paradise on the 17th of March, 2012. Our comfort is that His Holiness is celebrating with the saints and is no longer suffering from the pains of the flesh and that he is interceding on our behalf before the risen Lord. The resurrection of Christ my brethren, guides us to eternal life, for it is our hope. We need to work towards this goal of attaining eternal life every day. We can gain a small glimpse of eternal life by leading a true holy and spiritual life with the risen Christ whilst we are still on earth. Saint Paul says, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face…” (1 Corinthians 13:12) Now we have glimpses of this
The Lord says to the Jews after healing the man at the Pool of Bethesda, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” (John 5:24) In order to attain this everlasting life one must not only hear the words of Christ and believe in the Father, for many have heard the message and brush it aside. Hence, one must listen attentively, believe and act on the received word of Christ and live by it in his or her daily living. Knowing the risen Christ is not just by listening but by experiencing Him in everyday you live on this earth. You will experience Him and feel His presence in your life when you become Christ‐ like. You become Christ‐like when you live His commandments, and not merely read them and trust in His word. The rich young ruler came to ask the Lord, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “… if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:16‐17) He had known them since a young age but was not practically living by them and that is why he did not benefit from the commandments. The Word of God is a great gift given to us by God, a gift given for our own benefit, peace of mind and spiritual joy that is unsurpassed in the world. When our current government of Australia attempts to pass laws that go against God‟s commandments, such as legalizing gay marriage, this is when we can show practically what our stand towards God‟s commandments is. Do we speak the truth in love and follow the laws of God or do we fear the attacks that will
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Arch Angel Michael
Saint Anthony