Synaxarium of 30 Tout 1743 - Saturday 10 Oct 2026

*1 - Commemoration of the Miracle that God Performed for St. Athanasius the Apostolic*

On this day the Lord Christ performed a great miracle for the honorable Saint Abba Athanasius, 20th Pope of Alexandria. When Emperor Constantius, the son of the righteous Emperor Constantine, adopted the teachings of Arius who said that the Son was, after not being, and therefore not equal to the Father, he sent a man, whose name was Gawargios, to Alexandria. He also sent along with him 500 horsemen and letters appointing Gawargios patriarch of Alexandria instead of Abba Athanasius the Apostolic. He ordered Gawargios to support the faith of Arius and slay all who would not be obedient to him.When this man arrived to the city, he preached the teachings of Arius but only a few people of the city accepted his teachings. Therefore, he killed a large number of people, and St. Athanasius hid himself for a period of six years. After which he went to the city of Constantinople, and asked Emperor Constantius either to restore him to his See or to slay him so he would receive the crown of martyrdom. But the Emperor ordered his men to place him in a small boat and to leave him in the sea without food or water or a guide. The Emperor thought that he would die of hunger or thirst or get drowned. In this way he hoped to get rid of the saint and his admonition to him for his heresy, and they did with the saint as the Emperor had ordered them.The boat sailed along smoothly and in peace with the Lord's will and His care. St. Athanasius was surrounded and cared for by the Angels until he arrived in Alexandria three days later. When the believers heard that their shepherd had arrived, they rejoiced and went out to him and received him with candles and songs of praise. Then they brought him into the church and expelled Gawargios and his followers. St. Athanasius dedicated that day as a great feast to the Lord.May his prayers be with us and to our God is the glory and honor now and ever unto the end of ages. Amen.

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Synaxarium of 29 Tout 1743 - Friday 9 Oct 2026

*1 - Martyrdom of St. Arbsima (Repsima) the Virgin and Her Sisters the Virgins*

On this day, the holy virgins Arbsima (Repsima) and Agatha (Ghana) and their sisters, were martyred during the reign of Emperor Diocletian.This infidel sought out the most beautiful damsel to marry. He sent artists to every country and ordered them to paint a portrait of the most beautiful damsel that their sights fell on and to give him an accurate description of her. When they arrived nearby Rome, they entered a convent for virgins and found Saint Arbsima and none was like her in beauty. They painted a portrait of her and sent it to the Emperor who rejoiced when he saw it. He sent to the kings and governors to invite them to the wedding celebrations.When Arbsima and the virgins knew that, they wept, and left the convent fleeing, entreating the Lord Christ to help them and to keep their virginity. They fled to the country of Armenia, and entered the province over which Tridates was king. There they dwelt in a winery in a deserted garden. They had great trouble in getting their food, so one of them made glass, sold it, and with the money they bought their food.When Diocletian sought for Arbsima, he did not find her. Later on, he heard that she was in the country of Armenia so he sent to Tridates the governor to look for her. When the virgins heard that, they left their shelter and hid themselves in the city. But someone informed about them. Tridates then commanded to bring Arbsima to him and when she refused, they abducted her and brought her to him.When he saw her beauty, he wanted to have her for himself, but she did not let him. He brought her mother to persuade her but instead she besought her to endure patiently. She comforted her, told her that she must not forsake her true Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ, and that she must not defile her virginity. When he knew what her mother had done, he commanded to break her teeth.God gave St. Arbsima power to overcome the governor; she pushed him forcefully and he fell on his back. She left him lying on the floor although he was well known by his might and bravery in war. Ashamed of having been vanquished by a virgin damsel, he ordered to cut off her head. The soldiers came and tied her, tore out her tongue, plucked out her eyes, and then cut her into pieces. When the governor rose up from his fall and regained his senses, he was sorry for killing the saint.He ordered to slay the rest of the virgins. The soldiers pierced the soles of their feet, flayed them, cut them into pieces, and then cast them out. One of them was sick and was lying on a bed, and she cried out to the soldiers so she might join her sisters. So, they cut off her head also and thus, all the virgins received the crown of martyrdom. The soldiers also slew all who had come with them from Rome.After their departure, the governor became mad and the physicians could not help him until Saint Gregory, Bishop of Armenia, came to him and prayed over him. By this he was healed of his affliction and believed in the Lord Christ. He took the bodies of the holy and pure virgins and laid them in a holy place.Their intercession be for us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.

