St Shenouda Podcast

Welcome to the St. Shenouda Podcast! This episode unveils the profound story of St. Maurice and the Theban Legion , Christian martyrs whose courage echoes through centuries. Journey back to 286 AD, when Emperor Maximian deployed a 6600-strong Roman legion from Upper Egypt , comprised entirely of Christians, to Gaul. Stationed near Aguanum (modern Saint Maurice, Switzerland), their faith was tested...

Welcome to St. Shenouda Podcast! Join us for a compelling episode on the life of Saint Abaskhiron the Soldier , a revered Coptic martyr and saint. Also known as Eskhayron or Abaskhaeroun, his name "Abaskhyron" combines "Abba" (father, an honorific title despite his young age at martyrdom) and "skhyron" (the strong). Born in Qallin, Lower Egypt, in the 3rd century, Abaskhiron was a soldier under Ar...

• Historical Context : The lecture begins by painting a picture of the Coptic Church in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, describing it as a "very dark period" marked by a lack of formal education, high illiteracy, and external pressures from Western missionaries. Pope Shenouda III regarded Habib Girgis as a "light in the midst of this darkness" and attributed the revival of education within...

Welcome to the St. Shenouda Podcast! In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary life of Saint Takla Haymanot the Ethiopian , a beacon of faith revered across the Coptic, Ethiopian, and Eritrean Orthodox Churches. Born as "Feseha Zion" (Joy of Zion or the churches) on 24th December 1215 in Ethiopia, his birth was a divine miracle to his devout parents, Priest Tsega Ze'ab ("the gift of father"...

Journey back to 3rd century Egypt with the St. Shenouda Podcast as we explore the inspiring story of Saint Demiana and her forty virgin companions. Born to a governor, Demiana, known for her beauty and good character , chose a life devoted entirely to Christ over marriage, establishing a convent with forty other virgins . Her unyielding faith was put to the ultimate test during the Diocletian Pers...

Join St Shenouda Podcast for a profound journey into the life of Saint Mary of Egypt , a revered figure known for her extraordinary transformation from sin to sainthood. Born in Egypt, Mary fled to Alexandria at the age of twelve and lived an extremely dissolute life for seventeen years, driven by an insatiable and irrepressible passion rather than for money. Her life took a pivotal turn when she...

Join us on the St. Shenouda Podcast as we delve into the extraordinary life of Saint Marina the Monk , a Christian saint whose story transcends time and gender. Born in present-day Lebanon in the 5th century, Marina made a radical decision to follow her devout father into monastic life, disguising herself as a man and taking on the name Marinos . Discover how Marinos, known for his humility, dedic...

Welcome back to St Shenouda Podcast! In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary life of Prince Theodore El Shatebi , also known as St. Theodore of Shotep , a revered figure in Christian history. His story is a powerful testament to faith and courage during the first few centuries of Christianity, a time when martyrdom was a grim reality for those who confessed their belief in Jesus Christ. E...

St. Epime: The Unwavering Faith of a Chief, Blessed by Christ and Vindicated by Miracles Host: Welcome, faithful listeners, to the St. Shenouda Podcast, where we delve into the inspiring lives of the saints of our beloved Coptic Orthodox Church. Today, we invite you to journey with us into the profound and miraculous life of a great martyr, commemorated on the 8th of Abib: St. Epime, also known as...

Today, we delve into the awe-inspiring life and profound monastic teachings of St. Pisentius, Bishop of Qift (Coptos) , a celebrated Coptic bishop and spiritual writer who flourished in Egypt during the 7th century, just before the Arab invasion. Born around 568 AD in the village of Shamir, Armant, he was nurtured by pious Christian parents with a deeply evangelical mindset. He was a contemporary...

The Desert Star: Unveiling the Life of St. Pishoy Join us for an insightful journey into the extraordinary life of St. Pishoy (also known as Bishoy), the great Egyptian Desert Father , revered in the Coptic Orthodox Church as "The Star of the Desert" and "The Beloved of our Good Saviour".... Born around 320 A.D. in the village of Shansa, Egypt , St. Pishoy was the youngest of six brothers, and tho...

Saint Cyril of Alexandria – The Unyielding Champion of Faith Join us as we journey back to 5th-century Alexandria, a vibrant melting pot of cultures and ideas, to explore the life of one of Christianity's most formidable figures: Saint Cyril of Alexandria . Known as "The Pillar of the Faith" and "Seal of all the Fathers," Cyril’s tenure as Patriarch from 412 to 444 was anything but calm, marked by...

