St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

In this episode, Diane shares her journey to the Coptic Orthodox Church, exploring her initial questions about the Bible, saints, and sacraments like baptism and confession. She reflects on how learning about martyrs and early church fathers shaped her understanding and faith. Diane discusses the significance of spiritual discipline beyond emotional experiences and the role of the church in marria...

Fr. Eric Tadros explores the concept of interior freedom based on a Catholic perspective, focusing on the difference between true freedom and worldly illusions of autonomy. He reflects on how freedom is rooted in faith, hope, and love, emphasizing that external circumstances do not determine true freedom. Drawing from Scripture and the lives of the saints, Fr. Eric explains that real freedom comes...

Fr. Makary Boutros reflects on the Gospel of John 14:1-12, emphasizing that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. He explains how Jesus prepares a place for believers, offers peace amid anxiety, and grants freedom through faith. Fr. Makary highlights the importance of making God a priority in love, obedience, and seeking His kingdom while warning against deceptive paths that lead away...

In this SA&SP Couple's Meeting, Fr. Matthias Shehad discusses healing through forgiveness and compromise in marriage. He explains how unresolved emotional wounds from childhood and past experiences can affect relationships and create conflict. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that healing involves restoring trust, emotional safety, communication, peace, unity, and love—not just avoiding conflict. He highli...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores John 17, focusing on Jesus’ prayer before His crucifixion, highlighting the intimate communication within the Holy Trinity. He explains the concept of eternal life as a relationship with God rather than a physical place, clarifying common misunderstandings about salvation and glorification. The talk emphasizes the mission of believers as light in the world, the reality...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the practice and purpose of evangelism in the Orthodox Church, emphasizing that evangelism goes beyond simply inviting others to church—it involves walking with them on their spiritual journey. He highlights the importance of presenting the fullness of the Orthodox faith, including its challenges and disciplines, with enthusiasm and truth. Fr. Matthias discusses the ch...

In this episode of Living Incense, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the journey of Dian, a convert to the Orthodox faith. Dian shares her initial encounters with the church hierarchy, including meeting a bishop, and her early questions about Orthodox practices like kissing the cross and the role of tradition. She explains how her background in Bible study shaped her pursuit of answers within Scripture...

In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Jesus Christ's conversation with His disciples about the work of the Holy Spirit during the events leading up to His crucifixion. Fr. Matthias explains how Christ prepares the disciples for the suffering and trials they will face after His departure and emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit as the helper who guides believers into all truth. He hig...

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the theme of loving the praise of God rather than the praise of men. He discusses how many believed in Christ inwardly but were afraid to confess their faith openly due to fear of persecution and social rejection. Fr. Matthias highlights the importance of both internal belief and outward confession as essential components of genuine faith, referencing S...

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues the discussion on evangelism by distinguishing between active and passive approaches. He explores different types of active evangelism such as service, invitational, intellectual (apologetics), testimonial, and confrontational methods, illustrating each with scriptural examples. Emphasizing that community service should address both physical and spiritual needs, Fr. M...

In this episode of Living Incense, Fr. Matthias Shehad welcomes Diane, a recent convert to the Coptic Orthodox Church, to share her journey from a Protestant background rooted in the Druze culture to embracing Orthodoxy. Diane discusses her initial perceptions of the Coptic Church, her experience attending Bible studies and liturgy, and key theological differences she encountered, such as faith an...

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad reflects on the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, highlighting the significance of worshiping with true knowledge. He explains how the Samaritans’ mixed faith contrasts with the Jewish faith that leads to Christianity, emphasizing the importance of knowing God through scripture. Fr. Matthias outlines key truths Christians know about their origin,...

His Grace Bishop Boules explores the story of the Road to Emmaus from Luke 24, focusing on the encounter between Jesus and the two disciples after His resurrection. Bishop Boules unpacks how Jesus reveals Himself through scripture and breaks the bread, highlighting themes of faith, recognition, and spiritual transformation. He emphasizes the importance of understanding scripture and trusting God’s...

In "Evangelism 101 [Part 1] | The Harvest," Fr. Matthias Shehad introduces the foundational mission of the Church: sharing the Christian faith to bring salvation to others. He traces the roots of evangelism to St. Mark the Apostle's work in Egypt and highlights the need for all believers to actively participate in spreading the Gospel. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that true evangelism begins with a per...

H.G. Metropolitan Youssef addresses common misconceptions about Christianity, focusing on the misunderstanding that suffering or self-punishment is required to please God. He explains that ascetic practices like fasting and prayer are spiritual medicines aimed at healing the soul, strengthening the will, and purifying the heart, rather than forms of punishment. The conversation explores the differ...

In "All That the Father Gives Me Will Come to Me," Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Christ’s teaching on repentance and acceptance. He reflects on the biblical understanding of who is welcomed by God after repentance, highlighting examples such as the adulterous woman, the repentant thief, and St. Peter who denied Christ. Fr. Matthias contrasts genuine repentance with insincere repentance, illustrated...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores John chapter 15, focusing on Christ’s teaching of "I am the vine, you are the branches." He explains the roles of the Father as the vine dresser who prunes believers to bear more fruit, emphasizing the importance of abiding in Christ for spiritual vitality and growth. Fr. Matthias discusses how true discipleship reflects fruitfulness and how love for one another is the...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores James 1:19, emphasizing the importance of being “swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath” as a foundational principle for spiritual growth and healthy relationships. He explains how this biblical guidance cultivates patience, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness in times of trial and temptation. Fr. Matthias discusses the difference between anger and wrat...

Metropolitan Youssef addresses common misconceptions about Christianity, focusing on the question of salvation and church affiliation. He explains that salvation is based on faith in Christ rather than membership in a specific denomination, though he emphasizes the importance of the sacraments—baptism, chrismation, confession, and communion—as essential in the Orthodox understanding of salvation....

In this homily, H.E. Metropolitan Youssef explores different types of faith, referencing biblical figures such as Abraham and St. Thomas to explain how faith can vary in expression and understanding. He discusses the relationship between faith and trust in God, highlighting the importance of spiritual growth and resurrection. The talk reflects on how faith is essential for a Christian’s journey an...

H.G. Bishop Youssef explores Job chapter 14, focusing on the brevity of life and the human condition in the face of suffering and death. He explains Job’s reflections on the fleeting nature of life, likening humans to fading flowers and shadows, and addresses the inevitability of death as determined by God. Bishop Youssef discusses Job’s dialogue with God, expressing both anguish and a hope for di...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the meaning behind the angel’s question to the Marys at Christ’s tomb: “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” He discusses how we often look for life, fulfillment, and God in places that are spiritually dead, such as worldly pursuits, fixation on the past, or merely external religious rituals. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that true life is found in repentance, love, h...

H.E. Metropolitan Youssef examines common misconceptions about Christianity, focusing on the distinctions between Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant beliefs. He discusses the relationship between science and faith, addressing topics such as evolution, the Big Bang, and the simulation theory, highlighting the Orthodox perspective on these issues. Metropolitan Youssef explains the understanding of h...

In this discussion, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the reality of homelessness, distinguishing between countries with inadequate shelter systems and the United States, where shelters are available but often come with requirements that some individuals cannot meet. He emphasizes that mental illness is a major underlying factor leading to homelessness in the U.S., suggesting that addressing only the s...

Fr. Matthias Shehad discusses the difference between voluntary giving and government welfare in addressing poverty and wealth disparity. He explains that socialism enforces wealth redistribution by law, lacking the element of love and voluntary service that God requires when asking us to give. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that giving should be an act of obedience to God, not a government mandate. He al...