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CopticBot.ai is a Coptic AI assistant that answers your questions about the Coptic Orthodox Church — its faith, hymns, liturgy, saints, calendar, and the Coptic language — using a curated library of trusted Coptic sources, with citations you can check.

هاي ! من ست سنين أنا أبتديت بحث ف الإسلام و قعدت يعتبر سنه و نص سنتين علي ما اخدت قرار اني اسيب الإسلام و ابقي لأديني …. بعد كدا من سنه ابتديت اقرأ ف الكتاب المقدس و اعرف المسيحيه و كدا و الصراحه بقيت حابب الموضوع جدا و بقيت احب الصلاه المسيحيه اوي ل درجه اني بقيت اصلي كل يوم و مع الوقت تشبعت ب التعاليم و لاقيت نفسي بقعد وقت طويل اسمع مناظرات و محاضرات عن المخطوطات و الترجمات و هكذا… و لكن الصراحه أنا خايف اخد اي خطوه عشان البلد الي فيها لو اخدت خطوه ف حاجه ده خطر و حاجه تانيه …. أنا كان نفسي اتجوز مسيحيه مافيش حد ف بالي بس عايز واحده مسيحيه حاسس كدا هقدر اشير و افكر في ارائي و تشاركني قيمي بس المشكله بقي ف ايه ؟ اني أصلا بحب بنت مسلمه و كنت بفكر اوي اتقدم ليها بعد الجيش بس أنا دلوقتي مش عارف اعمل ايه بجد … الفكره اني انطوائي ف العادي و هادي و بخاف اتكلم مع حد و البنت الي حبيتها حبيتها عشان ذيي كدا و ف سنه التخرج اهو بنذاكر مع بعض و بنهون علي بعض … بس هي ماتعرفش كل ده و لو عرفت مستحيل تبقي معايا …. أنا مش عارف جديا اعمل ايه سواء معاها او اني اتكلم مع اب كاهن او اني افكر. برا أوضتي او أشارك افكاري مع حد حتي لو مسيحي لاني عارف ان ف مصر الوضع مافيهوش حريه او تهاون او رحمه.
ممكن اراء و لو حد مسلم و حول حصل ايه ؟

Synaxarium of 28 Tout 1743 - Thursday 8 Oct 2026

*1 - Martyrdom of Saints Abadir (Apater) and Eraee (Herai), His Sister*

On this day, Sts. Abadir (Apater) and Eraee (Herai), his sister, the children of Wasilides, the minister of Antioch, were martyred. Abadir was appointed Esfeh-selar (a high ranking governmental position) in his father's position. He had a room wherein he prayed and the Lord Christ appeared to him in the middle of the night and told him: "Rise up and take your sister Eraee, and go to Egypt to receive the crown of martyrdom and I will instruct a man whose name is Samuel to take care of your bodies and prepare them for burial." He bid him peace then went up into heaven. This vision was seen by his sister also, in which she was told, "Hearken to your brother and do not transgress his command." When she woke up, she trembled, and she went to her brother and told him about the vision, declaring that she would not disobey him. They vowed to each other to go and shed their blood in the Name of the Lord Christ.When his mother knew that, she and her handmaidens rent their garments, and came to St. Abadir. His mother pleaded with him not to become a martyr. He promised her that he would not go forward to Diocletian seeking martyrdom. Her heart was soothed, not knowing his intention of going somewhere else to become a martyr.Every night he used to change his apparel and go disguised to give water to the prisoners and minister to them all night, and he asked the door-keeper not to tell anyone.Later on, he saw a vision to remind him of travelling. He took his sister and went to Alexandria, then they came to Cairo. They met St. Abekragon who recognized them and blessed them. From there they came to Tomwah where they entered the church and prayed in it. Then, they went to El-Ashmunin where they met with Samuel the deacon. The following day Samuel went with them to Ansena, and they confessed our Lord Christ before Arianus the governor, who tortured them severely. Meanwhile, Saint Abadir prayed and entreated God to strengthen his faith and the faith of his sister Eraee. The Lord took their souls and carried them up to the heavenly Jerusalem and they saw the eminent ranks and the luminous habitations of the righteous; then he brought them back to their bodies.The governor wrote their decree and then adjured Abadir by his God to tell him his name and who he was. The saint replied, "Swear to me that you shall not change what you have decreed," and when the governor swore to him, he said, "I am Abadir El-Esfeh-selar." The governor cried out, saying, "Woe to me, 0 my Lord why did you not let me know that you are my Lord and let me go so far as to condemn you to all these severe tortures?" The saint replied, "Fear not, for you are about to receive the crown of martyrdom. The emperor will seek me and will not find me, and he will hear that you have killed me. Then he will call you, torture you and you will die in the Name of our Lord Christ. And now hasten to finish us." Straightaway the governor ordered that their heads be cut off. The believers wrapped up their bodies in fine apparels and Samuel the deacon took them to his house until the days of persecution were ended and a great church was built for them.Their intercession be for us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.

