May - MKE

***St. Mark the Apostle

(Madeeha in Coptic Reader)

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ: Ⲁⲃⲃⲁ Ⲙⲁⲣⲕⲟⲥ Ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ

***St. George

(Madeeha in Coptic Reader)

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ: ⲡⲁϭⲟⲓⲥ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ Ⲅⲉⲱⲣⲅⲓⲟⲥ

***St. Dolagy (Bashans 6)

On Bashans 6 of the year 19 of the martyrs (303 A.D.) mother Dolagy and her four children, Soris, Horman, Abanoufa and Shentas, were martyred. When Arianus, governor of Ansena, arrived to Esna, these four brothers met him when they were guiding their animals carrying watermelons. One of the governor’s soldiers asked them about their belief. They professed their faith in the Lord Christ so they seized them. When their mother knew, she went in hast to encourage and strengthen their faith. The governor ordered to also imprison her. During the night the holy Virgin St. Mary appeared to her and told her that the Lord Christ had prepared for her and her children the crowns. The next morning the governor summoned them and ordered them to raise incense before the idols however they refused and declared their Christianity. The governor ordered to slay them so the mother came forward and offered them one after the other to be assured of their steadfastness in their faith. The governor, for his cruelty, he ordered to slay them on her knees. Then they beheaded mother Dolagy after them and they all received the crowns of martyrdom. The believers took their bodies and buried them in their house which became later on a church after their names. A Church after their names is presently located in the city of Esna. May the blessing of their prayers be with us all. Amen.

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ: Ϯⲙⲁⲩ Ⲇⲟⲗⲁⲅⲓ Ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ

***St. Athanasius the Apostolic

(Madeeha in Coptic Reader)

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ: ⲁⲃⲃⲁ Ⲁ̀ⲑⲁⲛⲁⲥⲓⲟⲥ ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲓⲕⲟⲥ

***Archdeacon Habib Girgis (Mesra 15)

On Mesra 15th, the Church celebrates the departure of the saint, Archdeacon Habib Girgis (whose sainthood was recognized by the Holy Synod in its session on June 20, 2013 AD). Habib Girgis was born in Cairo in 1876 from a pious and blessed family. He completed his studies at the Coptic Secondary School in Azbakeya, which was affiliated with the patriarchal residence in 1892. He lived his entire life celibate, consecrated, and devoted to study and teaching.
He joined the Theological College (Clerical College) when Pope Kyrillos V opened it in 1893. He was the first student to be admitted and the first to graduate in 1898. He had been appointed a religion teacher in the final year of his study due to the abundance of his knowledge and his piety. During his study, he dedicated himself to extensive reading in the Patriarchal Library and read most of the manuscripts and printed books in it. He also frequently attended and became a disciple of Hegumen Fr. Philotheos Ibrahim, the head of the St. Mark’s Church in Azbakeya and the most famous preacher of his time in the Coptic Church, and he drew deeply from his vast knowledge.
When Pope Cyril V saw his knowledge, godliness, and ability to preach, he appointed him his personal deacon. In 1918, he appointed him Director of the Theological College and provided him with all the necessary resources. From that time on, he dedicated all his energy and time to serving the College—he taught, authored books, selected worthy professors for teaching, managed the funds it needed, developed the curricula, and elevated the students’ academic level.
He founded the Sunday School program and created the necessary curricula for it. He authored many religious books and spiritual songs. He also founded a monthly magazine called Al-Karma Magazine, in which he and a select group of professors from the Theological College and cultured servants would write.
Habib Girgis was not merely the director of the Theological College; he was truly the initiator of the Church’s renaissance in the modern era. His teachings—whether in his books or sermons—were not just theoretical words; he lived these words and applied them in his life.
After Archdeacon Habib Girgis served the Church for 55 years with self-giving and sacrificial service, he became ill for a short time and departed on August 21, 1951 AD, corresponding to 15 Mesra 1667 AM. May the blessing of his prayers be with us. Amen.

Ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ: Ⲡⲓⲁⲣⲭⲏⲇⲓⲁⲕⲱⲛ Ϩⲁⲡⲏⲡ Ⲅⲉⲣⲅⲉⲥ