Author: David Bebawy

Coptic Ordinations Pentecost 2010

by David Bebawy, posted in Church News, Coptic, Coptic News, News, Personal News, Religion, Video

On May 23, 2010, the Feast the Pentecost, H.H. Pope Shenouda III, with the gathered Metropolitans, and Bishops ordained 19 new priests:

  1. Father John, formerly known as Maher Bishara of Jersey City, NJ to serve the Church of St. Anthony in South Jersey, New Jersey, USA
  2. Father Isaac, formerly known as Isaac Soryal of Staten Island/Bayonne to serve the Church of Virgin Mary & St. George in Staten Island, New York, USA
  3. Father David, formerly known as Ramez Milad to serve the Church of Virgin Mary in Maryland, USA
  4. Father Mina to serve Virgin Mary & Archangel Michael Church in London
  5. Father Basilious (Basil) as a General Priest to serve the Church of God.
  6. Father Mina to serve the Coptic Church in Romania.
  7. Father Maximos (Maximus) as a General Priest to serve the Church of God.
  8. Father Armia (Jeremiah) to serve the Church of St. George in Sahel, Cairo, Egypt.
  9. Father Mikhail (Michael) to serve the Church of Virgin Mary & Archangel Michael in El Abaseri, Egypt.
  10. Father Gawargious (George) to serve the Church of Virgin Mary & Archangel Michael in El Abaseri, Egypt.
  11. Father Lukas (Luke) to serve the Church of St. Luke in Masr El Adeema, Egypt.
  12. Father Shenouda to serve the Church of Virgin Mary & St. Abanoub in Manshiet Nasr, Egypt.
  13. Father Arsanios to serve the Church of Virgin Mary & St. Abanoub in Manshiet Nasr, Egypt.
  14. Father Youhanna (John) to serve the Church of Virgin Mary & St. Abanoub in Manshiet Nasr, Egypt.
  15. Father Bola (Paul) to serve the Church of St. Mina in El Abageya, Egypt.
  16. Father Youssef (Joseph) to serve the Church of Virgin Mary & St. Athanasius in El Maadi, Egypt.
  17. Father Estafanous to serve the Church of Virgin Mary in El Maadi, Egypt.
  18. Father Bishoy to serve the Church of Virgin Mary & Abu Sefin in Ezbeet El Nakhl, Egypt.
  19. Father Markos (Mark) to serve the Church of St. Mark in El Eboor, Egypt.

May the Lord continue to bless His Church and increase her service.  We congratulate His Holiness Pope Shenouda III on the ordinations of these new servants of Christ.  We also congratulate the newly ordained fathers the priests, their families, and the congregations of these blessed churches.

Priest Ordinations Video

Pentecost Liturgy Video

Don't Give Up

by David Bebawy, posted in Coptic, News, Personal News, Religion, Short Story

Source: Anonymous

One day I decided to quit.

I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. .. I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
“God”, I asked, “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?”
His answer surprised me…

“Look around”, He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo?”
“Yes”, I replied.
“When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.
I gave them light.
I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.

“In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.
In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would
not quit.” He said.

“Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared
to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. ..But just 6
months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.”
He asked me. “Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots”.

“I would not quit on the bamboo.
I will never quit on you.”
“Don’t compare yourself to others.”
He said.
“The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern.
Yet they both make the forest beautiful.”

“Your time will come”, God said to me.
“You will rise high”
“How high should I rise?”
I asked.
“How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return.
“As high as it can?” I questioned.

“Yes.” He said, “Give me glory by rising as high as you can.”
I left the forest and brought back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.
Never, Never, Never Give up.
For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.

Don’t tell the Lord how big the problem is,
tell the problem how Great the Lord is!

My Child

by David Bebawy, posted in Coptic, Religion, Short Story

Source: Excerpt from Paradise of the Fathers

Jesus Loves His Child
Jesus Loves His Children

My Child,

With eternal love I have loved you, thus, I have protected you from many evil temptations that occupied you, and I had compassion upon you by My blessing and choice. I have granted you and given you wisdom, that guided you in intense situations, I took care of your matters, and granted you overwhelming happiness. I strengthened you when you were weak, and from many tribulations I have delivered you. I taught you, I have advised you, and still in front of Me, this is nothing. So do not thank Me for it, for My love demands that I do this for your sake.

You rejected me, swore at me, lied to me, thought evil against me, denied me in front of people, belittled Me in the eyes of My enemies. I was obedient in your sight, Yet you caused Me misery. You left My ways, you resisted Me, and made Me bare what I did not want from you. You made my sadness unutterable, and embarrassed Me in numerous situations. All this I will not count nor consider, for you did it out of ignorance and in unbelief.

I came down from My Kingdom taking the form of a servant, and became like man, and was found in Divinity. Like man, became hungry and could not find that which would fill me, when from Me came all the blessings. I was thirsty, and could not find the one to give Me drink, even though I created the seas. No place to lay My head, though I have created holes for foxes and the air for the birds.

I was saddened for you, and wept much for you, I suffered bitterly for your sake. And what did I get in the end? I was captured, and falsely accused, even though I committed no evil, and in My mouth no lie could be found.

They slapped Me, and with lashes torn at My body, and even My hair they grabbed with violence. They ripped My garment and mocked Me. They forced a crown of thorns on My head. They bowed to Me in mockery, they spit on My face and with a rod they hit Me on the head, till the thorns dug deep within my skull. AND ON THE WOOD OF SHAME THREW ME. They nailed My hands and My feet and lifted Me for all to see. And I was as a lamb who was slaughtered. Silent was I in front of all, and opened My mouth not as if I was cut out of the world and became like vapor. All My bones were separated. My heart became like a candle, melted among my emotions. They gave Me vinegar to drink, along with its bitter taste. They cursed Me, so I blessed them, and asked for their forgiveness and granted them mercy. All this I endured because I love you. Do you then question My love?

Jesus and Child

Come close and do not fear, give Me your heart and I will return it to you like new. Give Me your life, so that I may move you from darkness to the light and from death to life. I will make you a child of God and share My inheritance and My Kingdom with you. All this, so that your sadness may become joy, and give you hope, your worries into gains, and your fear into peace. I will put a new hymn in your mouth.

I will carry you, and in the days of hunger feed you. So do not worry or fear tonight, and you shall succeed in your path. You shall not be tormented in the process. And on your side thousands shall fall, and to your right dominions will tremble. FOR I AM WITH YOU. Therefore, I will deliver you, and carry you and bring you into My heart and I will put My left arm under your head, and My right arm will embrace you. I will guard you from him who hates good, and I will return his poison back to him and bring him under your feet. And thus, I shall conclude your life, with righteous days, blessed and joyful. And to My glory I will bring you. By My side you will find richness, and comfort and peace.

Do you still question My love?

Come now and do not reject my invitation this time, for I am waiting for you.

Your Love, Jesus.