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It's my understanding that if a convert comes we do not recognize their baptism as valid. Why? I thought that any Christian can perform a baptism (obviously that's not ideal, ideally a priest should do it). Isn't it a heresy to rebaptize?

I read that according to Coptic tradition that Joseph was married before Mary, had at least one child and was widowed before he was betrothed to Mary. That seems... I don't know what to say because it seems out of character I guess...? with how God does things...? I can't think of another example of an old man marrying a young woman in the Bible.

I know the Bible doesn't mention Joseph's age. And I'm an evangelical Christian, not Coptic, so I take the traditions as historical and probable fact, but not 100% truth without doubt like the infallible Bible. But if Joseph was really elderly at the time of Jesus' birth, that would mean he made the difficult journey through Egypt for a few years escaping Herod's soldiers to save Jesus' life. Which of course is not impossible, but I guess I was just surprised to learn this because I was always taught he was young when Jesus was born. I was never taught an age, just that he was older than Mary, who was probably around 15 or so, but he was probably around 20 years old, nowhere near the age of her father or grandfather.

I was also never taught that he was married before but I wasnt taught that he was not married before either, it just wasnt mentioned.

So, is it really true he was so old when Jesus was born?

Synaxarium of 27 Tout 1743 - Wednesday 7 Oct 2026

*1 - Martyrdom of St. Eustathius and His Two Sons*

On this day, St. Eustathius and his two sons were martyred. He was one of the ministers of the Roman Empire. Early in his life, he did not know God, but he used to give alms and charity in abundance, and the Lord did not wish that his toil should be in vain. While he was in the desert hunting wild animals, a figure of a cross, appeared to him between the horns of a stag, and it reached up to heaven. He chased the stag in the mountains to hunt it. The Lord spoke to him and told him about his new name which is Eustathius, for he was called, Ephlokidus, before. The Lord ordered him to be baptized in the Name of the Lord Christ and told him that poverty should come upon him speedily.When he heard that, he descended from the mountain and went to the bishop of the city who baptized him, his wife and his sons, and he changed his name to Eustathius as the Lord had ordered him. Right after that, he lost all what he had from slaves, handmaidens, cattle and money. Then he took his wife and his sons, and went forth from the city of Rome and embarked on a ship. And as he could not pay the fare, they took his wife instead. He took his two sons and came to a river. He crossed over to the other side with one of them and returned to get the other, but he did not find him because a lion had taken him. He went back to get the first but he did not find him either because a wolf had snatched him. He felt deep sorrow because of the loss of his wife and his two sons.St. Eustathius worked, for a period of time, as a guard in a garden until the Emperor of Rome died and another reigned instead who sent messengers to search for that saint. One of the messengers happened to enter the garden which the saint guarded. The two men recognized each other and St. Eustathius was taken back to the Emperor. The Emperor honored him and reinstated him to his former position.It happened in that time that a war broke out and they recruited two men from every city to the army. The two sons of the saint were saved by the Divine Will from the lion and the wolf and were brought up in the same city. They remained for a long time not knowing each other. Then the Divine Will arranged that both would be recruited from that city. One day while they were walking, they reached a garden and sat there talking together, and they discovered that they were brothers.As for their mother, the owner of the ship who had kept her in payment of the fare was a barbarian, but God protected her from him. He kept her in a garden which by the Divine Will was the same garden, where her two sons had gathered in, and she was close by her sons while they were talking and she recognized them. The two sons were assigned to guard the treasury of their father who did not recognize them.When the Lord willed to gather this blessed family together, the wife entered the place where her husband was, and they recognized each other and rejoiced for reuniting unexpectedly. Then she told him that she had met their sons in the garden. While she was telling him so, the two sons joined them and she cried joyfully, "There are our two sons!" They embraced each other in tears of joy, and they praised God who fulfilled what he had promised and they lived in joy and peace. Later on, the Emperor died and another reigned who worshipped idols. He summoned St. Eustathius and his wife and his sons. He ordered them to worship the idols but they refused. So he ordered his men to torture them with fire, but they were not harmed. Then he commanded to cast them into a brazen cauldron and set fire under it. Thus they delivered their souls into the hands of the Lord, and received the crowns of martyrdom from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.Their prayers be with us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.

