Showing results by author "Bishoy Boshra Behnam" in All Categories

THE CHURCH AS AN ICON OF HEAVEN The epistle of St. Paul the apostle to the Ephesians is similar to an invitation given to each believer to be taken up to the third heaven, so we can elevate our hearts and say with St. Paul: "I know a man in Christ… whether in the body, I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows - such a one was caught up to the third heaven… He was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words which it is not lawful for a man to utter" (2 Corinth 12:2-4). What did he see but the Church, the pledge of the Heavenly Jerusalem, people's ...

From the inspiration of St. Basil the great on the Feast of the Holy Epiphany: - Baptisms of Moses, of John the Baptist and of the Lord Jesus - My Holy Spirit will guide you to the new birth - I received you that I may cover you and become your Goodness, your holiness and your salvation - The Father loves you!

Our Youth, both in Egypt and abroad, experience many emotions and have great potentials. They are in need of someone who can enter their world and offer support without imposing on them and affecting their personalities. They need someone who can understand their innermost secrets without bias or prejudice. They need someone who reciprocates their love and appreciates their emotions and values. They need someone to support them without being an obstacle to their growth and to guide them without usurping the right of steering their own lives. This book discusses the following topics: 1. ...

This series is an invitation into a living encounter with the Word of God, not as distant history, but as a personal journey of transformation. From the beginning of creation to the voice of the prophets, each book of Scripture reveals one continuous truth: God is lovingly guiding your life toward Him. Written in a simple and joyful spirit, this five-book series walks step by step through the Old Testament, uncovering: God’s plan in every stage of life The meaning behind struggles, waiting, and restoration The presence of Christ as the centre of all Scripture This is not a study of ...

Dogmas are the interpretation of our experience of God, in the Crucified and Risen Jesus Christ. This experience through the ages does not alter, for Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8). The disciples and apostles (and bishops afterwards) did not sit around a table and agree to teach new dogmas, but rather they preached their Christian experience. As St. John says, "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you" (1 John 1:3). Thus, all Christian dogmas produced are the church's experience of the Crucified and Risen Christ. "Truth" and "Love" at the...

This series is an invitation into a living encounter with the Word of God, not as distant history, but as a personal journey of transformation. From the beginning of creation to the voice of the prophets, each book of Scripture reveals one continuous truth: God is lovingly guiding your life toward Him. Written in a simple and joyful spirit, this five-book series walks step by step through the Old Testament, uncovering: God’s plan in every stage of life The meaning behind struggles, waiting, and restoration The presence of Christ as the centre of all Scripture This is not a study of ...

The Family and Friends The Book of Ben Sirach may be considered a book of wisdom based on God's precepts and intended for practicing a life that is pleasing to Him. The book carefully examines the relationships between men and women, especially those between the couple, the family members, and connections between friends. Amazingly, it deals with some issues that date back to about 2200 years, yet these writings continue to be helpful and applicable up to the present day. Marriage or family life is the basis upon which society is founded. If it is dissolved, the corporation is dissolved ...

God created man in His image as the most perfect of His creation on earth. He did not plan to leave the man in Paradise alone, but to embrace him as His beloved, and to grant mankind unity with Him. God used to speak with Adam for it was written, "... and they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden." (Gen. 3:8). Similarly, God started a dialogue with the first patriarch, Abraham, to declare to him His divine plan, saying, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing?" (Gen. 18:17). God, who is incomprehensible, reveals Himself, His nature, His mysteries, and His will to His ...

Saint John Chrysostom says: [Prayer is a mighty weapon, an unfailing treasure, a wealth which is never expended, a harbor that is always calm, a foundation for tranquility. Prayer is the root and source and mother of ten thousand blessings. It is more powerful than the empire itself.] This book presents 10 prayers from the prayers of the saints: St. Ephraim the Syrian, Spiritual Elder (St. John Saba), St. Isaac the Syrian, St. Ambrose and St. Augustine.

The fruit of keeping God's commandment, with all the heart and soul faithfully and abiding by the divine covenant, is that the believers become a special people and that God elevates His people and sanctifies them: "And that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken." (Deut. 26: 19). God elevates their names, so they are attached to His great name. Heaven and earth are astonished for the honor and the splendor they have in the Lord, and He sanctifies them to become...

