When entering the summer holiday periods it's important to think about the goals you want to achieve to help guide how you spend your time. During this talk, Father Mark proposes goals: spiritual, academic, family growth, personal growth and friendships and shares some ideas of how to achieve these goals.

Summer Family Goals

“The Cross is not merely a symbol of suffering — it is the weapon by which Christ triumphed. At Calvary, what looked like defeat was in fact the greatest victory in history. As St. Paul writes in Colossians 2:15, Christ ‘disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, triumphing over them in the cross.’ The cross stripped the enemy of his weapons, broke the chains of sin, and shattered the power of death. In this message, Father Daniel reveals how the cross continues to be God’s weapon in the life of the believer — silencing accusations, breaking strongholds, and arming us with the victory of Christ. The cross is not weakness; it is divine strength unleashed against every force of darkness.”

“The Cross That Disarmed the Powers”

Jesus is revealed to us today through Scripture and the Holy Eucharist. Just as the disciples were blessed to see and hear Him, we are called to open our eyes and hearts, to meet Him face to face every day!

Face to Face with Jesus

The Cross - A Symbol of Salvation by Mina Thomas

In this powerful sermon, Fr. Mark unpacks the message of salvation found in the Feast of the Glorious Cross. Drawing from Numbers 21, John 3:14–15, Hebrews 12:2, and other passages, he reminds us that true healing and life come only by fixing our eyes on the Cross of Christ.
Fr. Mark outlines what God did not command Moses to do—heal by his own power, offer sacrifices, build hospitals, or drive out serpents—and shows us how every good work is meaningless if it does not point us back to the crucified and risen Lord.

Look to Me and be Saved! Second day of the feast of the Glorious Cross

Part 2 in our series “From Scandal to Saint.” Fr. Elijah tells the gripping story of St. Abraham the Hermit and St. Mary of Edessa—a holy niece who lived twenty years in purity, fell hard, then rose even higher by God’s mercy. Their lives reveal two truths we must hold together:
 1. the horror of sin and what it does to the soul,
 2. the greatness of God’s mercy, which pursues, restores, and sends us back stronger.

Walk through Mary’s despair, Abraham’s relentless love, and the dramatic rescue that mirrors the Good Shepherd. Learn why untested virtue is fragile, why despair is the soul’s killer, and how godly sorrow leads to real repentance. If you feel checkmated, remember: the King still has another move.

From Scandal to Saint - Part 2: Abba Abraham and His Neice Mary

n this powerful sermon, Fr. Paul Girguis unpacks the story of Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector, and challenges us to reflect on the “tree” we must climb to see Jesus. Zacchaeus reached the end of himself—his wealth, power, and sinful pleasures left him empty—so he humbled himself and climbed a tree to encounter Christ.
Fr. Paul reminds us that there are always two trees before us:
The Cross of Christ – the place of love, forgiveness, and transformation.
Our own cross – the hardships and trials God allows to purify us and draw us closer to Him.
Will the Cross of Christ be enough for you, or will you need to be brought to your own tree of suffering before you surrender to Him? This message invites us to humility, repentance, and a deeper love for the Savior who says, “Today salvation has come to this house.”

Zacchaeus and the Two Trees - Choosing the Cross of Christ

Listen To Full Sermon: "Lessons From St. John the Baptist" @ St. John the Baptist Coptic Orthodox Church - Miami, FL ~ September 11, 2025
https://on.soundcloud.com/MzlrETjTwVVcQm7eyM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1--wfbansU&t=732s

Reflection ~ Preparing My Heart For The Lord

OCCM Meeting @ UCF - Orlando, FL ~ September 30, 2025

Patience Is The Friend of Every Virtue

01/27/2019

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Liturgy Series: Part 3 [Offering of the Lamb: Part 1] | The Harvest (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

We strive to provide a place of worship to people of all languages and backgrounds while observing the sacraments and ancient traditions of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria.

Liturgy Series: Part 3 [Offering of the Lamb: Part 1] | The Harvest (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church