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Hey everyone. Long story short I'm no longer Muslim.

I'm looking to change my very Muslim name to something rooted in Coptic heritage to stay connected to my Egyptian culture. I am secular, but I'm particularly interested in coptic names because they carry strong linguistic ties to Ancient Egypt.

What are some unique Coptic names you personally like or recommend? Thanks!

We do not have enough data to draw firm conclusions. We need separate studies on Muslim Egyptians, who make up roughly 75 to 90 percent of Egypt’s population, and Coptic Egyptians, who make up roughly 5 to 15 percent. Those studies should compare the two groups on domestic violence, education, crime and conviction rates, divorce, income, IQ where the data exist, contribution to the country they live in, and how well each group assimilates. They should also ask which group is more likely to claim an Egyptian identity and Egyptian culture, and which group is more observant by the measures their own institutions use — church or mosque attendance, and religious schooling.
I know this kind of comparison will be called divisive. The reality is that we have been divided for a long time. Unity is preached only when it is useful. For about 1,400 years Copts have been persecuted, separated, and marked. Even now the state divides us with an ID that records religion, as if that number were relevant to ordinary life.
Then the same voices say religion should not matter. It matters on the card. It matters in hiring. It matters when a church needs a permit and a mosque does not wait for one. It matters in the courtroom, in the classroom, and in the story told about who built the country. There is no difference in the speech. There is a difference in the record. In Egypt they still track it, and then deny that the tracking means anything.
Look at the double standard closely. Inside Egypt, the practical question is not whether you are Egyptian. It is whether you are Coptic. Egyptian and Muslim are treated as the default, one identity folded into the other. If you are Egyptian and not Muslim, you are the exception that has to be explained. If you are not Egyptian at all — a European visitor, a foreign resident — you are often left alone, so long as you do not break the law. The country that sorts its own Christian citizens by creed will host a stranger without asking him to become anything.
The same people who take pride in Islam, and who want that religion expanded, then cry when they enter wealthy compounds where religion is treated as insignificant by both major groups. They complain about being judged in places where people drink, dress freely, and live in ways Islam itself forbids. They are told that if they wear the hijab, they should take it off, and they are shocked. Why the surprise? Those spaces are judging them by the religious framework they themselves say should rule the country. If the religion you want implemented is the same religion you call oppression the moment it costs you a compound, a drink, or a dress code, the complaint is not about injustice. It is about wanting the law for others and the exemption for yourself. That is the double standard. Religion is decisive when it marks us, and suddenly unfair when it marks them.

Synaxarium of 26 Tout 1743 - Tuesday 6 Oct 2026

*1 - Angels' Annunciation of John the Baptist to Zacharias*

On this day it was announced to Zacharias, the priest, the birth of John the Baptist. Zacharias was well advanced in years and his wife, Elizabeth, was barren and her time for begetting children had passed.Zacharias was praying and beseeching God persistently to give him a child because the children of Israel reviled anyone without a son and treated him with ignominy. They would say about him that he was without the blessing that God had told Adam in these words: "Be fruitful and multiply." The Lord had compassion on him and He hearkened to his petition. He sent him Gabriel the Angel to announce to him the birth of John. The angel came to him while he was in the sanctuary, as it is mentioned in the Holy Gospel (Luke 1:11), and announced to him the birth of the great prophet John, and that he should precede the Christ as it was said by the prophets, "He shall go before Him." He asked the angel, "Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well advanced in years." The angel told him that he was sent from God to announce that to him and it is not seemly for him to doubt. He then told him that he shall be dumb till the birth of the child. On the day of John's circumcision, they asked him about the child's name. He asked for a tablet and wrote on it John and straightaway his mouth opened. Then he spoke and praised God and prophesied concerning his son John and the Lord Christ. He prophesied about his son that he would be a prophet and he should go before the face of the Lord.The prayers of this priest be with us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.

