https://tasbeha.org/community/categories/coptic-orthodox-church/p28/feed.rss Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:26:00 +0000 Coptic Orthodox Church - Tasbeha.org Community en-CA https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12864/catholic-orthodox-church-move-towards-unity Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:05:34 +0000 Zoxsasi 12864@/community/discussions
I'm sorry if I posted this elsewhere. I felt a new thread ought to be more appropriate.

There has been some dialogue recently between the COC and the RC concerning Unity. I think some joint statements had been established between both Churches:

Here's a news clipping:

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/roman.catholic.and.orthodox.churches.move.towards.unity/29230.htm

Does anyone know what the outcomes of this dialog was?
Where do we stand with the RC?
What are the next steps towards further integration with them, or them with us?
What agreements have been made so far?

I read H.G Bishop Angaelos's statement. I agree entirely with what he has said. It is indeed very hypocritical that we can talk about love and forgiveness, but the Church cannot seem to apply this towards other denominations.

Many times I've seen Catholics look at Copts as heretics - SIMPLY because we are not under Rome.
Many times I've seen Orthodox clergy look down at Catholics - SIMPLY because of their deviation from theological realities that only a theologian would be able to understand.
This animosity has gone far enough.

In all honesty, I hope the COC never changes, and its doctrines remain the same.
]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12847/egypt-christians-are-being-killed Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:28:03 +0000 geomike 12847@/community/discussions

God be with His people. Amen.]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9251/orthodox-soteriology-vs-protestant-soteriology Thu, 20 May 2010 17:24:18 +0000 Zoxsasi 9251@/community/discussions
I was reading Bishop Kallistos Ware book on comparative theology (I'll get u the exact title later), but he responds to evangelical Christians in it.

Its a very good book, IMHO.

What i find bewildering is that the Orthodox Soteriology is based on Baptism. I mean, you cannot be saved unless you are baptised. Christ came to correct our nature, and we unite with Christ, and wear Him IN Baptism.

So, im just curious, but this is EXTREMELY different than protestant soteriology. Isn't it?
I mean, their model of salvation makes absolute NO sense. Would you agree? Or have i missed something???

The thief on the cross was baptised - he died and rose with Christ.


Sometimes in these forums I hear people say that the protestants have partial truths, but it seems that despite any partial truth that they may have, their whole reason for salvation is different than ours, so even if we think they have partial truth in believing that Christ is God, and died for us, what is the point of that if they do not benefit from his salvation??

We are saved by Grace, but this is clearly administered through the sacraments, and notably Baptism is the 1st sacrament that opens the door to the other sacraments. How then can they talk about salvation?]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12841/do-christians-believe-in-luck Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:43:58 +0000 Zoxsasi 12841@/community/discussions
What is the view of the Coptic Orthodox Church concerning luck?
Do you as Christians believe in "luck" or do you believe that everything is God's will?

For example.. 15 people are standing in the street minding their own business. 1 gets killed by a terrorist. Was that just bad luck, or was it God's will?

Surely, not everything is God's Will?? Some disasters happen that have nothing to do with God, do you agree with this statement, or do you disagree??

Thanks]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12830/deacons-in-assuit Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:59:52 +0000 mark.naguib7 12830@/community/discussions http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRw8Sf6Cn1RR8Ja_SvXlrtg2qXbnNteSVsIhcpGWkxkoH_rAwkL6g). It is interesting how all of the Decons (For real this time, like Coptic Diacons) wear their badrashal. No matter how old they are. They all wear their badrashal as if they are diacons. What do you guys think of this?]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12820/bishop-s-staff Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:26:11 +0000 andrew8345 12820@/community/discussions
A chanter was walking along the bishop throughout the liturgy holding the staff. I have never seen this before in prior visits from HG. . .maybe has something to do with the ordination of the new priest?

Thanks in advance.

]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12802/catholic-church-sexual-abuse-orthodox-response Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:02:25 +0000 Zoxsasi 12802@/community/discussions
Again, today in the news, it appears that another priest has been found to have abused children.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16543091

Another abuse case in Belgium was recorded on tape by the victim where the Cardinal of Belgium (defending his bishop who had sexually abused a victim) appealed to the victim to NOT drag the bishop's name in the mud.

I know that this website is for the Orthodox Church and the Catholic IS NOT the Orthodox Church, but i just have a small question:

Where does this leave the Roman Catholic Church. If this was a sad case of one small priest, from one small town, it could be brushed off, but given the magnitude of this, and the cover-up the RCC has done, then what really is their credibility?

