English Bible Study

Fr. Benjamin gives the sermon on the feast of Annunciation.

Fr. Mark gives the sermon on the feast of Annunciation.

His Eminence Metropolitan Thomas gives the sermon on the 3rd Sunday of Lent on the gospel of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32.

Fr. Mark gives the sermon on the 3rd Sunday of Lent on the gospel of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32.

We are embarking on a journey to uncover God's Wisdom this week. King Solomon began the new proverb by saying that wisdom vies for the heart while lust vies for the external appearance. King Solomon had just concluded preaching against the practices of the immoral. As wisdom screams out from the top of the hills, inviting all of us who were found sick to come and have an encounter with her, this p...

This week we are taken on a trip through the lens of Proverbs 7 which shows us the way that leads to the chambers of death. King Solomon shows us an example of a man who is lured down the path of iniquity. Not knowing that it would cost him his life. Sin here is represented by the immoral woman who seduces the simple to go with her and enjoy the luxurious, prideful, sinful life on her bed which is...

Fr. Mina begins with Proverbs 6:20, where it is urgently urged that we retain God's commandment in our minds. According to Fr. Mina, until we temporarily live without God's commands, we are unable to fully appreciate their significance. The proverb then goes on to discuss living an immoral lifestyle outside of marriage, highlighting how many lives have been destroyed as a result of this route to s...

This week's Bible study continues with a discussion on the value of work in one's life. According to what the Bible says, a person who does not labor should not eat. The work of God is not distinct from our occupations or our studies! God hastened us to subdue the earth during creation; every minute we spend studying or working at a job is a kind of subduing the earth. The proverb then goes on to...

Fr. Mina continues by discussing the virtues of marriage in chapter 5 of the book of Proverbs, which states: "There is newness in marriage." Lust is there all around us and at the tips of our fingers. However, the holy mystery of marriage offers an opportunity to encounter a new kind of love—an unfathomably selfless love. This is the "running water" that King Solomon encourages us to drink from, a...

Fr. Mina continues with lectures 6 and 7 of Proverbs. King Solomon teaches us about growing in wisdom and accepting advice that the quality of our lives may improve. Fr. Mina then explains how the way of wisdom is one but there are many paths. Fr. Mina then expounds on not opening the door to sin and the harm this causes to an individual, especially in their youth, because of sin’s addictive natur...

Proverbs 4:1-9 - Reintroduction to Proverbs by Saint Mary Coptic Orthodox Church, East Brunswick, NJ

His Grace Bishop Suriel teaches about the life of St. Habib Girgis who is an immensely important figure in the history of the church and more importantly in Christian education, this is part 2.

His Grace Bishop Suriel teaches about the life of St. Habib Girgis who is an immensely important figure in the history of the church and more importantly in Christian education, this is part 1.

Fr. Mark gives the sermon during the Sunday Liturgy on the Gospel of John 3:22-36 concerning Baptism and it's role in our lives.

H.G. Bishop Suriel gives the sermon during the Sunday Liturgy on the Gospel of John 3:22-36 concerning Baptism and Witness.

Song of Songs 7:9-8:14 - Bible Study - Fr. Mina Dimitri by Saint Mary Coptic Orthodox Church, East Brunswick, NJ

Fr. Mina continues Song of Songs bible study with the beginning of chapter 7, where God praises all the traits he finds beautiful in his beloved. Starting from the most insignificant features to the greatest, the Lord describes what characteristics he wants to build in his beloved, and the potential that he sees in the soul that she may not see in herself.

Fr. Mina continues chapter 6 by discussing the different seasons of the spiritual life represented by the different gardens mentioned throughout the book. The four seasons he discusses are spring, a period of grace; summer, a period where the consolations from God lessen; autumn, a period of suffering and humble submission; and winter, a period of purification to the highest order.

Fr. Mina begins chapter 6 by continuing his explanation of the different stages that the soul goes through in its marriage to God, including the period wherein the soul is seeking God but cannot find him. Fr. Mina notes that despite her fall, after the soul reunites with her beloved, she is met with the same praise as before as if nothing had changed- looking at her with the eyes of eternity.

Fr. Mina continues with the rest of chapter 5 of the Song of Songs by discussing how the human soul begins to describe God at the invitation of the saints. Thus, the soul is encouraged to focus on the characteristics of God, who he is, and what he has done rather than itself, which is the remedy for her lukewarmness.

1 Samuel 19 - Bible Study - Fr. Mina Dimitri by Saint Mary Coptic Orthodox Church, East Brunswick, NJ

Fr. Mina continues his study of the book of Song of Songs with the discussion of lukewarmness. In this state, the soul lacks commitment and love for God and prevents it from hearing the Lord’s voice. After lukewarmness when the soul ignites, the saints respond, “Tell us more about your beloved” which in turn begs the question from our Lord Jesus Christ, “Who do you say that I am?”

Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim and Fr. Anthony Mourad host a combined Q&A between the Undergraduate and Graduate youth.

The 4th and final lecture of the 2023 Graduate Youth Retreat. The theme of the retreat was "The Hidden Person of the Heart" (1 Peter 3:4), Fr. Kyrillos gave the final lecture on Inner Poverty, Meekness, and Modesty and gave beautiful definitions and steps we can take to attain these great virtues.

The 2nd lecture of the 2023 Graduate Youth Retreat. The theme of the retreat was "The Hidden Person of the Heart" (1 Peter 3:4), Fr. Kyrillos gave the second lecture on Interior Silence. He goes through 12 different types of silence and expounds on how one can go about each type.