The Persecuted Christians in Egypt - مسيحيو مصر المضطهدين

The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church under the leadership of Pope Shenouda III met with seventy in attendance on Monday October 10, 2011 in the Papal residence in Cairo, Egypt to discuss the events of the prior day in front of Maspiro where at least 24 of our beloved children have been killed and at least 200 have been injured.

We ascertain that our Christian faith doesn't allow us to use violence of any kind. But we also know that strangers implanted themselves among our children and committed acts that are more suited to their morals. Coptic Christians feel that their problems are always being repeated without accountability and without the due justice of the law.

The Holy Synod invites all Coptic Christians to fast and pray for three days beginning Tuesday October 12, 2011 that God may bring his peace to our beloved country of Egypt.

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Articles by Fr. Abraam Sleman of the Coptic Church of St. Mark, Jersey City, NJ

• Salvation of the Egyptian People ( خلاص الشعب المصرى )
• Saul and the Massacre of Maspiro ( شاول و مذبحة ماسبيرو)
• Christians of Egypt in the Den of Lions ( مسيحيو مصر في جب الأسود)
• Who Can Save the persecuted in Egypt ( من يخلص المسيحيين المضطهدين في مصر؟ )

"O my soul, my soul! I am pained in my very heart! My heart makes a noise in me…" (Jeremiah 4:19, NKJV). "For the hurt of the daughter of my people I am hurt. I am mourning; Astonishment has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead, Is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery for the health of the daughter of my people?" (Jeremiah 8:21-22, NKJV).

There are many calls in many ways to try to find a way out of the current crisis of tribulations, but we should be aware and believe that God alone is the Savior, and there is no use of doing anything without His personal intervention. The Lord says in the Book of Isaiah: "I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior." (Isaiah 43:11). "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 'For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.' Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:2-3).

Continued... Read

Happy Coptic New Year - Year of the Martyrs

"Because those who see us die, wonder why we do, for we die like the men you revere, not like slaves or criminals. And when they find out, they join us." (Tertullian, 2nd Century Apologetic).

Happy Coptic New Year to you. On this first day of the Coptic New Year, the Year of the Martyrs, 1728, the church commemorates the faithfulness of these men, woman and children martyrs, whose blood indeed became the "seed of the Church" (Apologeticum, 1, Tertullian).


Resources

• The Coptic Calendar
• Nayrouz Hymns

Exclusive Interview with Cantor Ibrahim Ayad

Tasbeha.org had the chance to conduct an exclusive interview with Cantor Ibrahim Ayad who leads the cathedral chorus and teaches at several hymn institutes. The interview was broadcast live online on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 8pm EST.

Watch archived interview:

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4

Press Release from H.H. Pope Shenouda III regarding January 25th Revolution

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III met with a small committee from the members of the Holy Synod on Tuesday morning 15th February 2011, and they issued the following statement:

The Coptic Church salutes the honest Egyptian youth, the youth of 25th January, who led Egypt in a strong peaceful revolution, in which precious blood was shed, the blood of the martyrs of the nation who were honoured by Egypt's leaders and army, and also honoured by all the people and ourselves. We offer our condolences to their families and relatives.

The Coptic Church pays tribute to the valiant Egyptian army, and also pays tribute to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces for what it has issued of official statements regarding the security of Egypt both internally and externally. We support its decision in dissolving the People's Assembly and the Shura (Consultative) Council, and its call for security to reign.

We all believe that Egypt must be a democratic and civil nation, choosing members of its parliament through free and fair elections, having representatives from all facets of the people. We support all of Egypt in its fight against poverty, corruption and unemployment, resisting anarchy and destruction, and for the foundation of security and safety, the principles of social justice, and the unity of nationalism, and the curtailing of corrupt and unlawful people. And the Coptic Church prays for the great Egypt, which has a glorious history and ancient civilization, and we hope that the Lord will keep Egypt safe and spread in it calmness, stability, security and prosperity.


H.H. Pope Shenouda III
Pope of Alexanderia and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark
Head of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church

Original Release:
http://www.epsajee.com/jpg/A_Statement_from_HH_Pope_Shenouda_IIIE.jpg
http://www.copticpope.org/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=310

A Message of Hope to the People of Egypt

We pray for Egypt in its time of turmoil and extend this message of hope to all.

English

Arabic

Overcoming Current Tribulations by Fr. Abraam Sleman

Read arabic and english articles.

How Do We Confront Feelings of Fear by Rev. Fr. Tadros Malaty (Arabic)

Interview with H.H. Pope Shenouda III Discussing Response to the Coptic Massacre in Alexandria

Pray for the Peace of the Coptic Christian Church of Egypt

We share in sadness of Coptic and Christians worldwide for the murder of innocent Copts at the church of the Saints in Alexandria Egypt. We pray for the repose of their souls and for the healing to the injured. We pray for the peace of Christians in Egypt.