Have they lost all credibility??? How can they reach out to normal christians?

I'd have thought that after the inquisition and medieval history of the RCC, that they would be more inclined now to be spiritual more..

Would you agree though that these events show a lack of discipleship in the Church???
Is it right that the Church covered these things up?

180,000 catholics, in 2010 renounced their faith and revoked their baptism. This is up 40% from the year before that.

I'm just interested in the Orthodox Church's response to this: surely, with respect to building any kind unity with the RCC, this is a show stopper?? Would you not agree?

]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12798/video Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:41:57 +0000 12798@/community/discussions this video.

I am disgusted that people accept this. This is a product of the foolish protestant tradition that is entering our church. Our youth cannot tell how stupid this person is! This is crazy. He bashes the church, and preaches (covertly) Sola Gracia. This is pitiful, and I am extremely saddend by how our youth are so foolish as to see this as OK. What is even worse is that they see the Orthodox Church as being opposite to the message of Christ and it is a man made invention.

I can stand Protestantism being taught in church. Satanic Heresy!

ReturnOrthodoxy]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/9818/atheist-vs-coptic-orthodox Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:00:05 +0000 Cyril97 9818@/community/discussions I would like to talk to a person about our faith. I was wondering if
someone wouldn't mind telling me some stuff to tell this person. (He is an athiest)
Please nothing Biblical because he doesn't believe in the Bible. (maybe as evidence)
He thinks that the world is created by the BIG BANG.
I would really appreciate if someone can help me because I am a little confused myself.
Thanks and God Bless]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12799/request-for-link-from-baba-shenouda-october Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:02:10 +0000 mabsoota 12799@/community/discussions thanks, dear friends.]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12795/defnar-vs-synaxarium Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:10:41 +0000 mark.naguib7 12795@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12774/using-left-hand-in-christianity Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:45:09 +0000 Zoxsasi 12774@/community/discussions
Is there a problem for us using our left hand?

I saw a video of a muslim cleric/shiekh explaining that satan, in Islam, eats with his left hand ; therefore muslims are obliged to eat with their right.I thought this video was quite amusing; until I went to the Coptic Orthodox Church.

I went to have the Holy Communion once, and was carrying my son in my left hand (its the most stable). The priest asked me to carry him on my right hand.

What is this??? What kind of spirituality is this???

Then, on another occasion, a small kid went up to take some bread from the priest at the end of the liturgy and he took it with his left hand. The priest then took the microphone and asked everyone to teach their kids to receive the blessed bread with their right hands.

Is this really our faith? Does this have anything to do with Christianity?? Isn't this going a bit too far????

Should the priest be concerned about these things? To be honest with you, it really makes our faith look stupid (at least for those who do not understand it or are new to it).

I'm sure someone will come and explain to us the spiritual meaning behind receiving the bread with their left hand, but even if there is a spiritual meaning - if someone is left handed, does it really matter to the point of stopping the person from communion???



]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12727/christmas-presents Sun, 25 Dec 2011 10:23:44 +0000 Zoxsasi 12727@/community/discussions What's the point of them?
The Pope (Benedicte) was just saying how commercial Christmas has become, and I was wondering where the idea of buying christmas presents came from?

I just cannot help feel that the last person we acknowledge in Christmas IS Christ.

Santa, Coke-Cola, Christmas Trees, snow, goblins, Abba, Tinsel, Chocolate, Mariah Carey, is really what Christmas is about. I cannot, for the life of me, understand how we ended up in this situation.

I just had a HUGE Christmas Dinner, and NO ONE wanted to talk about Christ's Birth, no one cared and no one really believes in God, yet they all got each other Christmas presents. What's going on???

My 2 cents is that when you mix folklore with fact, you lose credibility, and on top of it, the Catholic Church's history hasn't helped bring people to Christ.

]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12770/music-for-the-praises-of-the-saints-madayeh Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:03:13 +0000 Anthonypk7 12770@/community/discussions My church is putting together a madeeh for our late priest for his 1 year anniversary late this January. I'm in charge of editing it. Does anyone know of any places where I can download THE MUSIC ONLY (NO voices) for the madayeh to add to the madeeh ??? I need it to be in this tune: http://www.4shared.com/mp3/-7-ygidb/______.html (what's the tune called ??)


