St. Mina, who is called the blessed faithful, was martyred on the 15th of Hatour. His father, Eudoxius, was a native of the city of Nakiyos (Nikiu) and was its Governor. His brother was envious of him and he brought charges against him before the Emperor. The Emperor transferred him to Afrikia and appointed him Governor over it. The people were pleased with him because he was merciful and God-fearing.
His mother Euphemia had no children. One day she went to church on the feast of our Lady, the Virgin, the Mother of God, at Attribes. She saw the children in the church wearing their beautiful clothes with their parents. She heaved a sigh and wept before the icon of Our Lady St. Mary, entreating her to intercede for her before her beloved Son, in order that He would give her a son. A voice came from the icon saying, "Amen." She rejoiced in what she had heard and realized that the Lord had heard her prayers. When she returned to her home and told her
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman:
The story of the Samaritan Woman is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. It is a unique story, for the Lord meets this woman who is a Gentile in many ways, and carries on a conversation with her. He leads her away from the shames of her life and grants her the mission of evangelism. In a short period of time, she attracts the city with her preaching and leads its people to the Savior of the world.
The question is, why a Samaritan?
Papal Christmas Message 2013 by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II
I congratulate you my dear beloved children on this blessed Christmas, wishing you the blessings of joy, richness and peace in your life, work, and families from the Holy Born Baby in the manger - blessings. May all Christmas celebrations find you filled with peace in spirit and good health.
The Precious Event
The incarnation and birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the most precious events in the history of mankind. In this event we meet various aspects of God’s creation. For example:
The Papal Encyclical for the Glorious Feast of Nativity 2018
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen.
I congratulate you on the New Year 2018 and on the glorious Nativity, the first of the Lord’s feasts that we celebrate every year.
I extend my congratulations to all: the fathers the metropolitans, the bishops, the hegumens, the presbyters, The deacons, the ministers, the servants, the members of the churches boards and to all the Coptic Christian people in our churches worldwide, In Europe, North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. I congratulate you all on this feast, the feast of the glorious Nativity.
Christmas is a new beginning celebrated annually. We recall the first creation when God made Adam and Eve, gave them existence, and began a good life with them. They enjoyed life with God and lived it in purity and beauty. But when sin entered into their lives, it shattered their strong relationship with God. Adam became fearful and hid himself, and Eve likewise. They were cast away from God’s presence. Man lived and multiplied in the land according to the commandment, and many nations and races spread all over the world. To Africa, Asia, and Europe went Sham, Ham, and Japheth. Humanity spread as did sin, conflict, crime, and human violence. Man struggles in constant war, both internal and