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H.G. Bishop Metaous – Abbot of the monastery, together with the monastery’s monks would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.  On this joyous occasion we remember the wise men who came from afar, withstanding the long journey in order to see our Lord Jesus Christ.

They were full of love and they were longing to see the new born baby whom the star directed them to. They were very eager to see Him and they were indeed, the first of all nations to worship Him. We also recall, “…they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11) May the Lord grant us to offer Him even the least, and even the least would be very precious in His eyes, as long as we offer it with love.

May the Lord grant us to offer Him, no matter how small, and still it will cheer God’s humble heart. We will offer Him our resistance to sin, we will offer Him our repentance along with fruitful virtues. We will also offer the Lord all that we can in order to please Him. In return, the Lord will accept our gifts, just as He accepted those of the wise men. In conclusion, we can chant with all our hearts, “For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You.”   (1 chronicles 29:14)

As we celebrate these holy days, we ask the Lord to grant you and all your loved ones – health, happiness, and spiritual growth.

Holy Mass & Praises Time

Holy Mass & Praises Time

 

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Quiet Time Schedule

Essential conditions to spend a spiritual retreat in the monastery

To carry a legal proof of personality.

To be not less than 16 years of age.

To carry a letter from the recognition father directed to the Abbot or the father responsible for the retreat house.

To be punctual to the timings of the prayers, work and retreats in the retreat house.

The retreat period does not exceed three days.

Between a retreat and another, there should be a minimum period of 2 months.

Not to visit the Abbot or the monks fathers except with a permission from the father responsible for the retreat house.

To be calm in order to maintain and respect the sanctity of the place.

 

Virtual Tour

 

panorama

 

Newly Released

explain monastery

CDS – DVD about the Monastery of the Syrians with a simplified explanation of the history of the Monastery of the Virgin Mary (the Syrians). Beheira (AL Asakeet Desert) in the Wadi Natrun area of Egypt’s Western Desert.

I: Video and photos of the history of the Monastery of the Syrians, past and present.

II: Sections of the Monastery such as the entrance, the walls, the fort and the churches including the wall frescos from the archaeological museum and the rest of the Monastery.

III: Midnight Prayers on Sunday with the Holy Fathers of the Monastery.

IIII: Video of the Gregorian Mass for the Fathers in the Monastery.

We hope that watching and listening to these CDs will bring spiritual benefit and be a blessing to all.

We also hope that you will learn more about the liturgically and historical legacy of Coptic monasteries through the intercession of Saint Mary

 

The way to Egypt

A Documentary Film about

The flight of the Holy Family to Egypt

This film has been translated into twenty languages and is available for purchase at the monastery’s bookstore

Presented by

Bishop Mettaous

Abbot of the prosperous Syrian Monastery

Production by

St.Mary’s Monastery EL Sourian

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Baramhat 10, 1740 - March 19, 2024, Tuesday

(Feast of the Holy Cross)

Readings source: Tut 17

Vespers

Psalms 4:6-7, 8

6 Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. 7 You have put gladness in my heart.

8 For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. [NKJV] Alleluia

John 8:28-42

28 Then Jesus said to them, When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him. 30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered Him, We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, `You will be made free'? 34 Jesus answered them, Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38 I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father. 39 They answered and said to Him, Abraham is our father. Jesus said to them, If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41 You do the deeds of your father. Then they said to Him, We were not born of fornication; we have one Father--God. 42 Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. [NKJV] Glory is due to our God to the age of all ages. Amen

Matins

Psalms 60:4-5

4 You have given a banner to those who fear You, That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah 5 That Your beloved may be delivered, Save with Your right hand. [NKJV] Alleluia

John 12:26-36

26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. 27 Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? `Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name. Then a voice came from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it and will glorify it again. 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, An angel has spoken to Him. 30 Jesus answered and said, This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die. 34 The people answered Him, We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, `The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man? 35 Then Jesus said to them, A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light. [NKJV] Glory is due to our God to the age of all ages. Amen

Liturgy

1 Corinthians 1:17-31

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- 31 that, as it is written, He who glories, let him glory in the Lord. [NKJV] The Grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen

1 Peter 2:11-25

11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-- 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. [NKJV] Do not love the world, nor the things which are in the world. The world shall pass away and all its desires; but he who does the will of God shall abide forever. Amen

Acts 10:34-43

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all-- 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins. [NKJV] The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty and be confirmed in the holy church of God. Amen

Psalms 65:1-2

65:1 Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion; And to You the vow shall be performed. 2 O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come. [NKJV] Alleluia

John 10:22-38

22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. 30 I and My Father are one. 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me? 33 The Jews answered Him, saying, For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God. 34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, `I said, You are gods '? 35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, `You are blaspheming,' because I said, `I am the Son of God'? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him. [NKJV] Glory is due to our God to the age of all ages. Amen

Church Occasions

Read after the Liturgy's Gospel On Friday, the First Week of the Great Lent

By St. John Chrysostom (The Golden Mouth)

Read after the Liturgy's Bible

On Friday, the First Week of the Great Lent

Includes an exhortation to prayer with a definition of its essentials and methodology.

Inspired by the Evangelist's saying in the Bible's chapter:

"one of His disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray … Our Father, which art in heaven …" [Luke 11: 1-10]

In the speech our Lord the Christ gave on the mountain, He taught people the essentials of prayers and methodology, as well its benefits and necessity. He reprimanded the Jews and the nations for the defects they had introduced to it by saying: "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him" [Matthew 6: 5-8].

No one should then think that our Christ the Lord, by saying "But when you pray, go into your room" meant to abolish the group prayers which has been observed by the Jews and the Christians for a long time as mentioned in 1 Kings (1 Kings 8: 19-30) and in the Acts (Acts 1:25, 6:6 and 12:12). He was just interdicting showing off prayers, as can be understood from His saying: "for they love to pray … to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full" [Matthew 6:5]. We should also not misunderstand His saying: "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words…" [Matthew 6:7-8] as a prohibition of long prayers.

To the contrary, He is interdicting futile and long speeches as the nations and others do in these times, thinking that by babbling they will get what they want. Why did Jesus stay up all night then [Matthew 26:36-44], was it not to teach us? Why did He order us to pray and not be bored [Luke 18:1] and why did He say: "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation" [Mark 14:38]. It is because prayers open the door for all good things to happen; they are the reason for all salvations and the harbor from which we embark to Eternal Life. It is the best duty a man can perform for God, the best deed and the cornerstone of his life. It raises his soul and strengthens its union with God. All in all, prayers are a very great thing and nothing can be greater than a man's appeal to his Creator.

Prayers could consist of an invocation or praise. One could be invoking forgiveness, salvation, or asking for something. As for praise, it could be either for the sake of glorification, enjoyment, giving thanks, marveling, or courtesy. It varies according to the circumstances. The Evangelist tells us that the Lord was praying and when He was done, one of His disciples said to Him: "Lord teach us to pray…" and Jesus said: as for you when you pray say: "Our Father, which art in heaven …" which is the Lord's prayers. This concise and great prayer instated by the Lord to be an example for us while we implore Him.

It should also serve to measure our prayers and supplications. It consists of six requests: the first three are a form of praise, He said: "Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name.Your kingdom come,your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven". As for the last three, they consist of supplications as He says: "Give us this day our daily bread" which indicates a request and giving. He says: "and forgive us our sinsfor we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us" which is an imploration for forgiveness.He says: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" [Mark 11:1-4] as a form of appealing for aid. As for the final conclusion, it is a form of glorification: "For thine is the kingdom,and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever" [Matthew 6:13].

It is man's duty to implore God through prayers. He is drawnto it by nature and his emotions. All nations with different religions know prayers. There are many races and countries are far apart. You still, as evidence, see the relics of alters and ancient temples in all countries. It is no wonder since it is naturel for the sick one to seek a healer, the weak to seek the powerful and the needy to seek the rich.