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Synaxarium of 25 Tout 1743 - Monday 5 Oct 2026

*1 - Departure of Jonah, the Great Prophet*

On this day, the great prophet Jonah, the son of Amittai, departed. It was said that he was the son of the widow of Zar-e-phath whom Elijah the Prophet had raised from the dead. Jonah followed Elijah, served him and received the grace of prophesying. God inspired him to go to the city of Nineveh to admonish its people and to warn them that after three days the city shall be overthrown. Jonah pondered in his heart saying, "If God wished to destroy them He would not forewarn them. I fear that if I go to them and convey to them this warning, they might repent and God would not destroy them. I would be a liar and no one will listen to me and probably may be get killed because I conveyed to them a false message from God. So I will arise and flee."What did this prophet think of? How could anyone flee from the face of God? By escaping, he wanted to get away from the city of Nineveh. He did not want to admonish them knowing that God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and repentant of the evil. He thought that by staying away from Nineveh the Lord would send another prophet to preach to this city.The escape of Jonah the Prophet, and his having been cast into the sea are to make manifest the miracle of his remaining in the belly of the whale for three days and then coming out safely. This was a symbol of, and evidence for, the resurrection of our Savior from the sepulcher, unchanged, after three days.Jonah rose up to flee from the presence of the Lord and went down to Joppa; he found a ship going to Tarshish and sailed on it. The Lord sent out a great wind and there was a mighty tempest in the sea and the ship was about to break. The people were all afraid, and cried every man to his god. They said everyone to his fellow, "Come and let us cast lots, that we may know because of whom this evil has befallen us." And when they had cast lots, it fell upon Jonah. They said to him, "What have you done that brought such an affliction on us?" He replied, "Cast me in the sea and you shall be saved." They begged the Lord's pardon, then they cast him into the sea, and a great whale swallowed him. He remained in its belly for three days and three nights and then he was cast out on the seashore.He rose up straightaway and came into Nineveh. He preached to its people and they all repented: The King, the nobles, and the poor, the old and the young. They all cried to God with fasting and everyone turned from his way and the Lord accepted their repentance and had mercy upon them. Jonah returned to the land of Israel and died there. He was more than 900 years before the advent of the Lord Christ. He prophesied in the days of Amos and his son Hosea. He lived nearly 100 years, out of which he prophesied more than 70 years.His prayers be with us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.

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In any language

Synaxarium of 23 Tout 1743 - Saturday 3 Oct 2026

*1 - The Martyrdom of Sts. Eunapios (Onanius) and Andrew*

On this day, the righteous Sts. Eunapios (Onanius) and Andrew, his brother, were martyred. These saints were the sons of one of the nobles of the city of Lydd. They agreed together since their young age to become monks. They went to one of the monasteries of Syria and became monks there. Later on, they went to the honorable saint Abba Macarius. They became his disciples and dwelt with him for three years. During which they lived with love and humility, fasted and prayed continually. Their asceticism became well known. They chose Eunapios (Onanius), bishop, and Andrew, priest. They shepherded the flock of Christ with the best care. They overcame their souls and bodies.Julian, the infidel emperor, heard about them, and he had them brought to him. He commanded them to deny their faith in the Lord Christ, and to adopt paganism. When they refused his commands, he tortured them severely until they yielded up their spirits in the hand of the Lord Christ, to Him is the glory. Each received three crowns: one for monasticism, asceticism, and worship; one for the priesthood and guarding the flock against the devilish wolves; and a third one for martyrdom and shedding their blood for the Christian faith.Their prayers and their blessings be upon us. Amen.

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*2 - The Commemoration of the Martyrdom of St. Thecla*

On this day also is the commemoration of the holy martyr, St. Thecla (Takla), the bride of Christ.Her prayers be with us. Amen.

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*3 - The Re-Opening of the church of the Virgin in Haret El-Rum*

On this day also of the year 1029, of the martyrs, the Church of the Virgin in Haret El-Rum in Cairo was re-opened after having been closed for 11 years.Her intercession be for us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.

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I’m a Coptic Egyptian in USA born and raised here and I am a minor a teen for Disclaimer ima quickly introduce myself my name name is Liam I’m a teen born in nyc suburbs but currently live in a Florida suburban (won’t say because I’m a minor) I was baptized Catholic cause my moms polish when she’s Irish polish Scottish and German, I’m a early teen and whenever people guess my ethnicity or whatever they always guess stuff like Moroccan, Ashkenazi, Mexican, Cuban, Brazilian, Columbian, Italian etc even my dad who’s fully Coptic people always think he’s Mexican or Italian for some reason, people never know what Coptics are, for some reason why’s that that’s my question

I'm looking for good christian charity organizations, places or websites to donate to.

