image

“Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.” – John 2:19-20 . “The disciples had gathered behind closed doors due to their fear of the Jews (John 20:19). When a person remains in the city of revelation, feeling secure, and overcome by holy meditation- while in fear of evil spirits, and enclosing his senses, that person welcomes the word of God. Then it is revealed to him in a mysterious manner rather than through the senses. It proclaims peace to him, while granting calmness and freedom from lusts…as he inhales this breeze, it grants him the many gifts of the Holy Spirit and the power over evil spirits, while revealing to him the marks and concepts of the divine mysteries.” – St. Mark the Ascetic . “God, who is loving and merciful, has released the body from its imprisonment, and has liberated it from the slavery of destruction. A slavery that is deadly and bitter. He has granted the body immortality in the eternal life. In this manner, He has granted the human body the gift of holy eternity, making it immortal and alive for ever.” – St. Clement of Alexandria #doorswereshut #peacebewithyou #resurrection #appearance #disciples #ChristIsRisen #TrulyHeIsRisen #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox