Fasting

One should not think 

about the doings of God when one’s stomach is full; 

on a full stomach there can be no vision 

of the Divine mysteries.

St. Seraphim of Sarov

Fasting One should not think about the doings of God when one’s stomach is full; on a full stomach there can be no...
Posted by Australian Copts on Wednesday, June 24, 2015

No Fear

Though an host should encamp against me, 

my heart shall not fear: 

though war should rise against me, 

in this will I be confident.
Psalm 27:3

It is simple-minded to think we can be forever rid of all our fears. As a matter of fact, some fear is healthy. God-given response to danger. However, when we clutch our fears and dwell on them, this is unhealthy. 

Carrying fears like a "security blanket" is detrimental to peace. But here is an amazing observation: some people do not want to let go of their fears. In a strange sort of way they enjoy the attention they receive from others when they remain fearful. 

What they do not realize is that peace of mind continues to elude them. Only by putting away growing apprehension can one escape total slavery to fear. Once freed from the chains of trepidation, the joys of confident peace can gallop through the soul.

No Fear Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this...
Posted by Australian Copts on Thursday, June 18, 2015

The Narrow Gate

Remember that the narrow gate leads 

to the kingdom of heaven. 

If you see the wide gate open before you, 

escape and keep away from it, 

as all those who go in by it, 

have perished.

H. H. Pope Shenouda III
117th Pope of Alexandria

The Narrow Gate Remember that the narrow gate leads to the kingdom of heaven. If you see the wide gate open before...
Posted by Australian Copts on Sunday, June 7, 2015

Honesty

Struggle to be honest in your work and look out for the tricks of the enemy of good. Be obedient and submissive to your Magistrates even if they have impolite manner. Keep hold of humility because the one who humbles himself will be exalted and loved by both God and people.

Pope Saint (St. Abba Cyril VI) Kyrillos VI
116th Pope of Alexandria

Struggle to be honest in your work and look out for the tricks of the enemy of good. Be obedient and submissive to your...
Posted by Fathers Sayings on Saturday, June 6, 2015

Living With The Holy Spirit

Everything that breathes, breathes by air and cannot live without air; similarly all reasonable free creatures live by the Holy Spirit, as though by air, and cannot live without Him. “Every soul is quickened by the Holy Spirit.” Recognize that the Holy Spirit stands in the same relation to your soul as air stands in relation to your body.

St. John of Kronstadt

Living With The Holy Spirit Everything that breathes, breathes by air and cannot live without air; similarly all...
Posted by Australian Copts on Wednesday, June 3, 2015

The Sweetness of The Holy Spirit

Filled with love, the holy Apostles went into the world, preaching salvation to mankind and fearing nothing, for the Spirit of God was their strength. When St. Andrew was threatened with death upon the cross if he did not stay his preaching he answered: ‘If I feared the cross I should not be preaching the Cross.”

In this manner all the other Apostles, and after them the martyrs and holy men who wrestled against evil, went forward with joy to meet pain and suffering. For the Holy Spirit, sweet and gracious, draws the soul to love the Lord, and in the sweetness of the Holy Spirit the soul loses her fear of suffering.

St. Silouan the Athonite

The Sweetness of The Holy SpiritFilled with love, the holy Apostles went into the world, preaching salvation to...
Posted by Australian Copts on Sunday, May 31, 2015

The Comforter

The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who fills the whole universe, passes through all believing, meek, humble, good, and simple human souls, dwelling in them, vivifying and strengthening them. 

He becomes one spirit with them and everything to them – light, strength, peace, joy, success in their undertakings, especially in a pious life, and everything good – “going through all understanding, pure and most subtle spirits” (Wisdom of Solomon 7: 23). “We have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (I Cor. 12:13). All pious people are filled with the Spirit of God similarly as a sponge is filled with water. 

St. John of Kronstadt

The Comforter The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who fills the whole universe, passes through all believing, meek,...
Posted by ‎Australian Copts أقباط استراليا‎ on Sunday, May 31, 2015