Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Categories
- All Categories 13.8K
- General Category 10.9K
- General Announcements 184
- Faith Issues 3.4K
- Coptic Orthodox Church 2.5K
- Personal Issues 1.4K
- Prayer Requests 423
- Random Issues 1.8K
- Introductions 294
- Non-Orthodox Inquiries 232
- Youth Corner 606
- Hymns 2.5K
- Hymns Discussion 2.5K
- Technicial Difficulties 368
- Technical Topics 368
saint stories.
hey all
i was just wondering about ur favorite saint story becasue i love hearing saint stories..
here is mine
His Christian name before entering the monastery was : Azzer Yousef Atta. He was born on the 8th of August 1902 , in Damanhour, to Christian parents , lovers of Church and Christian principals.
When he grew , it was his privilege to sit alone in his room and concentrate on reading the Holy Bible and studying religious subjects and Hymns. In July 1927 He decided to enter the monastery, so he resigned from his good civil position and was enrolled in El Baramous Monastery during the Era of Pope Kyrillos the fifth.
He remained for several months under probation, till he was accepted by the monastery leaders to join them as a monk . He was announced on the 17th of Amshir ( 24th February 1928) under the name of MINA EL-BARAMOSY . On the 18th of July 1928 he was appointed as Highomenous MINA El_BARAMOUSY . He continued for some time to study in the Coptic Faculty for Spiritual studies ( El Eklerikia ) . When he heard that he was promoted by POPE JOUANES to be appointed as a Church Bishop , he escaped to the monastery of Saint Shinouda in Souhag . But when he was ordered by the Pope to return back , he declared that he prefers to live in solitary. He was granted this request, under the supervision of the Senior member of EL Baramous Monastery Highomenous Abd El-Mesih El- Masoudy . He lived in solitary in a cave , one hour-walking apart from the monastery .
At the beginning of 1936, he lived in a wind mill, in the desert of Old Cairo, where he continued his daily prayers. In 1941 he was appointed as Head of Monastery Saint Samuel in Al-Kalmun Mountain near Maghagha. He renewed the monastery and its churches , built rooms for the monks of the monastery . Lots of well known spiritual men were his students in this monastery ( e.g. Father Andraws El Samou’ily ) .
In 1947, he moved to old Coptic Cairo, where he built the Church of Saint Mina the Martyr , with the little money he received . He practiced building by himself with the laborers. The elite of his students were appointed as bishops in the same church. In 1949 he established a house for the living of foreign students. He was known for his deep faith and continual worship . Patients from every where in Egypt came to visit him, he prayed for their healing . Because of his strong faith, God gave him the privilege of heeling , during his life, and still after he passed away.
The Holy Spirit chose him to be the POPE OF ALEXANDRIA , on the 10th of May 1959 (2nd of Beshans 1675).
On 28th of June 1959 he appointed Artibishop Gathlik for Ethiopia . A decree was held between both Egyptian and Ethiopian Churches to persist holy love between them.
In November 1959 he laid the foundation stone of the Big Monastery of Saint Mina in Mariuot Desert . A part of his Holy Relics was returned to the monastery . A Cathedral and 3 churches were also built in the huge area of the monastery .
In January 1965 He ruled the Committee of Eastern Orthodox Churches in Addis Ababa , which was the first (Masconic) and ( Non-Khalkadonic) committee for the Eastern Churches held in the recent era. The committee discussed important topics related to the Holy Services and Preaching in this era , also the relation between the attendant churches and other churches.
In the same year he upgraded the Big Cathedral of Saint Marcos in Cairo , which was built more than 100 years before , and decorated it with new paintings.
In 1967 He processed the holy Miron ,which was considered a very important event, as it was the 26th turn in the history of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
On the 2nd of April 1968 , The Holy Virgin , Saint Mary showed over the domes of Her Church of Zeitun in Cairo . It was a great Holy announcement , unprecedented since the Holy Spirit held on the Apostles fifty days after reprcussion . The Holy show was by huge resurrection lights that could not be predicted by human beings. This Holly Event dominated for several months, during which thousands of patients were healed from their severe illness : The blind eyes opened, the crippled walked, the evil spirits departed. God was glorified by all people of different religions and nations who obtained sympathy and faith .
In June 1968 Pope Kyrillos received the Holy Relics of Saint Marcos after being absent from his land Egypt for more than eleven centuries . The Holy Corpse was buried in a specially built grave , under the Alters of the Great New Cathedral of Saint Reways built by The Pope and was opened in a great holy festival attended by President Nasser and Emperor Hila Slasy of Ethiopia and delegates from most of the world Churches .
Pope Kyrillos the Sixth did not forget at any time that he is the poor monk Mina the solitary . His meals were so poor and simple. Many days he lived on dry bread and salt. In all his fastenings he used to have one single meal after sunset and the Holy Service which he used to hold every day. His dress was so simple. Slept very few hours.
He continued his daily prayers , starting early in the morning, followed by the Holy Service , praying in a low solemn voice, his head bent down , with closed eyes. Many times he could not stop his tears from falling . He was so humble , his door opened for any body who wanted to sit with him and talk about his problems. He was a guide to many lost souls . So many were saved by his prayers, so many were healed from their sickness, so many evil spirits departed those they possessed with simple prayers coming from his heart.
He used to pray almost the whole day, from the early morning till the late nights , in the church, in his room, during his meetings, during walking, even during eating , concentrating his mind and heart on GOD ,It was truly said that he is a man of prayers and miracles.
He bore so many hard experiences , in and out the church . he was the man for whom Saint Paul the Apostle said " All those who want to live in purity with Jesus Christ are attacked " . But Hand of God always saved him, none of those who opposed him ever won .
When at last The Almighty wanted to give an end to his sufferings, he was informed several times in dreams and holy announcements, which he declared to his intimates . He sickened shortly. On the day he passed out, he met some of his followers, when the last person departed , he raised the cross, that was always held in his hands and said " God shall guard you " , He entered his bed room and passed away . He was buried under the Alter of the new Cathedral.
His body was transferred in a great solemn festival to the Monastery of Saint Mina the Martyr in Mariuot , following his will, to be near the Great Saint, in a day when it rained and thundered in a way that never happened before .
Blessings of this Great Saint be with us. Glory of God for ever, Amen.
i was just wondering about ur favorite saint story becasue i love hearing saint stories..
here is mine
His Christian name before entering the monastery was : Azzer Yousef Atta. He was born on the 8th of August 1902 , in Damanhour, to Christian parents , lovers of Church and Christian principals.
When he grew , it was his privilege to sit alone in his room and concentrate on reading the Holy Bible and studying religious subjects and Hymns. In July 1927 He decided to enter the monastery, so he resigned from his good civil position and was enrolled in El Baramous Monastery during the Era of Pope Kyrillos the fifth.
He remained for several months under probation, till he was accepted by the monastery leaders to join them as a monk . He was announced on the 17th of Amshir ( 24th February 1928) under the name of MINA EL-BARAMOSY . On the 18th of July 1928 he was appointed as Highomenous MINA El_BARAMOUSY . He continued for some time to study in the Coptic Faculty for Spiritual studies ( El Eklerikia ) . When he heard that he was promoted by POPE JOUANES to be appointed as a Church Bishop , he escaped to the monastery of Saint Shinouda in Souhag . But when he was ordered by the Pope to return back , he declared that he prefers to live in solitary. He was granted this request, under the supervision of the Senior member of EL Baramous Monastery Highomenous Abd El-Mesih El- Masoudy . He lived in solitary in a cave , one hour-walking apart from the monastery .
At the beginning of 1936, he lived in a wind mill, in the desert of Old Cairo, where he continued his daily prayers. In 1941 he was appointed as Head of Monastery Saint Samuel in Al-Kalmun Mountain near Maghagha. He renewed the monastery and its churches , built rooms for the monks of the monastery . Lots of well known spiritual men were his students in this monastery ( e.g. Father Andraws El Samou’ily ) .
In 1947, he moved to old Coptic Cairo, where he built the Church of Saint Mina the Martyr , with the little money he received . He practiced building by himself with the laborers. The elite of his students were appointed as bishops in the same church. In 1949 he established a house for the living of foreign students. He was known for his deep faith and continual worship . Patients from every where in Egypt came to visit him, he prayed for their healing . Because of his strong faith, God gave him the privilege of heeling , during his life, and still after he passed away.
The Holy Spirit chose him to be the POPE OF ALEXANDRIA , on the 10th of May 1959 (2nd of Beshans 1675).
On 28th of June 1959 he appointed Artibishop Gathlik for Ethiopia . A decree was held between both Egyptian and Ethiopian Churches to persist holy love between them.
In November 1959 he laid the foundation stone of the Big Monastery of Saint Mina in Mariuot Desert . A part of his Holy Relics was returned to the monastery . A Cathedral and 3 churches were also built in the huge area of the monastery .
In January 1965 He ruled the Committee of Eastern Orthodox Churches in Addis Ababa , which was the first (Masconic) and ( Non-Khalkadonic) committee for the Eastern Churches held in the recent era. The committee discussed important topics related to the Holy Services and Preaching in this era , also the relation between the attendant churches and other churches.
In the same year he upgraded the Big Cathedral of Saint Marcos in Cairo , which was built more than 100 years before , and decorated it with new paintings.
In 1967 He processed the holy Miron ,which was considered a very important event, as it was the 26th turn in the history of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
On the 2nd of April 1968 , The Holy Virgin , Saint Mary showed over the domes of Her Church of Zeitun in Cairo . It was a great Holy announcement , unprecedented since the Holy Spirit held on the Apostles fifty days after reprcussion . The Holy show was by huge resurrection lights that could not be predicted by human beings. This Holly Event dominated for several months, during which thousands of patients were healed from their severe illness : The blind eyes opened, the crippled walked, the evil spirits departed. God was glorified by all people of different religions and nations who obtained sympathy and faith .
