Monasticism was born in Egypt and was instrumental in the formation of the Coptic Church's character of submission and humbleness. Thanks to the teachings and writings of the Great Fathers of Egypt's Deserts. Monasticism began in the Coptic Church towards the end of the third century, and flourished in the fourth. By the end of the fourth century, there were hundreds of monasteries, and thousands of cells and caves scattered throughout the Egyptian hills. Many of these monasteries are still flourishing and have new vocations till this day.
Saint Anthony, the world's first Christian monk was a Copt from Upper Egypt. Saint Pachom, who established the rules of monasticism, was a Copt. And, Saint Paul, the world's first anchorite is also a Copt. Other famous Coptic desert fathers include Saint Makarios, Saint Moses the Black, and Saint Mina the wondrous. Saint John Cassian said that the traveler from Alexandria in the north to Luxor in the south would have in his ears along the whole journey, the sounds of prayers and hymns of the monks, scattered in the desert, from the monasteries and from the caves, from monks, hermits and anchorites. For the monks, monasticism was the life of prayer, contemplation, solitude, worship and purity of heart. They had nothing in their minds, hearts and feelings except God alone. They lived the calm and quiet life abiding in the Lord, detaching themselves from everything and everyone, to be attached to Him alone. The more contemporary desert fathers include the late Pope Cyril VI and his disciple Bishop Mina Abba Mina.
Effects of Coptic Monasticism on the World
Coptic Monasticism is considered the most profound spiritual revival in the history of the Church. The news of the spiritual life of the monks spread everywhere. They did not write about themselves- there is no Coptic history about the Coptic monks. But people came from everywhere in order to hear a word from one of the monks, and to take it as a word of spiritual guidance and benefit throughout their life. Saint Palladius visited many monks and wrote his famous book, the `Paradise of the Fathers', from which we learnt about these holy fathers, who neither spoke nor wrote, but kept silent. They were not preachers but they were living sermons, they were examples of the true life, they were the image of God on earth. They influenced monasticism in the world.
An excellent video
The Saints in the Coptic Church
The Saints are dear members in the One Body of Christ who have struggled like us on earth and have departed to Paradise. They are not dead, but are sleeping, as St. Paul called them “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.” (1 Thess 4:13).
The Saints in Paradise are the triumphant members of the same one church in which we are militant members. We, the triumphant and militants, are members of the Church, which is the one Body of our Lord Jesus Christ. They departed from earth, but did not leave the church; their love toward their brothers did not cease by their departure and dwelling in Paradise. The worship of Saints is expressly forbidden by the Church; however asking for their intercessions is central in any Coptic service. Their prayers for the salvation of the entire world never cease. They pray for us, and we honor them as they are our holy and dear friends.
ST MOUSA THE BLACK
Any Coptic Church is named after a Patron Saint. We esteem the icons of saints and put them on the iconostasis. Church walls and doors are hung with icons, also our homes, etc., as a sign of our communion with them in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Among all Saints, the Virgin Saint Mary (Theotokos) occupies a special place in the heart of all Copts. Other saints include martyrs like St. Mark, St. Mina, St. George, St. Mercurius (Known as Abu-sefein, or the one with two swords); monks like St. Anthony, St. Macarius, St. Bakhomious, Saints Maximus and Domitius, St. Moses the Black; Popes and bishops such as St. Athanasius the Apostolic, St. Dioscorus, St. Gregory, St. Cyril and many others
Coptic Saints Slideshow: Church’s trip from Cairo, Egypt to was created by TripAdvisor. See another Egypt slideshow. Create your own stunning slideshow with our free photo slideshow maker.
Feasts
The Coptic feasts have deep and sweet hymns, and splendid rites that inflame the spirit. Their aim is to offer the living heavenly and evangelic thought and to expose the Holy Trinity and Their redeeming work in the life of the church, in a way that is simple enough to be experienced by children, and: deep enough to quench the thirst of theologians.
In our Coptic church we celebrate 7 major feasts and 7 minor feasts. In addition, we also celebrate 3 monthly feasts, a weekly feast, and the feasts of Saints. The following is a list and brief caption denoting the different feasts
The Seven Major feasts
1-The Annunciation In it we recall the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, and the attainment which the men of God had longed for across the ages, namely the coming of the Word of God incarnated in the Virgin's womb (Matt. 13:17).
2- The Nativity of Christ (Christmas) Its aim is to confirm the divine love, when God sent His Only - begotten Son incarnate. Thus, He restored to humanity her honor, and sanctified our daily life, offering His life as a Sacrifice on our behalf.
3- The Epiphany or the Baptism of Christ In this feast, the liturgy of blessing the water is conducted, and the priest blesses the people by the water on their foreheads and hands to commemorate baptism. This feast also reminds us that by His incarnation He became a true man while He still being the Only-begotten Son of God, and by baptism we became children of God in Him while we are human being.
4- Palm Sunday: It is the Sunday which precedes Easter. It has its characteristic joyful hymns (the Shannon - Hosanna (Matt. 21:9), and its delightful rite. The church commemorates the entrance of our Lord Jesus into our inward Jerusalem to establish His Kingdom in us and gather all in Him.
5- Easter (The Christian Pascha or Passover): It is preceded by Great Lent (55 days) and is considered by the Coptic Church as the Feast." Its delight continues for fifty days until the Pentecost. Easter is also essentially celebrated on every Sunday by the participation in a sacrament of the Eucharist. For the church wishes that all believers may enjoy the new risen life in Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:4).
6- Ascension: It is celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter Is on a Thursday. In this feast we recall Him who raises and lifts us up to sit with Him in heaven (Eph. 2:6).
