Saint Mina Holmdel, NJ - Coptic Orthodox

Coptic Orthodox

The Feast of Nayrouz marks the Coptic New year and the Coptic calendar is one oldest calendars in the world. To better understand the importance of the Feast of the New Year, which is on the first of the month of Thout, it is very interesting to see the word Nayrouz comes from the Coptic word “niiaroouz” which means rivers. Mid-September is usually the time when the Nile River waters rise and prayers are raised to God for the rising of the waters of the rivers for irrigation and good crops.

During the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Diocletian starting in 283 A.D., the Coptic Christians adopted their

Read more: The Feast of Nayrouz

One day, an intense battle ended with the victory of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. So he wanted to reward those valiant soldiers of different nationalities who performed outstanding acts of bravery. "My brave soldiers," shouted Napoleon, "tell me what you desire and I will be obliged to perform it."

The Polish hero said, "Give Poland it's independence”. The emperor agreed and said, "I will."

The poor Czechoslovakian said, "I am a farmer, give me a piece of property to plant." The emperor said, "It's yours, my friend".

The German said, "Give me a bar in which to drink beer." The emperor said, "Grant him a bar".

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?