In June 1968 Pope Kyrillos received the Holy Relics of Saint Marcos after being absent from his land Egypt for more than eleven centuries . The Holy Corpse was buried in a specially built grave , under the Alters of the Great New Cathedral of Saint Reways built by The Pope and was opened in a great holy festival attended by President Nasser and Emperor Hila Slasy of Ethiopia and delegates from most of the world Churches .
Pope Kyrillos the Sixth did not forget at any time that he is the poor monk Mina the solitary . His meals were so poor and simple. Many days he lived on dry bread and salt. In all his fastenings he used to have one single meal after sunset and the Holy Service which he used to hold every day. His dress was so simple. Slept very few hours.
He continued his daily prayers , starting early in the morning, followed by the Holy Service , praying in a low solemn voice, his head bent down , with closed eyes. Many times he could not stop his tears from falling . He was so humble , his door opened for any body who wanted to sit with him and talk about his problems. He was a guide to many lost souls . So many were saved by his prayers, so many were healed from their sickness, so many evil spirits departed those they possessed with simple prayers coming from his heart.
He used to pray almost the whole day, from the early morning till the late nights , in the church, in his room, during his meetings, during walking, even during eating , concentrating his mind and heart on GOD ,It was truly said that he is a man of prayers and miracles.
He bore so many hard experiences , in and out the church . he was the man for whom Saint Paul the Apostle said " All those who want to live in purity with Jesus Christ are attacked " . But Hand of God always saved him, none of those who opposed him ever won .
When at last The Almighty wanted to give an end to his sufferings, he was informed several times in dreams and holy announcements, which he declared to his intimates . He sickened shortly. On the day he passed out, he met some of his followers, when the last person departed , he raised the cross, that was always held in his hands and said " God shall guard you " , He entered his bed room and passed away . He was buried under the Alter of the new Cathedral.
His body was transferred in a great solemn festival to the Monastery of Saint Mina the Martyr in Mariuot , following his will, to be near the Great Saint, in a day when it rained and thundered in a way that never happened before .
Blessings of this Great Saint be with us. Glory of God for ever, Amen.
Comments
I would write up his story but its too long and I'm a slow typer.
another fave saint of mine is -ehhem!!- st verina -wonder why??- lol she was a great person. actually its sorta a funny story how i got my name.
my daddy, before he met my mom, went to switezerland. there was a parade going around so he asked the cabbie, "wahts going on?" hes like "we are celebrating st. verina its her feast today." my dad just sat there. all the sudden the cabbie came to an abrupt stop. "YOU DONT KNOW WHO ST VERINA IS??, where are you from?" "i'm from egypt" "SHE WAS EGYPTIAN!!!!!" so my dad felt bad u know that ppl celebrated her and she was from his country where he never even heard of her. so he came to a spot and got dropped off. he went walking in the park and saw a statue, underneath it it said ST VERINA so my dad went found someone who could tell him the story of her. as soon as my father found out i was a girl. he named me right there and then, verina rewis helmy awadalla.
i'll be in tune!!
vina
Martyrdom of St. Mina (Menas) the Wonder Worker
From the Coptic Synaxarium for the 15th Day of the Blessed Month of Hathor
On this day we commemorate the martyrdom of St. Menas (Mina) who was called the blessed faithful. His father Eudoxius was a native of the City of Nakiyos and was its Governor. His brother was envious of him and he brought charges against him before the Emperor. The Emperor transferred him to Africa and appointed him Governor over it. The people were pleased with him because he was merciful and God-fearing. His story is as follows.
His mother Euphemia had no children. One day she went to church on the festival of Our Lady the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, at Attrib. She saw the children in the church wearing their beautiful apparels with their parents. She heaved a sigh and wept before the icon of St. Mary, entreating her to intercede for her before her beloved Son in order that He would give her a son. A voice came from the icon saying "Amen". She rejoiced in what she had heard and realized that the Lord had heard her prayers.
When she returned to her home and told her husband, he replied, "May God's will be done". The Lord gave them this saint and they called him Mina, from the word "Amen" which his mother heard coming out of the icon. Later on, his parents got another son and a daughter.
When he was growing up, his parents taught him how to write and they reared him in a Christian manner. When he was eleven years old, his father departed after a good old age and his mother died three years later. St. Mina devoted his life to fasting, prayer and a Christian way of life.
Because of everyone's love towards him and his father, they placed him in his father's position. In spite of that, he did not forsake his worshipping.
When Diocletian had renounced Christianity and issued orders to worship idols, many were martyred for the name of the Lord Jesus. The Saint left his position and went to the desert, where he stayed and worshipped God with all his heart.
One day he saw the heavens open and the martyrs crowned with beautiful crowns. He heard a voice saying: "He who toils for the name of the Lord Jesus shall receive these crowns". He returned to the city over which he was Governor and confessed the name of the Lord Jesus. Knowing that he belonged to a noble family, they tried to dissuade him from his faith and promised him honour and precious gifts. When he did not change his mind, they threatened him and the Governor ordered him to be tortured. When the Governor failed to turn him away from his faith, he sent him to his brother so that he might influence him but he also failed. Finally, the Governor ordered his head to be cut off, his body to be cast into a fire and his ashes to be scattered in the wind.
