The Coptic month of Kiahk is characterized by extended versions of the midnight psalmody called “Seven and Four” (saaba wa arbaa in Arabic) which refer to the four canticles and seven Theotokias (i.e. hymns relating to St. Mary). During this month, children are excited to spend the night at church and adults are eager to chant some of their favorite hymns of year. I am astonished every year by those who brave the cold weather and long hours of this midnight vigil out of their desire to praise our awesome God and the beautiful Theotokos St. Mary.   As we prepare to celebrate the glorious Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, I would like to share a few encouraging thoughts regarding the importance and necessity of keeping vigils. 

Purity is the light of our eyes and the garment of our betrothal to our heavenly Bridegroom, our sweet Lord Jesus.   We have to be sure my brethren, that if we desire the life of purity, God will grant it to us.

+ Icons are not just religious portrayal as a means to awaken feelings, but they are also a way through which God is revealed to men. Through icon, we visualize the spiritual world.

Last Sunday, November 20th was the last prayer for the Bethel congregation in their church building before leaving to join another Lutheran Church in Palatine. They invited us to come and join them, so they could pray for us and officially pass on the church to us. We prayed an early liturgy in St. Mary's as we announced before, and went to join them at 10 am.

The words “confess” or “confession” are words commonly found in the Bible and in our prayers. These words can have different meanings depending on the context, so it is worthwhile for us to review these different meanings together:

I received this question: What is the opinion of the church if a non-married girl got impregnated by a non-Christian man? Is not abortion the solution to that problem?

4- Why does the Orthodox Church

3- Why do Orthodox Christians use candles in worship?

Faith is the foundation for worship, or said another way, worship is the fruit of one’s faith. Just as every tree can be recognized by its fruit, Orthodox dogma can be recognized and understood through orthodox worship.

Quietly looking down, she went into the Temple. She was very embarrassed as she took out all the money she had – just two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Once she threw them into the big brass bowl, she went to a far corner in her poor old clothes, lifted her heart up to God and said, “Lord, this is all that I have! This is my whole life and I offer it to You. Please accept it and forgive me my sins.”

We continue in this article:

One of the more dangerous extreme movements in our current times is the movement led by Atef Aziz. Atef Aziz started as dedicated servant in the church in Asyut, but when he started to exhibit his extreme views and practices, H.E. the late Metropolitan Mikhail sent him and his group away in 1985, so his group went to Cairo.