TODAY'S READINGS
Ps 29:10-11
        And the LORD sits as King forever.
        The LORD will give strength to His people;
        The LORD will bless His people with peace.
 

Statement by the Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mark of Jersey City On the Murder of 21 Coptic Egyptian Citizens in Libya

Monday, February 16th 2015


For Immediate Release

The Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mark of Jersey City condemns the despicable and cowardly murder of twenty-one Coptic Egyptian citizens in Libya by ISIS terrorists.  We offer our condolences to His Holiness Pope Tawadrous II and to the families of the Martyrs. We also offer our support to the Egyptian government, led by President El-Sisi in taking all necessary measures of adequate response and remedy.  We grieve with all Egyptian people for our fellow citizens and children.
This deliberate killing of innocent people is the most recent of many atrocities perpetrated by extremist -affiliated terrorists against the Christians of the region and fills the cup of the cruel and evil actions being taken today by ISIS and the rest of their likes as a direct result of the wrong and misleading view of God and religion.

This heinous act underscores the urgent need for the peaceful teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Christian faith to be welcomed, considered and promoted in Egypt and all Arab Countries. Christians must have their freedom to worship, build their churches and preach the gospel with liberty and without persecution. 

Although this recent act of cowardice and evil resulting in the deaths of 21 young men left the church with a heavy heart, the church will never be shaken by such evil acts. Our church is a church of martyrs with a longstanding history of overcoming persecution in a peaceful manner, namely by fasting and prayer. So once again as we begin the Fast of Great Lent, we fast and pray for the 21 young men, their families, for all Egyptian citizens, for all victims of evil acts, for peace and we entreat our God to protect His people.  And as our Lord Jesus Christ taught us, we also pray for those perpetrators of evil “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”(Matthew 5:44,NKJV)

May the Lord protect all of us against all evil. 

For donations to help the families of the victims, please donate through our website and under the Description/Memo, enter "Martyrs of Libya".

 For comments and words of comfort, please visit our In Memorial page.

For press comments, please contact Mr. Joseph M. Ghabour, Esq., the Deacon of Public Relations at 201-333-0004. You can find more information about St. Mark’s at: http://SaintMark.com 

Nativity Greetings and Live Broadcast

Tuesday, January 6th 2015

"The LORD has said to Me, You are My Son, Today I have begotten You." (Psalm 2:7-8) The CopticChurch.net & Tasbeha.org sites would like to extend our most sincere greetings during the Feast of the Glorious Nativity. As we have grown accustomed, we will be broadcasting this year's Nativity Liturgy in video on January 6th starting at 7pm (EST). Related Links: We would also like to remind you of the wealth of information on both of our sites celebrating this glorious feast.

Christmas Papal Message

The Blessed Advent Fast

Wednesday, December 10th 2014


"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:1, 14, NKJV). 