The body remained in the fire for three days and three nights, but it was not damaged. His sister came and gave the soldiers a lot of money and they let her take the body. She put it in a sack and intended to take it to Alexandria, as her brother had previously advised her. She embarked with her brother's body on one of the ships to Alexandria. On the trip sea beasts came out of the water and attacked the passengers abroad the ship. They were frightened and screamed with fear. The Saint's sister prayed to the Lord and asked for the intercession of her brother. While the passengers were in fear and confusion, fire went forth from her brother's body and burned the faces of the beasts. They dove immediately into the water and as they reappeared the fire burned them again. They finally dove and did not reappear.
When the ship arrived at the port of Alexandria, most of the people in Alexandria went out with the Patriarch to meet it. They carried the sacred body with honour and reverence and entered the city with a venerable celebration and placed it in the church, after they shrouded it in expensive shrouds.
When the time of persecution ended, the angel of the Lord appeared to the honourable Patriarch, Abba Athanasius the Apostolic. The Lord's command was to place the body of St. Mina on a camel and to take it out of the city without letting anyone lead it but to follow it from a distance until it stopped at a place that the Lord had designated.
They walked behind the camel until they arrived at a place called Lake Bayad, in the district of Marriot. There they heard a voice saying: "This is the place where the Lord wishes the body of his beloved Mina to rest". They lowered the body and placed it in a coffin, and situated it in a beautiful garden and many miracles happened through the body.
After a while, the people of Pentapolis (the five cities) rose against the cities around Alexandria. The people were getting ready to face the Barbarians and the Governor decided to take the body of St. Mina with him as his strong protector. He took the body secretly and through the blessings of this Saint, he overcame the Barbarians and returned victoriously.
The Governor decided not to return the body of the Saint to its original place and wanted to take it to Alexandria. On the way back, they passed by Lake Bayad, St. Mina's original place. The camel carrying the body knelt down and would not move, in spite of frequent beatings. They moved the body over another camel, but again this second camel did not move from its place. The Governor finally realized that this was the Lord's will. He made a coffin from decay-resistant wood and placed the silver coffin in it. He then returned it to its place, invoked St. Mina's blessings, and returned to his city.
When the Lord wanted to disclose the location of St. Mina's body, He did it in this manner. There was a shepherd in the desert who had a lamb with mange. It slipped down into the water of a well near the place of the Saint's body, then came out of the water and rolled over in the sand of that place, and instantly the lamb was healed. When the shepherd saw this miracle, he was amazed. He started to take from the sand, mix it with water and smear with it every lamb with mange or any other disease, and immediately, they were healed.
The news of these miracles spread in all the countries until the Emperor of Constantinople heard of them. He had an only daughter and she was leprous. Her father sent her to the place where the Saint's body was and enquired from the shepherd how these miracles were happening. She took from the sand, moistened it with water, smeared it on her body and slept the night in that place. In her sleep she saw St. Mina saying to her: "Arise early and dig in this place and you will find my body". When she woke up, she was cured. As she began digging she found the body of the Saint. She sent a word to her father who rejoiced greatly, thanked and glorified God.
The Emperor then sent men and money and built a Church in that place and it was consecrated on the fifteenth day of the Coptic month of Baounah.
When the Roman Emperors Arcadius and Honorius reigned, they ordered a city to be built there. Multitudes of people came to that church asking for the intercession of the blessed St. Mina. The Lord had honoured him with many signs and wonders that appeared from his body. When the Arabs came to Egypt, some of them attacked the city and the church was destroyed, only its ruins remained.
When His Holiness the late Pope Abba Kyrillos VI was ordained Patriarch, he took interest in building a large monastery in this area of Mariut in the name of St. Mina. He spent a great deal of money in building it. There are two churches in the monastery, visited by many Coptic worshippers for blessings and for praying. He also bought one hundred acres of land and built a fence around it. He ordained a number of monks who had high degrees of academic and religious education.
May the intercession of St. Mina be with us. Glory be to God forever. Amen.
Also from the Coptic Synaxarium for the 15th Day of the Blessed Month of Paoni: The Consecration of the Church of Mari Mina at Mariut
On this day is the commemoration of the appearance of the body of the honourable saint, and great martyr Mari Mina, and the consecration of his church at Mariut (Mareotis).
Now, the body of this saint was hidden, and the Lord wished to reveal it. It came to pass that there was a shepherd, who pastured his sheep near the place where the body of the saint was buried. One day, one of his sheep, which was sick of a skin disease (mangy), dipped itself in the water of a pond which was near that place. It then went out of the water, and rolled itself in the sand of that place, and it was healed straightway. When the shepherd saw this wonder, he marvelled, and took the sand of that place and mixed it with the water of the pond. He smeared every mangy sheep, or any that had a deformity, and they were healed immediately.
