Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States

The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States is composed of 33 priests serving the 27 churches and 26 Coptic communities. More

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The Season of the Church

The Holy Nativity Fast

Nov 25, 2009 - Jan 6, 2010
Hathor 16 - Koiakh 28, 1726

Today's Readings

March 13, 2010
Paremhotep 4, 1726

Christ Jesus, the Son of God, because of His surpassing love towards His creation, humbled Himself to be born of the virgin. He Himself united man to God through Himself.
Irenaeus (c 180, E/W)

The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Love of Honor

Whenever one tries to approach the Blessed Virgin Mary to understand the secrets behind her life, one's mind gets boggled and baffled by them. For, while a lot of women and leaders of women's movements fight to obtain rights and honor, this simple poor girl appeared on the scene of events to become not only higher than those on earth but also those in heaven. As St. Isaac the Syrian said, "whoever runs after honor, it runs away from him and whoever runs away from honor willfully honor chases him and lead people to him." That is why God had honored this girl and chosen her to become His Mother.

The Blessed Virgin Mary ran away from all fame and honor. Although she had lots of stories, news and words she had known about and of her dear Son our Lord Jesus Christ that any human being yearns to listen to, yet she chose to keep all these things to herself pondering them in her heart. Had she uttered a word, all humanity would have surrounded her to record those things she knew about the Master Jesus Christ. However, she escaped all this glory and chose the life of silence and quietude.

The Blessed Virgin Mary ran away from all glory of praise choosing to live in the shadow of events. She exemplified this attitude in her visit to Elizabeth to serve her behind the scenes; and when it was Elizabeth's due time the Blessed Virgin Mary hurried quickly back to her house before people would gather in the house of Elizabeth and Zachariah and get to see her and praise her for having served the aged woman for three months.
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Abu-Seifein: Loyalty Perseveres

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." (II Timothy 4:7)

Loyalty to God means being true in word, faithful in deed, and free from betrayal. In Genesis, the first Holy Book of the Holy Bible, loyalty is given importance. "And you know that with all my might I have served your father" (Genesis 31:6).
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