As we approach the blessed period of the Coptic month of Kiahk, we would like to wish you a blessed and true fast as we prepare ourselves to receive the Logos of God incarnate. Since this period of our liturgical year is known for its many praises and hymns unlike any other period as we approach the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, we would like to remind you of some related resources:
We have also found that a committee was developed by the holy Synod, led by H.G. Bishop Makari, General Bishop of South Shobra, and the involvement of many well-known priests and cantors in the Church for the main goal of unifying the sources of Kiahk hymns. This committee has already met twice (on October 31 and November 3) and has chosen the sources for the following:
  • Nie;noc Tyrou
    • C. Mikhail El-Batanouni and C. Farag Abdel-Maseih
  • “Alli El-‘asr” - Alleluia of Vespers, Allylouia Pi`wou Va
    • C. Mikhail El-Batanouni and C. Farag Abdel-Maseih
  • `Areten;wn], 8th Part of the Saturday Theotokia
    • HICS (Higher Institute of Coptic Studies)
  • Kiahk Sherat, Saturday Theotokia Lobsh
    • C. Farag Abdel-Maseih
  • The Great Watos Commentary, Saturday Vespers Praise
    • C. Farag Abdel-Maseih for the Introduction
    • Constructing (tarkeep) the commentary parts according to Archdeacon Fahim Girgis
  • Psali Watos for Saturday Vespers Praise `Amwini Tyrou
    • Archdeacon Fahim Girgis
  • Saturday Theotokia in Kiahk Tune
    • C. Farag Abdel-Maseih and Archdeacon Fahim Girgis
  • Explanations of the Saturday Theotokia
    • Archdeacon Fahim Girgis in which the paragraph before last be elevated in pitch
    • All explanations may be constructed as it was agreed upon by C. Ibrahim Ayad and C. Gad Lewis
  • “Alli Nos El-lil” - Alleluia of Midnight
    • C. Mikhail El-Batanouni and C. Farag Abdel-Maseih
  • The Great Kiahk Hoos and its Alleluia
    • C. Mikhail El-Batanouni
  • Great Teoi `nhikanoc, 10th part of the Sunday Theotokia
    • C. Mikhail El-Batanouni
  • Tenen & Euhwc
    • C. Farag Abdel-Maseih and other cantors with the consideration of the set of ornaments (hazzat) on the first word repeat twice and not three times
  • Great `Ebolhiten
    • C. Tawfik Youssef
  • Conclusion of the Commentary for the Saintly Laborers, P=,=c Pencwtyr
    • C. Tawfik Youssef
  • Tenoueh `ncwk
    • Archdeacon Fahim Girgis
  • Sunday Theotokia Explanations
    • To be chanted in the annual theotokia tune or according to C. Tawfik Youssef recordings
  • Kiahk Psalies
    • Adam Psalies are to be chanted in the tune of Amen Alleluia (Adam Hymn after the Hoos - Agios O Theo’s)
    • Watos Psalies are to be chanted in the tune of The Burning Bush (Watos Hymn (Psali) for Thursday)
  • The Kiahk Psalm, Cwtem Taseri
    • C. Farag Abdel-Maseih and Archdeacon Fahim Girgis
  •  “Alli El-tawzi’” – Alleluia of the Distribution, and Psalm 150
    • Archdeacon Fahim Girgis
  • Je `F`cmarwout in Kiahk Tune and `Fem`psa Gar for Sundays
    • HICS (Higher Institute of Coptic Studies)
  • Kiahk Aspasmoses
    •  Adam - C. Ibrahim Ayad
    • Watos - C. Gad Lewis
  • Je `F`cmarwout in Kiahk Tune and }par;enoc for Weekdays
    • C. Tawfik Youssef
    • Comment: It is a traditional hymn that should be kept and chanted during prayers and hymns competitions

The following were mentioned to be present at the meetings: 
  • H.G. Bishop Makari, General Bishop of South Shobra (Committee Head)
  • Hegumen Isaiah El-Muharraqi, St. Mary’s Monastery of El-Muharraq
  • Fr. Youannis Halim, Youth Bishopric Hymn Board
  • Fr. Angelos Ishaak, HICS Hymns & Music Department
  • Mr. Michelle Badee Abdel-Malik, Head of HICS, Hymns & Music Department
  • Cantor Ibrahim Ayad, Teacher at Didymus Institute for Chanters and the Clerical School
  • Cantor Gad Lewis, Teacher at Didymus Institute for Chanters and HICS
  • Cantor Todari Anwar, Teacher at Didymus Institute for Chanters
  • Cantor Milad Nadi, Teacher at Didymus Institute for Chanters
  • Cantor Magdy Bekhit, Teacher at Didymus Institute for Chanters
  • Cantor Youssef Ayoub, Association (Rabetat) of Chanters in Cairo
  • Cantor Rida Barsoum, Teacher at HICS Hymns & Music Department and the Clerical School
  • Deacon Beshara Nader Attia, Secretary of Youth Bishopric Hymn Board

 


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