The report of this shepherd became widespread in all the regions of the empire, until the emperor of Constantinople heard of it. He had an only daughter who was leprous. Her father sent her there. She questioned the shepherd about how she could get rid of her illness, and he told her. She took some of that sand and mixed it with the water. She retired to her quarters and smeared her body with the mixture and slept that night in that place. She saw in a dream St. Mina and he told her, "Rise up early and dig in this place and you shall find my body." When she woke up from her sleep, she found herself healed. She dug in that place, and she found the holy body. She sent to her father to inform him about what had happened. He rejoiced exceedingly, thanked God and praised His Holy Name. He sent men and money and built a church in that place which was consecrated on this day.
When Arcadius and Honorius reigned they ordered a city to be built there which was called Mariut. The masses came to this church interceding with the blessed Mari Mina. God had honoured him by the miracles and wonders(1) that were manifested from his pure body, until the Moslems occupied the city and destroyed it.
The biography of this saint is mentioned under the 15th day of Hatour (see above).
May his intercession be with us and Glory be to God forever. Amen.
_______________
(1) That is why the church calls him the wonder worker.
his strength and presistence in this story amazes me everytime i read it. its long but worth the read so dont overlook it ;D
On this day, of the year 307 A.D., the great among the martyrs St. George, was martyred. He was born in Cappadocia; his father's name was Anastasius, and his mother's name was Theobaste. When he was twenty years old, his father died, and he went to Emperor Diocletian to take over his father's position. He found that the Emperor had apostatized the faith and ordered the worship of idols. George was sorrowful, and he gave all his wealth to the poor and needy and set free his slaves.
When he saw the edict of the Emperor against the Christians, he became raged and tore it. They took him before the Emperor, and he cried in their middest saying: "For how long you shall pour your anger against the innocent Christians, and force those who know the true faith to adopt the faith that you are in doubt of because it is fraudulent? So, either you believe on this true faith, or at least do not disturb with foolishness those who are steadfast in it." The Emperor asked Mephnanius, one of his ministers, to pacify and persuade him. He asked him: "Who taught you to be daring like this." The Saint answered: "It is the truth," then started to explain it to him. The Emperor interrupted, reminding the Saint with the ranks that he bestowed on him, and promised him with more if he denied his Christ. The Saint refused with pride all these vain propositions. The Emperor tortured him severely, but the Lord strengthened him and healed all his wounds.
When the Emperor was weary of torturing him, he brought a magician, whose name was Athanasius, who gave the Saint a cup full of poison to drink. St. George made the sign of the cross over the cup then drank it. When no harm came upon him, the magician believed in the Lord Christ, and received the crown of martyrdom. The Emperor became raged and ordered to squeeze him until he delivered up his soul, and they cast his body out side the city.
The Lord Christ raised him up, and the Saint returned to the city. When the people saw him, three thousand and seven hundred souls believed. The Emperor ordered to cut off their heads and they received the crown of martyrdom.
When St. George stood before Emperor Diocletian, along with seventy kings that were sitting around him, they asked the Saint: "We wish you to make these chairs that we are sitting on to put forth leaves, and bear fruit." The Saint prayed to the Lord Christ, the Lord accepted his supplication and the chairs put forth leaves and bore fruit.
They took him once to a cemetery and asked him to raise the dead therein. He prayed to the Lord Christ. The Lord raised them and after they talked to them, they returned to their graves and died.
A poor woman, brought her son, who was blind, deaf and dumb, he prayed to the Lord Christ then made the sign of the cross over him, and he was healed right away.
Diocletain, during all that, went on torturing St. George, until he was weary and bored of that. He started to be pleasant to the Saint and promised to give him his daughter in marriage if he would offer the incense to his gods. The Saint pretended that he accepted his offer, and the Emperor rejoiced and brought him into the royal palace. While St. George was praying the Psalms, the Empress heard him and asked him to explain to her what he had said. He began to interpret to her all the events from the creation of the world to the Incarnation of the Lord Christ, and his words entered her heart and she believed in the Lord Christ, to Whom is the Glory.
The Emperor ordered to call upon all the men of the city to gather, in order to see Saint George offering the incense to the Emperor's gods. When multitude gathered by the idols, Gawargios (George) stood and cried at the idols in the Name of the Lord Christ the Savior of the world. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed all the idols. The Emperor and all those who were with him were ashamed and he returned to his palace full of fury and wrath. The Empress told him: "Didn't I tell you not to oppose the Galileans, for their God is strong and mighty?" The Emperor was exceedingly wrath with her, for he knew that St. George had brought her also to his faith. The Emperor with rage ordered to comb her body with a steel comb, then cut off her head, and she received the crown of martyrdom. Finally, Diocletian decided to put an end to the humiliation that befell him, so he ordered to cut off the head of St. George, and he received the crown of martyrdom. A Christian took the body, wrapped it in expensive shrouds, and took it to the city of Lydda, his home town, and they built a great church on his name there.
His intercession be with us and Glory be to our God forever. Amen.