7- Pentecost: It represents the birthday of the Christian Church. When the Only-begotten Son paid the price for her salvation, He ascended heaven to prepare a place for her. He sent His Holy Spirit in her, offering her existence, guidance, sanctification and adornment as the Heavenly Bride. On this day, the church conducts three sets of prayers, called "Kneeling," during which incense and prayers are offered on behalf of the sick, the travelers, the winds, and it gives special attention to the dormant, as a sign of her enjoying the communion and unity with Christ that challenges even death.
The Seven Minor Feasts
1- The Circumcision of our Lord: It is celebrated on the eighth day after Christmas, by which we remember that the Word of God who gave us the Law, He Himself was subjected to this Law, fulfilling it, to grant us the power to fulfill the Law in a spiritual manner.
2- The Entrance of our Lord into the Temple: We remember that the Word of God became man and does not want us to be careless about our lives, but to set our goals early since childhood. Thus we have to work and fulfill our goals regardless of people related to us, in spite of our love and obedience to them (Luke 2:24).
3- The Escape of the Holy family to Egypt: The Coptic Church is distinguished among all nations with this unique divine work, by the coming of our Lord to Egypt among the Gentiles.
4- The First Miracle of our Lord Jesus at Cana: Our Lord changed the water into wine, as His first miracle, at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, confirming His eagerness for our attaining the heavenly wedding, and granting us the wine of His exceeding love.
5- The Transfiguration of Christ: The unity of the two testaments was manifested in this feast, for Moses and Elijah assembled together with Peter, James and John. The glory of our Lord was revealed to satisfy every soul who rises up with Him to the mountain of Tabor to enjoy the brightness of His Glory.
6- Maundy Thursday: This is the Thursday of the Holy week. In it we commemorate the establishment of the Sacrament of Eucharist by our Lord Jesus, when He offered His Body and Blood as the living and effective sacrifice, capable of sanctifying our hearts, granting us the victorious and eternal life. This is the only day of the Holy Week in which Sacrifice of the Eucharist is offered, and the rite of washing the feet is practiced in commemoration of what Christ did for His disciples.
7- Thomas's Sunday: This is the Sunday that follows Easter; In it we bless those who believe without seeing so that all might live in faith through the internal touch of the Savior's wounds (John 20:29).
The Monthly Feasts
The believers joyfully celebrate the commemoration of the Annunciation, Nativity and Resurrection of Christ on the 29th of every Coptic month, the commemoration of St. Mary on the 21st and the feast of Archangel Michael on the 12th.
The weekly feast
Every Sunday stands as a true Sabbath (rest), in which we find our rest in the resurrection of Christ. There is no abstention from food on Sundays after the celebration of the Eucharist, even during Great Lent
complete Coptic Liturgy in English
Feasts of the Saints
There is almost a daily feast, so that the believers may live in perpetual joy and in communion with the saints.
1- The Feasts of St. Mary: The Coptic Church venerates St. Mary as the "Theotokos," i.e., the Mother of God, whom the Divine Grace chose to bear the Word of God in her womb by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35). Since she is considered to be the exemplary member in the church, and the interceding mother on behalf of her spiritual children, she is exalted above heavenly and earthly creatures. Therefore, the church does not cease glorifying (blessing) her, and celebrating her feasts in order that we imitate her and ask her intercessions on our behalf Her main feasts are:
The annunciation of her birth
Her Nativity
Her Presentation into the Temple
Her Dormition
The Assumption of her body
Her apparition over the Church of Zeitoon
The apparition of her body to the Apostles
2- The Apostles' Feast: This is the feast of martyrdom of the Apostles SS. Peter and Paul. It is preceded by a fasting period which starts on the day following the Pentecost. In this feast, the liturgy of blessing the water takes place, in which the priest washes the feet of his people (men and children) commemorating what the Lord did for His disciples. Thus, the priest remembers that he is a servant who washes the feet of the people of God and not a man of authority.
3- The Nayrouz Feast: The word "Nayrouz" is Persian, meaning "the beginning of the year." The Egyptian calendar goes back to 4240 B.C. Copts restored the calendar with the beginning of Diocletian's reign in AD 284, to commemorate the millions of Coptic martyrs. His reign is considered a golden era in which the church offered true witnesses to Christ, when the souls of martyrs departed to paradise and kept shining as living stars therein.
4- The Two Feasts of the Cross: The first feast is on Tout 17, (c. September 27). It commemorates the dedication of the Church of the Holy Cross which was built by Queen Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine. The second feast is on Barmahat 10 (c. March 19) and commemorates the discovery of the Holy Cross on the hands of the same empress in A.D 326.
During these two feasts the church conducts a procession similar to that of Palm-Sunday and uses the same tone in chanting (Shannon-Hosanna), to announce that the cause of her joy with the Cross is the open
the second video is the Coptic Gregorian Liturgy from Baramous Monastery and is around one hour, forty five minutes
BACK TO THE MONASTIC THEME:
BACK TO THE MONASTIC THEME:
Father Lazarus, Coptic Monk in Egypt « blogcopte... por bichoking89
IMPORTANT LINKS
NEW COPTIC SAINT
ON LECTIO DIVINA
MONASTIC LIFE IN THE SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOXY AND MONASTIC TRADITION
HERMIT WITNESS (a Coptic Anchorite and Charles de Foucauld (videos)
SAYINGS OF THE DESERT FATHERS FROM COPTIC SOURCES
H.H. POPE SHENOUDA III OF ALEXANDRIA ON THE MONASTIC LIFE
ABBA SERAPHIM VISITS THE CARTHUSIAN MONASTERY OF PARKMINSTER
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1 comment:
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