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“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Mark 8:36 . “Of what use to me are the pleasures of the world? What do I have to do with the world’s attractions? I would rather die with Christ than possess all the corners of the world. I only ask for Christ who has died for our sake, and also rose for our sake. The hour for my birth has drawn near. Forgive me my brethren, let me live, leave me to die. I wish to be with God. Do not leave me in the world, do not leave me among the pleasures of the world. Let me reach the pure light.” St Ignatius of Antioch #vanityoftheworld #souliseternal #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Mark 8:36 …

“but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.” Mark 10:43,44 . Relocation of the Relics of Saint Macarius the Great. As the abbot of his monastery, Abba Marcarius dealt with many problems and always solved them in a humbled manner. It was reported to him through the monks of the monastery that a particular monk had allowed a woman to enter his cell. Abba Macarius did not reprimand nor scold this monk. The monks continued to wait for the woman’s return. Upon discovering her presence once again they reported their finding to Abba Macarius. He entered the monk’s cell and asked the others to wait outside. Upon hearing the approaching footsteps of others, the brother had hidden the women in a big trunk used for storing grain. When Abba Macarius entered he promptly sat upon the trunk knowing its hidden contents. He called the other monks to enter. They did not see the women in question and dared not to ask Abba Macarius the contents of the trunk he was sitting upon. When the others had left, Abba Macarius looked at the brother in question and said, “Brother, judge yourself before they judge you, because the true judgment comes only from God.” As did our Lord and Savior, Abba Macarius concealed other people’s sins. Coptic Synaxarium #StMacariustheGreat #service #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

“but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first …

“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20.35 . “If you have nothing to give people, give them a warm smile and a kind word, give them love, give them tenderness, give them a word of encouragement; give them your heart.” H.H Pope Shenouda III #give #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the …

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 . “We must not trust in our own wisdom but in the Lord alone. For He directs a person’s steps. We are also called to show Him our ways, to reveal our plans to Him. For they aren’t made straight by our own work, but by His assistance and mercy.” St. Jerome #wisdom #AskGod #Godgivesliberally #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and …

“For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.” Luke 1:48 . Assumption of the Body of Holy Virgin Theotokos Saint Mary  On this day, was the assumption of the body of our pure Lady St. Mary, the Mother of God. While she was keeping vigil, praying in the Holy Sepulcher, and waiting for the happy minute of her liberation from the bonds of the flesh, the Holy Spirit informed her of her forthcoming departure from this vain world. When the time drew near, the disciples and the virgins of the Mt. of Olives came and the Lady was lying on her bed. Our Lord, surrounded by thousands and thousands of angels, came to Her. He consoled her, and announced her with the everlasting joy which was prepared for Her. She was happy, and she stretched out her hands, blessed the Disciples, and the Virgins. Then, she delivered up her pure soul in the hand of her Son and God, Jesus Christ, Who ascended her to the higher habitations. As of the pure body, they shrouded it and carried it to Gethsemane. St. Thomas was absent at the time of St. Mary’s departure, but he came after the burial. On his way back to Jerusalem, St. Thomas saw angels carrying St. Mary’s pure body and ascending with it to heaven, and one of the angels said to him, ‘Hurry and kiss the pure body of St. Mary.’ When he arrived to the disciples, they informed him about St. Mary’s departure. He told them, ‘I will not believe, unless I see her body, as you all know how I did doubt the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ before.’ They took him to the tomb, to uncover the body but they did not find it, and they were perplexed and amazed. St. Thomas told them how he saw the pure body ascending to heaven, carried by angels. The Holy Spirit then told them, ‘The Lord did not Will to leave Her Holy body on earth.’ May Her intercession be with us. Amen. Coptic Synaxarium

“For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.” Luke 1:48 . Assumption of the Body of Holy Virgin Theotokos …