ATHANASIUS
(9th Edition of The Encyclopaedia Britannica - Vol. II, 1878)
ATHANASIUS, ST, Bishop of Alexandria and one of the most illustrious defenders of the Christian faith, was born at Alexandria about the year 297. Of his family, circumstances, or early education nothing can be said to be known, although a legendary story has been preserved by Rufinus of Aquileia as to the manner in which he came, while yet a boy, under the notice of his predecessor, Alexander. It seems certain that Alexander became his patron, took him as a youth into his house, and employed him as his secretary. This was probably about 313, and from this time Athanasius may be said to have been devoted to the Christian ministry. He was, no doubt, a student in the "Didascaleion," or famous "catechetical school " of Alexandria, which included amongst its already illustrious teachers the names of Clement and Origen. In the museum, the ancient seat of the Alexandrian university, he may have learned grammar, logic, and rhetoric. His mind was certainly well disciplined, and accustomed to discuss from an early period the chief questions both in philosophy and religion. The persecution under which the Alexandrian Church suffered at this time, and his intimacy with the great hermit Antony of which he himself has told us, had all their effect upon his character, and served to nurture in him that undaunted fortitude and high spirit of faith by which he became distinguished.
Before the outbreak of the Arian controversy, which began in 319, Athanasius had made himself known as the author of two essays addressed to a convert from heathenism, one of them entitled Against the Gentiles, and the other On the Incarnation of the Word. Both are of the nature of apologetical treatises, arguing such questions as monotheism, and the necessity of divine interposition for the salvation of the world; and already in the second may be traced that tone of thought respecting the essential divinity of Christ as the "God-man" for which he afterwards became conspicuous. There is no distinct evidence of the connection of Athanasius with the first contentions of Arius and his bishop, which ended in the exile of the former, and his entrance into Palestine under the protection of Eusebius the historian, who was bishop of Caesarea and subsequently of his namesake the bishop of Nicomedia. It can hardly be doubted, however, that Athanasius would be a cordial assistant of his friend and patron Alexander, and that the latter was strengthened in his theological position by the young enthusiastic student who had already expounded the nature of the divine Incarnation, and who seems about this time to have become archdeacon of Alexandria. At the Council of Nicaea, in the year 325, he appears prominently in connection with the dispute. He attended the council, not as one of its members (who were properly only bishops or delegates of bishops), but merely as the attendant of Alexander. In this capacity, however, he was apparently allowed to take part in its discussions, for Theodoret (i. 26) states that "he contended earnestly for the apostolic doctrines, and was applauded by their champions, while he earned the hostility of their opponents". Within `five months' after the return of Alexander to the scene of his episcopal labours he expired, and his friend and archdeacon was chosen to succeed him. He was elected in the sight and amidst the acclamations of the people. He was now about 30 years of age, and is spoken of as remarkable both for his physical and mental characteristics. He was small in stature, but his face was radiant with intelligence, as 'the face of an angel. This is the expression of Gregory of Nazianzus (Orat., xxii. 9), who has written an elaborate panegyric upon his friend, describing him as fit 'to keep on a level with common-place views yet also to soar high above the more aspiring,' as accessible to all, slow to anger, quick in sympathy, pleasant in conversation, and still more pleasant in temper, effective alike in discourse and in action, assiduous in devotions, helpful to Christians of every class and age, a theologian with the speculative, a comforter of the afflicted, a staff to the aged, a guide of the young."
The first few years of the episcopate of Athanasius were tranquil; but the storms in which the remainder of his life was passed soon began to gather around him. The Council of Nicaea had settled the creed of Christendom, but had by no means composed the divisions in the church which the Arian controversy had provoked. Arius himself still lived, and his friend Eusebius of Nicomedia rapidly regained influence over the Emperor Constantine. The result of this was a demand made by the emperor that Arius should be re-admitted to communion. Athanasius stood firm, and refused to have any communion with the advocates of a "heresy that was fighting against Christ." Constantine was baffled for the moment; but many accusers soon rose up against one who was known to be under the frown of imperial displeasure. The archbishop of Alexandria was charged with cruelty, even with sorcery and murder. It was reported that a Meletian bishop in the Thebaid, of the name of Arsenius, had been unlawfully put to death by him. He was easily able to clear himself of such charges, but the hatred of his enemies was not relaxed, and in the summer of 335 he was peremptorily ordered to appear at Tyre, where a council had been summoned to sit in judgment upon his conduct. He did not venture to disobey the imperial order, and a commission was appointed to inquire into an alleged instance of cruelty urged against him, notwithstanding the explanations which he had made. There appeared plainly a predetermination to condemn him, and he fled from Tyre to Constantinople to appeal to the emperor himself. "He resolved," says Gibbon, "to make a bold and dangerous experiment, whether the throne was inaccessible to the voice of truth." He presented himself suddenly with five of his suffragans before the emperor, while riding into his new capital. Refused at first a hearing, his perseverance was at length rewarded by the emperor's consent to his reasonable request--that his accusers should be brought face to face with him in the imperial presence. The leaders of the Tyrian council, amongst the most conspicuous of whom were the two Eusebii, were accordingly summoned to Constantinople just after they had celebrated, at a great dedication festival at Jerusalem, the condemnation of Athanasius and the restoration of Arius to church communion. In confronting the former before Constantine they did not attempt to repeat the charge of cruelty, but found a more ready and effective weapon to their hands in a new charge of a political kind--that Athanasius had threatened to stop the Alexandrian corn-ships bound for Constantinople. Here, as in other matters, it is very difficult to understand how far there was any truth in the persistent accusations made against the prince-bishop of Alexandria. Probably there was in the very greatness of his character and the extent of his popular influence a certain species of dominance which lent a colour of truth to some of the things said against him. On the present occasion his accusers succeeded in at once arousing the imperial jealousy; and the consequence was, that, notwithstanding his earnest denial of the act attributed to him, he was banished to Trier, or Treves, the capital of Gaul.