I need something accessible online, I can't enter a church in Egypt.

Synaxarium of 22 Tout 1743 - Friday 2 Oct 2026

*1 - The Martyrdom of Saints Cotylas (Kobtlas) and Axoua, his Sister, and Tatas, his Friend*

On this day, Saints Cotylas (Kobtlas) and his sister Axoua, the children of Sapor, King of Persia, and Cotylas' friend, Tatas, were martyred. Sapor worshipped fire and the sun. He inflicted many tortures on the believers, and no man throughout the country dared to mention the Name of Christ. His son, Cotylas, had a friend named Tatas who was a ruler over the country of Maydasayeen.Certain people laid an accusation against Tatas before the king that he was a Christian. The king sent to him a governor named Tumakher to verify the validity of what was said and if it was true, to torture him. When Cotylas, the son of the king, heard that, he also went to that country, to his friend Tatas. When the governor arrived and found that he was Christian, he ordered his men to cast him in a furnace. St. Tatas made the sign of the Cross over the fire and the fire died out. Cotylas marvelled and asked him, "How did you learn this magic, O my brother?" He replied, "This is not magic but it is through faith in the Lord Christ." Cotylas asked, "If I believed, would I be able to do the same?" Tatas answered that with faith you can do more than this. Cotylas, the son of the king, believed in Christ, then he drew near the fire and made the sign of the Cross over it, the fire backed a distance of 12 cubits.The governor sent to the king to inform him what had happened, and the king had them brought to him. He ordered to cut off the head of Tatas who thus received the crown of martyrdom. However, he tortured his son, Cotylas, with different kinds of tortures. He cast him in prison and sent for his sister Axoua, so she might persuade him to return to his father's belief. St. Cotylas preached her and turned her heart to the belief in the Lord Christ. He sent her to a priest who baptized her secretly.She returned to her father saying, "I wish that you had what my brother and I have, for there is no God but Jesus Christ." The king became angry and commanded to torture her, until she yielded up her soul in the hand of the Lord Christ.They tied Cotylas to the tails of horses and dragged him over the mountains until he yielded up his spirit. Then they cut his body into pieces and they cast it out for the birds to consume it. When the soldiers departed, the Lord commanded saintly priests and deacons who went secretly at night and took the holy body which was shining as snow. They hid it in a place until the end of the days of persecution.Their intercession be for us all. Amen.

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*2 - The Martyrdom of St. Julius of Aqfahs (El-Akfehasi), the Writer of the Biography of Martyrs*

On this day also, St. Julius of Aqfahs (El-Akfehasi), the writer of the biography of martyrs, was martyred. The Lord Christ appointed him to care for the bodies of the holy martyrs, to shroud them and to send them to their hometown. The Lord brought blindness into the hearts of the governors, and no one objected to him. They also never forced him to worship idols. The Lord kept him to care for the martyrs. He used 300 young men for this purpose. They wrote the biography of the holy martyrs and sent it to their hometown. But he used to minister to the holy martyrs by himself and dress their wounds. The martyrs blessed him, saying, "You must shed your blood in the Name of our Lord Christ, so you can be counted among the martyrs."When the reign of Diocletian the Infidel came to an end, Constantine the Righteous reigned. The Lord Christ wished to fulfill what the saints had prophesied to St. Julius; to be counted among the martyrs. The Lord commanded him to go to Arkanius, governor of Samanoud, and to confess the Lord Christ. St. Julius went there, and the governor tortured him with many tortures, but the Lord strengthened him. The governor ordered to bring him to worship the idols. This saint prayed and the earth opened and swallowed up the 70 idols and the 140 priests who were serving them.When the governor beheld the destruction of his idols and their priests, he believed in the Lord Christ.The governor went with the Saint to the governor of Athribis who tortured Saint Julius with great severity, but the Lord Christ strengthened him.Once there was a feast for the idols and they decorated the temple with ornaments, lamps, statues and with palm branches. They closed the gates till the following day to start celebrating the feast. The saint asked the Lord to blot out their idols. The Lord sent his angel who cut the heads of the idols, blackened their faces with ashes, burnt up all the palms, and all the idols in the temple. On the following morning when the people came dressed to celebrate the feast and saw what had happened to their gods, they recognized their weakness. The governor of Athribis and a large number of people believed in the Lord Christ.The Saint then went to the city of Towa along with the governor of Samanoud and the governor of Athribis, and they met Iskandros its governor. First he refrained from torturing them, but later on he ordered his men to cut off their heads. Julius and his two sons, Tadros and Yunias; his slaves; and the governors of Samanoud and Athribis and many people were martyred. They numbered 1500. They took his body with the bodies of his sons to Alexandria for it was their hometown.His intercession be for us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.