Please answer quickly, we need it ready for January 15th

Pray for my weakness]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12752/coptic-gregorian-liturgy-at-st-mark-s-cathedral-of-azbakeya Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:22:02 +0000 p 12752@/community/discussions
Coptic Gregorian Liturgy Part 1
Coptic Gregorian Liturgy Part 2
Coptic Gregorian Liturgy Part 3
Coptic Gregorian Liturgy Part 4
Coptic Gregorian Liturgy Part 5 ]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12737/which-sign-of-the-cross-is-correct Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:45:55 +0000 lvnvrfails 12737@/community/discussions I've seen several topics on the two methods of doing the sign of the cross: from right to left vs. from left to right.
I was wondering why, as Orthodox Christians, we don't all do it the same way.
I am more familiar with the left to right method because I understand the symbolism (that Christ moved us from darkness-left to light-right...and also that the right side is considered the symbol of power).
Any comments?
Thanks,
God bless

P.S. WWJD is not exclusively Protestant...TITL forced my fingers to type those words...it was under extreme torture and threats to deprive me of food...]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12741/oriental-orthodox-punchup-in-bethlehem Thu, 29 Dec 2011 07:04:20 +0000 Zoxsasi 12741@/community/discussions
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079328/Priests-brawl-Bethlehems-Church-Nativity-clergy-fight-Christmas-cleaning.html

Twice a year this goes on! Its stupid!! This animosity between EO and OO has to end!! Enough already!

What's wrong with us?

You cannot love God, and hate your brother.

I know what the problem is. The EO look at the OO as if we are heretics. Therefore, its as if they are defending the Church against imposters, or villains. This is the ONLY reason why priests would attack another priest. They do not recognize our sacraments, our priesthood, our legitimacy to even be in these Churches.

This has to end!]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12681/catholic-church Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:51:59 +0000 marina008 12681@/community/discussions thank you
GBU]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12653/reinforcement-of-correct-deaconate-ranks Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:48:19 +0000 joeg 12653@/community/discussions
I think an interesting array of questions could be asked here:

Is the "lack of resources" (i.e. the lack of ordained Subdeacons and Deacons) the real reason that young children of five years old are herded into the altar for service?

Or is it a more global issue on the level of the Church that such ranks matter little these days?

Is this in itself a problem? Or is it merely the evolution of the Church and it's accommodation to suit the needs of our changing culture and society in the lands of the Diaspora?

Why is it that the clergy ordain less and less individuals to the higher ranks of Subdeacon and Deacon?

Does the organisation of the deaconate even matter? Does not God accept the service of young children who do not understand the real responsibilities that being a subdeacon entails?

What are the practicalities for enforcing the protocols on a wide scale once more? Is it even worth attempting or contemplating?

What do you think?
]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12631/new-hcoc-production-kiahk-midnight-praise Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:59:05 +0000 Biboboy 12631@/community/discussions
You can order a copy of the CDs, three of which are FREE (you’re only paying for the cost of 10 CDs!) from orthodoxbookstore.org. If you prefer buying the production as mp3’s, the digital distribution of this production through cdbaby.com will be available on Hathor 30 (December 10).

For more details, click here:
http://www.copticheritage.org/productions/the_rite_and_hymns_of_the_kiahk_midnight_praise]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12715/i-need-help Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:07:56 +0000 deaconmark123 12715@/community/discussions

Thanks in advance

]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12708/proceeds-from Sun, 18 Dec 2011 22:21:18 +0000 Curios 12708@/community/discussions really needing answers please]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12702/they-call-this-the-arab-spring-pray-for-the-copts-in-egypt Sun, 18 Dec 2011 06:49:21 +0000 Coptic Soldier 12702@/community/discussions
]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12688/st-john-chrysostom-s-life Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:12:06 +0000 c_hope 12688@/community/discussions
I had a question regarding St John Chrysostom. I recently heard that he desired/entered monasticism at an early age, only to leave it at some point, and then return to it later in his life.

Could someone please clarify:
1) his age when he initially desired/entered into monasticism
2) when (at what age), and why he left monasticisim
3) his age and why he returned to monasticism.

Thank you.]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12655/kiahk-resources Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:34:08 +0000 andrew8345 12655@/community/discussions
I'd appreciate it if you could post some links to books/articles/sermons about Kiahk. Everything from history, the rites, the tunes, the hymns, meditations, etc. The more I can learn, the more I can benefit!