This was the first banishment of Athanasius, which lasted about two years and a half. It was only brought to a close by the death of Constantine, and the accession of Constantine II. as emperor of the West. It is recorded by himself (Apol. 7) that, on his return to Alexandria, "the people ran in crowds to see his face; the churches were full of rejoicing; thanksgivings were offered up everywhere; the ministers and clergy thought the day the happiest in their lives." But this period of happiness was destined to be short-lived. His position as patriarch of Alexandria placed him, not under his friend Constantine II., but under Constantius, another son of the elder Constantine, who had succeeded to the throne of the East. He in his turn fell, as his father had done, more and more under the influence of the Nicomedian Eusebius, now transferred to the see of Constantinople. A second expulsion of Athanasius was accordingly resolved upon. The old charges against him were revived, with the addition of his having set at naught the decision of a council. It was further resolved on this occasion to put another bishop in his place. Accordingly, in the beginning of the year 340, a Cappadocian named Gregory, said to be an Arian, was installed by military force on the throne of the great defender of the faith, who, to save his followers from outrage, withdrew to a place of concealment. As soon as it was possible he repaired to Rome, to "lay his case before the church." He was declared innocent at a council held there in 342, and in another held at Sardica some years later. Julius, the bishop of Rome, warmly espoused his cause, and, generally, it may be said that the Western Church was Athanasian in its sympathies and its creed, while the majority of the Eastern bishops sided with the Eusebian party. This severance was clearly shown at the Council of Sardica, where the Orientals refused to meet with the representation of the Western Church, because the latter insisted on recognising the right of Athanasius and his friends to attend the council as regular bishops. The commonly received date of this council is 347, but the rediscovered Festal Letters of Athanasius have had the effect of throwing back this date for some years. It has been placed by some as early as the end of 343, by Mansi and others in the end of 344. The decision of the Council of Sardica, however, had no immediate effect in favour of Athanasius. Constantius continued for some time implacable, and the bold action of the Western bishops only incited the Arian party in Alexandria to fresh severities. Gradually, however, the excesses of the Arian party brought their own revenge, while the death of the intruded bishop Gregory, in the beginning of 345, opened up the way for a reconciliation betwixt the Eastern emporor and the banished prelate. The result was the restoration of Athanasius for the second time, amidst the enthusiastic demonstrations of the Alexandrian populace, which is represented by his panegyrist, Gregory Nazianzen, as streaming forth " like another Nile " to meet him in the distance as he approached the city. His restoration is supposed to have taken place, according to the more accurate chronology based upon the Festal Letters, in October 346.
For ten years at this time Athanasius held his ground in Alexandria. But the intrigues of the Arian or court party were soon renewed against him, and the feeble emperor, who had protested that he would never again listen to their accusations, was gradually stimulated to new hostilities. A large council was held at Milan in the spring of the year 356, and here, notwithstanding the vigorous opposition of a few faithful men amongst the Western bishops, a renewed condemnation of Athanasius was procured. This was followed up by the banishment of the faithful prelates, even of Hosius of Cordova, whose conciliatory character and intimate connection with the imperial family had not prevented him from addressing to Constantius a pathetic remonstrance against the tyranny of the Arian party. When his friends were thus scattered in exile, their great leader could not long escape; and on the night of the 8th of February 356, while he was engaged in service in the church of St Thomas, a band of armed men burst into the sacred building. He has himself described the scene (Apol. de fuga, 24). Here for a time he maintained his composure, and desired the deacon to read the psalm, and the people to respond--" For His mercy endureth for ever; " and how, as the soldiers rushed forward with fierce shouts towards the altar, he at length made his escape in the crowd, and sought once more a place of safe retirement. The solitudes of Upper Egypt, where numerous monasteries and hermitages had been planted, appear to have been his chief shelter at this time. Here, protected from pursuit, he spent his time in literary labours in behalf of his cause; and to this period, accordingly, belong some of his most important writings, above all the great Orations or Discourses against the Arians, which furnish the best exposition of his theological position and principles.