To our Beloved Children: What do you know about historical books? To know the Judges' era in the Old Testament, we have to know the various historical stages from the standpoint of the salvation of mankind. 1. The creation stage: The book of Genesis talked to us about the creation to realize how God granted man authority and power to learn and explore until the modern man reached outer space. 2. The renewal stage: Since the creation was defiled, there was only one righteous family, which was Noah, his sons and their wives. God asked them to renew the world through the ark and the flood. 3. ...

This series is an invitation into a living encounter with the Word of God, not as distant history, but as a personal journey of transformation. From the beginning of creation to the voice of the prophets, each book of Scripture reveals one continuous truth: God is lovingly guiding your life toward Him. Written in a simple and joyful spirit, this five-book series walks step by step through the Old Testament, uncovering: God’s plan in every stage of life The meaning behind struggles, waiting, and restoration The presence of Christ as the centre of all Scripture This is not a study of ...

I dare to talk about Divine Love, to find myself talking about 'God' Himself, because "God is love" (1 John 8:4). Thus, I challenged myself to write about matters of which I do not deserve to speak. There are no human languages, not even angelic, capable of explaining it, for no one knows Godly affairs except the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:11). Let the Spirit of God help us to feel His presence in the depths of our hidden hearts and to open our eyes in recognition of the dimensions of unlimited Divine love. These dimensions cannot be expressed in words or letters nor measured by any ...

Step into the spiritual wisdom of the beloved Apostle, St. John. John. This New Testament Patristic Commentary Series volume delves into the timeless truths of love, truth, and vigilance against deceit, offering a pathway to deepen their relationship with Christ and His Church. In this commentary, the gentle yet powerful voice of St. John the Beloved resonates, calling us to abide in love that springs from the truth—Christ Himself. This epistle, uniquely addressed to a “chosen lady and her children,” reminds us of the unity and equality we share in Christ, who unites us beyond ...

Christ’s resurrection is not a day that we celebrate, then ends. But it is a life with Christ, who is the resurrection. We live it all the days of our pilgrimage in the midst of our suffering, until we are released to and through Him, to dwell with Him in the Heavenly Jerusalem to enjoy the fellowship of His Glory.

Unlock the ancient wisdom of the Patristic Fathers with this commentary on the Book of Haggai. Discover how their insights reveal the deep spiritual layers of this Old Testament Book, guiding us to rebuild not just physical temples but the temple within our hearts. This volume of the series offers a profound journey into the messages of divine priority and inner sanctification. Embrace a path to spiritual renewal and joyous salvation with this compelling read.

This series is an invitation into a living encounter with the Word of God, not as distant history, but as a personal journey of transformation. From the beginning of creation to the voice of the prophets, each book of Scripture reveals one continuous truth: God is lovingly guiding your life toward Him. Written in a simple and joyful spirit, this five-book series walks step by step through the Old Testament, uncovering: God’s plan in every stage of life The meaning behind struggles, waiting, and restoration The presence of Christ as the centre of all Scripture This is not a study of ...

The Ancestors of Israel Glorify God A Poem Dedicated to the Heroes of the Faith glorifying God across history The roots of wisdom are found in the people of God and are mentioned in the Old Testament. Wisdom spread to all nations through the Incarnate Word of God, who offers wisdom and salvation to all humankind. It is only through union with the Lord Jesus Christ that we receive true wisdom, for He is the Incarnated Wisdom of God. He protects His believers from sin and grants them eternal life. Ben Sirach does not mention all the famous ancestors. Instead, he wishes to assert that every ...

Every child of God experiences the virginity of the soul, heart, and thought. He /she could be married, or be consecrated to minister and serve, or devoted to research and study, or committed to the priesthood and shepherding. In essence, virginity is the fellowship, union, and adherence to the heavenly Groom, the Lord of Glory Jesus Christ who is the object of God’s pleasure. Moreover, virginity denotes the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of every sincere and earnest believer who enjoys the work of the Holy Trinity in his/her life. The writings of St. Jacob of Serugh, and his ...

Explore the depths of the New Testament through the lens of the Coptic Orthodox tradition in this commentary. That work bridges contemporary readers to the patristic era, offering a unique blend of ancient wisdom and practical guidance for modern spiritual lives. In "The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy," we delve into the heart of pastoral ministry and the apostolic spirit that shaped the early Christian Church. As St. Paul's last written words before his martyrdom, this epistle is a testament to his enduring legacy and his charge to his beloved disciple, St. Timothy. With ...