Flesh-wise, a man is exposed to many calamities such as different diseases, hunger, thirst and others. As for the soul, it is exposed to its pains and all of its cravings which are the whims of sins and the inclinations to ugly desires such a anger, hatred, greed, envy, lust, adultery, hatred of good deeds, and longing for evil things. He is in constant war. With his weak will and powers, he has to ask for help which can only be given to him by God, who can only be reached through prayers. Accordingly, men need prayers as plants need water and bodies need life. He has to pray if he wishes to be saved. That is why our Lord Jesus, may He be glorified, said: "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" [Matthew 26:41].

God knows indeed all our needs before we ask for them. He however has made it so that He does not grant us something without prayers, for He said: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" [Matthew 7:7]. He who does not ask shall not be given, who does not request, shall not find, and the door shall not be opened for he who does not knock. By this, He wants us to know how attached we are to Him and how we should submit to Him while admitting our sins and His greatness, our weakness and His power, and our need of His help and grace. All the good we have is a benefaction by Him for: "He himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else" [Acts 17:25].

So pray dear ones so that you may not fall into temptation. Every person who is a sinner should pray to ask God to give him the gift of repentance, or else he shall die with his sin and perish. Pray whenever you are in danger of falling for a sin so that you may be saved from its evil. If Adam and Eve had prayed they would not have fallen. If Jonah had not prayed from inside the belly of the whale, he would not have been saved [Jonah 2:1-10]. It was with prayers that Prophet Elijah resuscitated the son of the Shunammite woman [2 Kings 4:1-37], that Daniel shut the mouth of the lions [Daniel 6:10-23], that the three young men annulled the power of the fire [Daniel 3:1-37]. It was with prayers that Elijah stopped the rain for three years and six months, then with prayers the heavens gave rain and the soil gave fruits [James 5:17-18]. It was with prayers that Eahodet managed to behead Alivana, the leader of the armies [Eahodet 13].

There are also many other miracles that demonstrate the need for prayers and how powerful they are, yet we did not mention them for the sake of brevity. You may reply to me by saying that all the ones I mentioned were saints and that is why God answered their prayers, I say to you that God also answers the prayers of repenting sinners. After having killed and committed adultery, David said before Prophet Nathan: "I have sinned against the Lord", and Nathan replied: "The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die" [2 Samuel 12: 12-13]. Manasseh the sinner prayed to the Lord who heard his plea and restored Jerusalem to his kingdom [2 Chronicles 33:1-13].

You should then, dear one, pray when you are blessed. If you are covered with sins, confess and repent because the prayer of the sinner who does not repent returns unanswered and even increases God's anger against him. The Apostle says that the sinners are crucifying the Son of God once again [Hebrews 6:6]. Is that how you want to be when approaching God to ask for something before repenting for your sin? I do not wish this upon anyone. I want your prayers to be complete, in the name of Jesus who said: "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son" [John 14:13]. It must be done with humbleness because the prayer of the humble one breaks through the skies and does not stop until it reaches heavens and does not perish until the Lord answers it [Joshua ben Sirach 35:21].

The genuine balm is only known by its sedimentation in the bottom, and so are the true prayers which are only recognized by the humbleness of their owner and his abandon of his pride. The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector is a great example for this [Luke 18:9-14]. Do people not know the common saying: you get as much as you give.

Some say: that I pray a lot and ask from God every day but still get nothing and that is why I stopped praying for it is useless and futile. Wait a minute man; do you not know that your prayers might be incomplete and unacceptable because you do not trust? The Apostle says: "the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord" [James 1: 6 and 8]. Maybe it is because God knows that what you are asking for shall bring you harm and not benefit you, and that is why your request was not answered, it is like the doctor who takes away from the patient what he knows will be detrimental to his health.

I know many who come to church to pray then go home without having reaped any benefits. They only attend with their bodies while letting their minds wonder away in worldly matters. Others raise their voices and pray loudly until they shake the place. Others mutter all their lives while praying. They go around noisily and without any order, as if walking and noise were parts of their prayers. To those I do not know what to say, as they are offending God while they think they are fulfilling their duty by praying to Him.

