Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
overview

The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States is composed of 36 priests serving the 30 churches and 25 Coptic communities. More

Follow us on the web



Subscribe to the Diocese's Email List

Join to receive messages from His Grace and event reminders or update your information.

Subscribe

The Season of the Church

The Departure of St. Anthony the Great

Jan 31, 2012
Tobe 22, 1728

Today's Readings

January 27, 2012
Tobe 18, 1728

Be humble so that God guards and strengthens you, because God looks to the humble. Be humble so that God fills you with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, because it is written that He guides the humble and teaches His ways to the meek. Be humble in order to be joyful, because joy goes hand in hand with humility.
St. Pachomius

readings

St. Anthony the Great: Wisdom Derived from Humility

Humility to virtues, it is often said, is like a root to a tree. A tree could not grow strong, bear fruit, or live a long life unless its roots are established deep in the ground. The branches of humility are modesty, unpretentiousness and respect. Therefore humility, defined as being free from pride, is primary for all those seeking a strong enduring relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Humility, once firmly established, makes the foundation for wisdom strong. King Solomon famed for his wisdom said, "When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom" (Proverbs 11:2). David the Prophet and King said, "The testimony of the Lord is sure, making the wise the simple" (Psalm 19:7), "the simple" referred to here being the humble. In the Holy Book of Sirach we read, "A poor man with wisdom can hold his head high and take his seat among the great" (Sirach 11:1). Again, the poor man in this verse refers to the humble. Why humble? The poor man knows he is poor, is patient when misfortunes strike him, blames himself in everything and does not care about the opinion of others because his aim is simply to please God.

St. Pachomius, the noted founder of coenobitic monasticism, said, "Be humble so that God guards and strengthens you, because God looks to the humble. Be humble so that God fills you with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, because it is written that He guides the humble and teaches His ways to the meek." Also St. Pachomius said, "Be humble in order to be joyful, because joy goes hand in hand with humility."
Read more


The Role of the Church and Servants in Ministry

God bestows His gifts on the church for a certain purpose which is for the sake of equipping the saints and preparing them for the work of ministry with the main goal that they may be able to edify the body of Christ. He gives some to be apostles, preachers, evangelists to do what needs to be done in order to bring God's people back to Him in repentance. Ministry is mainly service; and in order for it to be carried out successfully, preparing and equipping servants is the main concern of the church. Preparatory classes for servants are therefore not an invention of the church; but are biblically mandated having been practiced by Christ himself. However, completing a three or four year program in Ritual Theology and other subjects comprises only a small percentage of the equipping process. For full equipment more than that is required.
Read more


Previous Articles

Divine Confirmation of Perpetual Love
Church Construction and Symbolism Threaten No One, Neither Should Coptic Christianity

news and events

Press Release

2012 Weekly Holy Bible Study with His Grace

Southern Coptic Diocese "Youth for Christ" 2012 Award

Mighty Arrows Subscription Renewal

View here

Mighty Arrows Magazine - Fall Edition available now

View here

Word of Wisdom: Subscribe to the Abbey's New Mailing Program

join now

St. Moses Bookstore

View here


make a donation


Diocese Programs

St. Verena Resource Ministry

(SVRM) Requesting assistance or registering to be a Volunteer Consultant
Learn more

Family Ministry Program

(FMP) Summer Registration deadline: Apr 20, 2011
Learn more

Theological Seminary Program

Program Registration deadline: March 15, 2012
Learn more

H.O.P.E. Social Services

A social services program designed to help those in need.
Learn more


Diocese Events

Pre-Marital Retreats

FL: Feb 3-5, 2012
more info

Coptic Professional Adults Retreat

Feb 16-19, 2012
more info

Mexico Mission Trip

Jun 18-28, 2012
more info

Russia Trip

Jul 16-28, 2012
more info

Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States

P.O. Box 1005
Colleyville, TX 76034

Tel: 817-494-6215
Fax: 817-704-2389

admin@suscopts.org

St. Stephen Retreat Center

4951 S. Washington Ave.
Titusville, FL 32780

Tel: 321-567-4961
Fax: 321-567-4955

retreatcenter.suscopts.org

St. Mary Convent

153 W. Borgfeld Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78260

Tel: 361-389-5401
Fax: 817-704-2389

convent.suscopts.org

St. Mary & St. Moses Abbey

101 South Vista Drive
Sandia, TX 78383

Tel: 361-547-3257
Fax: 817-231-0135

abbey.suscopts.org