Thanks in advance. ]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12650/what-altar-objects-are-consecrated-in-the-coptic-church Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:02:39 +0000 Anthonypk7 12650@/community/discussions https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12656/council-of-oriental-orthodox-churches-in-the-uk Wed, 07 Dec 2011 03:16:46 +0000 peterfarrington 12656@/community/discussions
It was attended by many bishops and priests representing the:

Armenian Orthodox Church
British Orthodox Church
Coptic Orthodox Church
Eritrean Orthodox Church
Ethiopian Orthodox Church
Indian Orthodox Church
Syrian Orthodox Church

The Council discussed the Oriental Orthodox Festival for 2012, the Orthodox Education Day, the meeting of the Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Regional Forum, and the situation facing the Churches in the Middle East. There was an opportunity to hear the news from each of the member Churches, and a warm sense of fellowship and fraternal community was shared by all.

The meeting was chaired by the President of the Council, His Grace Bishop Angaelos.

The Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches in the UK meets four times a year, and organises a number of events.

Father Peter Farrington
Secretary of the Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches in the UK]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12652/to-cradle-orthodox-christians Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:54:39 +0000 Ioannes 12652@/community/discussions         All of us have gone without food during our fasts. We all know what it is like to go without food. Do all of us know what it is like to be without food? Going without food, we know that we have food and will be feasting soon enough. But to be without food is to not have it and not know when we may have the means to get food. It is difficult to fast, physically we are drained, but we know that we will eat and that we have the means and therefore do not worry. Imagine how awful it must be for those who go without food and know not when they may have their next meal or scrap of food. What an awful life that must be, full of fear and sadness. No hope. Feeding on whatever may come your way, wether it be from garbage, homeless shelter, or from the hand of a generous brother. Not knowing if one day God may relieve you from your suffering here on earth, or if you will die hungry and poor.

        I have been there my dearest people. I have been there spiritually not physically. I have been spiritually impoverished, outside of the grace of the Holy Spirit. I have gone through the rubbish of this world searching for peace and something to save my soul, only to find rotten food not fit for a dog. I have sat outside the banquet, starving, trying to find a way in through all the wrong means. I have wept many nights out of sadness and pity for my wretched soul. I was bitter and angry because of my situation, searching and rummaging through the garbage heap of this world. Often times wandering aimlessly in my quest for spiritual food only to find a mirage, an illusion.

Eventually I was allowed into the banquet to eat and to drink. Because I have been without, I take nothing for granted. I know what it is like to be without food, to be hopeless and I know what it is like to have this beautiful gift. Before I was without, now I have the body and blood or our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. This is not culture, this is not symbolic, and it certainly is not something that comes second to anything else, God is life. To be without salvation and see those who have always had access to it, be ungracious and ungrateful, is an insult to truth and to God. Imagine being so poor you cannot even eat. Imagine eating from the leftovers in the trash of others. Imagine begging others for food. Then imagine being let into a large banquet only to see the people completely ungrateful for what they have, over eating and wasting without care. Would you not think: “These people are ungrateful, for they do not know what it is to be without. This is disrespectful!”

My brothers and sisters, I see in many cradle Orthodox many wonderful things. However I often see a people that do not understand the gift they have been given in Orthodoxy. I see a people seemingly unaware of the truth in Orthodoxy. I see women approaching our Lord in immodest attire. Many seem not to care if they are late, if even show up at all, but when a bishop arrives everyone is not just on time but early. Why is this? We not only see Christ at every liturgy we celebrate, we consume him. Is the servant greater than the master? Did this bishop save us from our sins? Why then is it more important to be to liturgy early when a bishop is coming and not for Christ? Believe me, to go without is hell. Imagine being outside of salvation, wether you know it or not, your soul is well aware. You have a gift. You are not starving spiritually and as long as you remain inside you never will. Know and understand the precious gift you have always had and never let it go. Nothing in this world saves, nothing in this world feeds but what is within the walls of the House of God.


+Ioa+]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12649/stem-cell-research Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:53:10 +0000 Just Be Me 12649@/community/discussions Please excuse my ignorance regarding stem cell research but I have a couple of questions:

Why is the Coptic Orthodox Church against stem cell research? Is it because an embryo must be killed to obtain those cells that have not yet specialized? Or are there other reasons too?
What about the type of research that does not require the killing of an embryo? Is that also against our Christian views?

Thank you : )

Please answer...]]> https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/12651/why-don-t-we-mention-the-most-important-saints-in-commemoration-of-the-saints Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:04:57 +0000 Anthonypk7 12651@/community/discussions