Today, we delve into the incredible story of St. Shenouda the Archimandrite, a giant of early Coptic Christianity, born around 348 AD in Shenalolet. Discover how this shepherd boy, who showed early signs of spiritual giftedness with fingers glowing like luminous candles in prayer, rose to become the abbot of the White Monastery. Under his leadership, which began around AD 385, the monastery flouri...

Today we discuss the extraordinary life of St. Moses the Strong, also known as St. Moses the Black. Once a feared Ethiopian robber leader and murderer in 4th-century Egypt, Moses embarked on a radical journey of repentance and asceticism in the desert. Discover how this physically imposing man conquered his inner demons and passions through intense prayer, fasting, and vigils, eventually gaining p...

This episode explores the extraordinary life of Saint George (Girgis) El-Mozahim, a "new martyr" of the Coptic Church, commemorated on Paona 19. Born in the 10th century to a Muslim father and Christian mother, he was deeply drawn to Christianity after tasting blessed Eulogia bread, which "tasted in his mouth like that of honey". His conversion and open confession of faith initiated intense persec...

Discover the profound life of Abba Noufer, also known as Saint Onuphrius or Saint Nofer the Anchorite. In this podcast we discuss the story of a Desert Father who spent sixty to seventy years as a hermit in the Egyptian wilderness. He ventured into the inner desert after beginning his spiritual life as a monk in the Barida (or Erete) monastery. Abba Noufer endured extreme hunger, thirst, and tempe...

The life of Saint Abraam, Bishop of Fayoum (1829-1914). Celebrated as the "Friend of the Poor" and "Merciful and Giving" for his radical charity. Explore his profound faith, powerful prayer, and the many miracles performed through him, including healing and exorcism. Learn about this influential Coptic Orthodox saint whose impact reached across Egypt and the Eastern world.

After the death of his teacher Palamon, Saint Pachomius settled at Tabennesi, where a divine voice instructed him to build a monastery , because many would come to join him . This marked the origin during the fourth century of Christian communal religious life on a large scale. Disciples soon arrived, including his brother John and the young Theodore, drawn by Pachomius's profound scriptural teach...

Saint Pachomius, the founder of Christian communal religious life. Born of pagan parents in the diocese of Sne, Pachomius was a young Copt who knew neither Greek nor Latin. Around the age of 20, he was mobilized into the army. While detained (possibly in Antinoe), he was profoundly impacted by the charitable actions of Christians, who showed love for the sake of God. This experience sparked a vow:...

Today, we're exploring the book "80 Days Journey with the Desert Fathers," a collection compiled by Palladius Bishop of Helenepolis . This book presents the excellent deeds and marvellous lives of holy and blessed Fathers and Mothers who chose to live in the desert, embracing a solitary life and striving for a heavenly life . Palladius travelled extensively through cities, villages, caves, and mon...

Explore the rich spirituality of Coptic priest Fr. Bishoy Kamel, whose life and teachings offer a profound contribution to universal Christian spirituality. This podcast delves into his central theme: the authentic Theology of the Cross (theologia crucis), which was seen as the key to his life and ministry. Discover how Fr. Bishoy saw the Cross not only in suffering but as the source of light and...

Born Sami Kamel in 1931 in Egypt. Graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1951 and pursued further studies, earning diplomas in Psychology, Education, and Philosophy, eventually becoming an associate professor at Alexandria University in 1957. He was prepared for an academic life. In 1959, he was unexpectedly chosen for the priesthood by Pope Kyrillos VI. The Pope handpicked him despite nev...

Today we will explore the profound significance of Good Friday. This isn't just another day; it's a pivotal moment in history where we witness the ultimate act of love and sacrifice. We will contemplate on the solemn atmosphere as the church reflects on the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Discover the unique liturgical practices of this day, filled with powerful readings, somber hymns,...

Step into the powerful events of Holy Thursday, a day the Church holds in profound reverence. Journey with us to the Upper Room as Jesus gathers with His disciples to share the Passover meal, a moment that would forever change the course of history with the institution of Holy Communion. Witness the extraordinary display of humility as the Lord of all washes the feet of His disciples, a profound l...

Wednesday, a day of profound contrasts and simmering tension. While Jesus spends these precious hours with his closest disciples, sharing insights into the second coming and the days to come, the seeds of betrayal are being sown. Discover the story of a woman anointing Jesus with fragrant oil, a beautiful act of devotion that stands in stark relief against the plotting of those who seek his demise...