If you were standing before a commander who is as mortal as you to ask for something you needed,you would not have walked while talking to him. You would have not been able to leave him without a permission to meet or talk to a friend who happened to be passing by at that time, before going back and resuming asking for your request. You would not have sat in his presence. If you were to do any of these, he would have had you kicked out from his presence. How dare you then do this with the Lord of the lords and King of all kings, while you pray without standing in one place politely and humbly? You go stroll to the right and the left and watch those passing by? You should know that such prayer of yours is not deemed a prayer, as the Prophet called it: "may his prayers condemn him" [Psalms 109:7].

Have you not heard even once in your life what the Lord said: "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" [Matthew 6:5-6].

We should then dear beloved learn from these saying the true prayers. It is not the ones we perform within the room in our material home, by closing the material doors. People could see us then. It is rather done in our internal home and by closing the doors to distractions and materialistic concerns and by turning our minds to Him Almighty so that our prayers may be complete and reach Him like incense with a beautiful smell. He then shall bestow upon us the greatest of gifts and forgive our sins. May He be glorified forever.

Read after the Liturgy's Gospel

On Thursday, the First Week of the Great Lent

Includes an exhortation of priests to preach and educate.

Inspired by the Lord’s saying in the Holy Bible: "Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” [Mark 4: 21-29]

Priests are the ones entrusted with the believers, they are the shepherds of the sheep, the keepers of the Holy Law's order and those placed at the pastoral ranks. Why then are they negligent when it comes to their responsibilities – keeping themselves busy with other matters. They exert efforts to increase funds while fearing any disaster that may come their way or a loss they may incur.

What about you – father, the person whom God entrusted to be a shepherd, why are you found asleep and careless? Do you not care about what our Lord said, "So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ [Luke 16:2]. How can you not dread His power when you appear before Him like one who wasted money and was careless about His flock, and thus wasted his bag of treasures? How are you going flee from his anger when He says to those with a cruel heart: "Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ [Matthew 22:13].

Have not you heard about what the Bible had said about Jacob Israel when he had agreed to manage the flocks of his uncle Laban and how he put their best interests ahead of his own rest? He left the tasty food, he neglected his sleep and he toiled the night to stay awake in order to tend to his responsibilities. He remained this way until he restored the sheep to his uncle, and by that time they multiplied in number and they were in excellent health. [Genesis 29: 1-29 and 30: 25-36].

Jacob, the shepherd tired himself and endured in his life to care for the flock of sheep in a meticulous way as they grew and multiplied. He endured the hot weather of summer and the cold winter, as well as facing thieves and wild beasts. He cared for the wounded and the sick. He led the sheep to fertile lands and clear waters, while suffering so many ordeals. Keep in mind that the owner of this flock was neither a king nor a powerful person, only Jacob’s uncle Laban, the atheist pagan (Genesis 31)

What excuse then can those entrusted with guarding Jesus's flock give; those who neglect their sheep and do not care about the congregation. They leave them exposed to be devoured by the stealing wolves and the wild beasts, to be lost and go astray, to be stolen and looted? Although the owner is not a shepherd like Laban, He is not one of the mortals and His congregation is not a flock of animals bought for a price. He is the Lord of Lords and King of all kings and His congregation consists of human beings – paid for with the precious blood of Christ.

Listen to the Lord Almighty blaming those who have fallen as Prophet Ezekiel says: "And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them.

‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LordAs I live,” says the Lord God, “surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock”—therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LordThus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.” God, the True Shepherd‘For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day.And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord God“I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.” [Ezekiel 34: 1-16].

Listen also to Him saying to the congregation: "‘And as for you, O My flock, thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats. Is it too little for you to have eaten up the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture—and to have drunk of the clear waters, that you must foul the residue with your feet? And as for My flock, they eat what you have trampled with your feet, and they drink what you have fouled with your feet.”

‘Therefore thus says the Lord God to them: “Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep.Because you have pushed with side and shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, and scattered them abroad,therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them—My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. [Ezekiel 34: 17-23].

Therefore dear beloved, after reading about all these firm warnings, which God has given to the careless ones, never forget His words: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. [Matthew 5: 14-16] And do you, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed?” [Mark 21]. We should wake up, pay attention, and preserve our good bag of treasures, so that we may be praised by Our Lord, may He be glorified forever, amen.

Spiritual Reflections

Monks Miracles

abouna fltaous