For six years at this time Athanasius continued in exile, till the death of Constantius in November 361 opened once more the way for his return to his episcopate. Julian, the successor to the imperial throne, professed indifference to the contentions of the church, and granted permission to the bishops exiled in the late reign to return home. Amongst others, Athanasius took advantage of this permission, and seated himself once more upon his throne, amidst the jubilations of the people. He had begun his episcopal labours with renewed ardour, and summoned a council to Alexandria to decide various important questions, when an imperial mandate yet again drove him from his place of power. The faithful gathered around him weeping. " Be of good heart," he said, " it is but a cloud it will soon pass." His forecast proved true; for within a few months Julian had closed his brief career of Pagan revival, and Athanasius "returned by night to Alexandria." He received a letter from the new emperor, Jovian, praising his Christian fidelity, and encouraging him to resume his work. With the emperor he continued to maintain friendly relations, and even drew out for him a synodal letter embodying the Nicene Creed, which was graciously received. During the brief reign of this bluff soldier-prince, comparative quiet prevailed in the church. But the repose was of short duration. In the spring of 365, after the accession of Valens, troubles reappeared. An order was issued for the expulsion of all bishops who had been expelled by Constantius, and Athanasius was once more forced to take refuge in concealment from his persecutors. His concealment, however, only lasted for four months, when an order came for his return; and from this time (Feb. 366) he was left undisturbed to pursue his episcopal labours. Those labours were unceasing in refuting heretics, in building churches, in rebuking rapacious governors, in comforting faithful bishops, and in strengthening the orthodox everywhere, till at length, in the spring of 373, "in a good old age," he ceased from all his work. Having consecrated one of his presbyters his successor, he died quietly in his own house. His "many struggles," according to his panegyrists, won him "many a crown." He was gathered to his fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, who had contended for the truth. Even those who fail to sympathize with the cause which Athanasius steadfastly maintained, cannot refuse their tribute of admiration to his magnanimous and heroic character. The cynic eloquence of Gibbon grows warm in recounting his adventurous career, and the language of Hooker breaks into stately fervour in celebrating his faith and fortitude. " The whole world against Athanasius, and Athanasius against it; half a hundred of years spent in doubtful trial which of the two in the end should prevail --the side which had all, or else the part which had no friends but God and death--the one a defender of his innocency, the other a finisher of all his troubles." If imperious in temper and inflexible in dogmatic determination, Athanasius had yet a great heart and intellect, enthusiastic in their devotion to Christ, and in work for the good of the church and of mankind.
His chief distinction as a theologian was his zealous advocacy of the essential divinity of Christ as co-equal in substance with the Father. This was the doctrine of the Homoousion, proclaimed by the Nicene Creed, and elaborately defended by his life and writings. Whether or not Athanasius first suggested the use of this expression, he was its greatest defender; and the catholic doctrine of the Trinity has ever since been more identified with his "immortal" name than with any other in the history of the church and of Christian theology
St. Mary
St. Aleria
St. Abanoub
St. Mark
St. Bishoy
St. Christopher
St. Mina
Pope Kyrillos
Anba Toumais
St. Demiana
Abouna Androus el Samuel
St. Samuel the Confessor
These are the only saints that I can think of so far!
do u mean abouna thomas?
Later in his life Anba Bishoy went to the desert of Shehet where he took his vows to monastisism and studied under Anba Bamwa. He devoted his life to God and prayer until he deserved the appearance of Jesus Christ.
Anba Bishoy is an Egyptian monk, and Bishoy is a Coptic name means "elevated". He was known by his wisdom, strength, modesty, courage, simplicity in appearance, deep thoughts, calmness and generosity to strangers. These are the highlights of his character.
King Constantine appeared to him in a dream one day and told him "If I had known all the honor bestowed on the monks, I would have left my kingdom to become a monk" Anba Bishoy answered by saying: "But you were the one that removed the worship of idols and Christianity was very prosperous during your reign, didn't Jesus give you anything ?"; Constantine answered "Yes a lot, but not the honor of the monks.
In his days, an old preacher appeared in the mountain of Ansina. He became so famous for his preaching that a lot of people gathered around him. It came to be that he lost his way and the devil misled him until the point when he denied the Holy Spirit. All this news reached Anba Bishoy who went to see him taking with him sacs each having three handles, something that amazed the old preacher, and he asked Anba Bishoy the reason for that and he answered "I have a trinity, and I do everything accordingly", and he started to explain to the people the words of the Bible until he convinced them all.
The saint fulfilled his life of flesh and wished he could see Jesus, and in the middle of that, he got a promise from God that He will appear to him on the mountain of Shehet. So, he gathered the monks and told them the good news. Everyone was filled with joy and they were waiting for that big event to happen. On the appointed day, everybody was in a great hurry rushing to see Jesus. On their way, they passed by man who was trying to join them but had great difficulty because of his age; so he stretched out his hand asking for help, but nobody stopped or even paid him any attention. When Anba Bishoy passed by him, he stopped and carried him on his shoulders, gradually he started to feel that his load was becoming lighter and lighter, then he realized that the old man was Jesus the Lord, the one that everybody ignored. Finally, he died in peace giving his soul the freedom to go and live with the one he always wanted to be with, and that is Jesus Christ.
i love saint bishoy!
do u mean abouna thomas?
Anba Toumais is Anba Thomas...I love his picture...he is a great saint...I heard of his story it was wonderful...we have his fingers in our church...there was Anba Abraham, who came to our church and put hounout on the fingers! It was a great blessing!
omg thats awsome!
can u write down his story if u know it?