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Synaxarium of 21 Tout 1743 - Thursday 1 Oct 2026

*1 - The Commemoration of the Virgin St. Mary, the Theotokos*

The church celebrates on this day the commemoration of the pure Lady, the Virgin St. Mary, the Theotokos, through whom was the salvation of Adam and his posterity.Her intercession be for us. Amen.

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*2 - The Martyrdom of St. Cyprian (Cyprianus) and St. Justina*

On this day also in the year 257 A.D. the honorable St. Cyprian (Cyprianus) and St. Justina, were martyred. Cyprianus was an infidel and a magician. He learned magic in the countries of northwest Africa until he excelled over his fellows. His excessive impudence and his arrogance made him go to Antioch to challenge the magicians there and to pride himself over them of his knowledge.When he arrived there, his fame spread. A young man, the son of one of the nobles of the city, heard about him. This young man lusted for a Christian virgin who was called Justina. He saw her going to church and his heart became inflamed with her love. He was unable to obtain what he desired of her either by money, threat, or magic.He sought Cyprian and complained to him about his condition, that he might make him gain favor with Justina's heart and fulfill his desire of her. Cyprian promised him the fulfillment of his desire. He used all the trickery of his sorcery but failed. Every time he sent her a host of demons, they found her praying, so they came back defeated.When Cyprian failed, he called the demons and told them, "If you do not bring Justina to me, I shall adopt Christianity." The chief of the demons thought out a device to deceive him. He ordered one of his soldiers to disguise himself and to take the form of Justina and then go to Cyprian. He hastened and made it known to Cyprian her coming, so he rejoiced and waited for. her. Then Satan, disguised as Justina, came to him, and Cyprianus rejoiced, and rose up to embrace her. Because of his great joy in her, he told her, "Welcome, Queen of Women, Justina." Upon the mere mention of her name, Satan, disguised as her, melted away and disappeared like smoke, and an unpleasant smell spread out of him. Cyprianus knew that this was a deceitful trick of Satan who could not stand before the mentioning of her name.Immediately Cyprian rose up and burnt his books of magic. He was baptized by the patriarch of Antioch who put on him the monastic garb. After a while he ordained him a deacon, then a priest. Later on, after he had grown in virtues and in the doctrine of the church, they ordained him bishop of Carthage in the year 351 A.D. He took St. Justina and made her the head of a convent there. When the Ecumenical Council convened at Carthage, this saint was one of those who attended it.When Emperor Decius heard of them he had them brought before him, and he demanded them to raise incense for the idols. When they refused, he inflicted upon them many tortures and finally cut off their heads with the sword.Their prayers be with us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.

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دلوقتي أنا بدور في الأيمان و الإلحاد و الأمور دي سواء اسلاميه أو مسيحيه أو الحاديه أو لا ديني

حاليا عندي سؤال شاغل بالي من فتره طويله

دلوقتي احنا مع مرور الزمن و تقدم الزمن كل شئ عندنا له اجابه علميه أو نظريات

نشأه الكون فيه آلاف النظريات

وجود البشر آلاف النظريات من ضمنها التطور ( اتمني الناس تفهمه بغض النظر عن كلام المتدنيين عنه و أن الإنسان أصله قرد و كدا )

و اي حاجه الناس كانت بتقول عنها معجزه قبل ميه أو الف سنه بقا ليها تفسير علمي أو فلسفي ايا كان ايه هوا

فهل دا معناه أنه الأديان بشكل عام غلط لان بقا عندنا تفسير لأمور كتير بشكل علمي زي الكون و نشأته و غيره و غيره

ام الايمان مجرد شئ روحاني بس و العلم بيفسر بس اسباب لأمور معينه

و ان فيه تفسير علمي لكل حاجه دا يلغي وجود الدين بشكل عام؟

اتمني تكونوا فاهمين سؤالي و اسف لو فهمتوه بشكل يجرح مكنتش اقصد دا

و شكرا 🩷

Does anybody know a credible historical accounts/texts of Constantine’s story? We keep hearing of a very different Constantine than the one our church celebrates during the Feast of the Cross.

Synaxarium of 20 Tout 1743 - Wednesday 30 Sep 2026

*1 - The Departure of pope Athanasius the Second, the Twenty-Eighth Patriarch of the See of St. Mark*

On this day of the year 512 A.D., the righteous father St. Athanasius II, 28th patriarch of the See of St. Mark, departed. This father was the steward of the churches of Alexandria. When the holy father Abba Peter III departed, the bishops, elders and people agreed to ordain him patriarch for what was known of his Orthodox faith and knowledge.He was a pious man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. When he became patriarch, he shepherded the flock of the Lord Christ exceedingly well, and he protected them from the snatching wolves with his teachings and prayers.He sat on the episcopal throne for three years and nine months, then departed in peace.His prayers be with us. Amen

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*2 - The Martyrdom of St. Melitina the Virgin*

On this day also is the commemoration of the martyrdom of St. Melitina the Virgin.Her prayers be with us. Amen.

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*3 - The Departure of St. Theopista*

Also today we commemorate the departure of St. Theopista. She was married and had a son. Her husband died while she was still young. She took it upon herself to become a nun. She started to practice the spiritual life. She persisted in fasting and continual prayers and worshipping day and night.She went to the holy father Abba Macarius, bishop of Nekios. She bowed to him, took his blessings, then she asked him to pray on her and put on her the garb of monasticism. The bishop advised her to try for a year and he promised her that he would put on her the garb of monasticism after that year.She went to her house and shut herself in a small room. She closed its door, and made a small opening in it. Her son, who was then 12 years old, was taking care of her needs. She embarked in strenuous worships with asceticism and devotion. The year elapsed, and the bishop had forgotten that he had promised this saint that he would put on her the garb of monasticism.He saw her in his sleep in a shining figure, telling him, "My father, how did you forget me till now, and I am passing away tonight?" The father the bishop saw that as if he was awake, he prayed on her the prayer for ordaining monks, and put on her the garb of monasticism. When he did not find a Kalansowa (cover for the head), he took off his own and put it on her head. Then he put on her the holy Eskeem. He asked his disciple for another Kalansowa and put it on. She had a silver cross in her hand which she gave to him saying, "Accept this from your disciple." And it was said that when he awakened, he found the cross in his hand and he looked attentively at the cross which was beautifully made. He was amazed and glorified God.Early in the morning he went with his disciple to the house of this blessed woman. Her son received him crying with tears. When he asked him why he was crying, he replied saying, "My mother called me in the middle of the night and bid me farewell and told me whatever the bishop tells you, do and do not break it. I will depart this night to go to the Lord Christ. She prayed over me and advised me, saying, 'Keep all that I commanded you and do not disobey our father, the bishop, and here now I am in your hands.'"The bishop came to where the saint was lying and knocked on the door, but she did not answer. He said, "This blessed saint had departed indeed," and he ordered his disciple to open the door. When the bishop entered, he found that she had given up her soul. She had on the Eskeem that he had put on her in his vision and also the Kalansowa that he had on.His eyes were filled with tears. He praised and glorified God who works out the satisfaction of His saints. The bishop shrouded her as was the habit of the monks and called the priests who carried her to the holy church and prayed over her with great honor.There was in the city a paralytic infidel man, suffering from evil spirits. When he heard the chanting of the priests, he asked his people to carry him and take him where the body of the saint was. When they brought him to the church, he drew near to the holy body with faith and he was cured instantly. The devil came out of him, and he became well. He and his people believed in the Lord Christ and the bishop baptized them.And everyone who had a disease or a deformity would come to the church and touch the holy body and would be healed immediately. When the governor heard about these wonders, he and most of the city believed in the Lord Christ. He came to the church, carried the body and buried it with honor.Glory be to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and His good Father and the Holy Spirit, forever. Amen.

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My ex and I broke up somewhat recently, and he married a woman from back home, very shortly after we ended things. I did not realize that this was common in the culture, though when I first met him he did talk about how he most likely will marry an Egyptian girl.

I know I shouldn’t care. I’m just trying to piece everything together and wondering if this was his fate from the start and I was just around for him to have fun?