Coptic Christians
Continue to Suffer
Continue to Suffer
The declaration of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russian regarding the continued attacks on the Coptic Orthodox Christians of Egypt
The Russian Orthodox Church views the events in Egypt with pain and sorrow. Again blood has been shed and Christian temples destroyed. On the face of it, this appears to be an expected manifestation of the growing intolerance towards Christians in Egyptian society, of the lack of physical and legal protection.
Our Church knows from her recent history about the suffering of innocent people and the destruction of churches. We raise our voice in defence of our brothers in faith in Egypt. We call upon civil society not to be apathetic toward the lawlessness that has been wrought. The United Nations and other international organizations, who have the power to influence the new authorities in Egypt politically, must single-mindedly take a stand against the persecution of Christians. They must do all that they can in order to enable inter-religious peace and safety in the region.
The trials that the Egyptian Christians are bravely facing are links in a single chain, and are already producing a new wave of immigration. Egpyt is a country where Christian and Muslim communities have existed for centuries. Aggression against Christians exerts a destructive, radical force upon the conscience, guided by motives that are by no means spiritual. We address the leaders of the Muslim world with a request that they clearly condemn violence against Christians, that they respect the right of Christians to openly confess their faith and to keep their religious and cultural traditions. In this hour, when the very future of Christian-Muslim dialogue is threatened, religious leaders must actively demonstrate their commitment to peace and understanding.
We call upon the authorities of Egypt to quickly put an end to the violence against the ancient Coptic community, to the killing of Christians, and to the desecration of Christian churches and holy things. It is not enough to declare allegiance to the principles of justice and the rights of man. It is necessary to ensure real protection for freedom of conscience in the country. The historical Christian community in Egypt must have the right to freely and safely confess its faith, preserve old temples and build new ones.
The Russian Church again expresses Her support for our struggling Egyptian brothers in Christ, calling on them to maintain a peaceful spirit, not to give in to provocation, and to be faithful to the Savior, even in suffering.
+ KIRILL, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA
The Russian Orthodox Church views the events in Egypt with pain and sorrow. Again blood has been shed and Christian temples destroyed. On the face of it, this appears to be an expected manifestation of the growing intolerance towards Christians in Egyptian society, of the lack of physical and legal protection.
Our Church knows from her recent history about the suffering of innocent people and the destruction of churches. We raise our voice in defence of our brothers in faith in Egypt. We call upon civil society not to be apathetic toward the lawlessness that has been wrought. The United Nations and other international organizations, who have the power to influence the new authorities in Egypt politically, must single-mindedly take a stand against the persecution of Christians. They must do all that they can in order to enable inter-religious peace and safety in the region.
The trials that the Egyptian Christians are bravely facing are links in a single chain, and are already producing a new wave of immigration. Egpyt is a country where Christian and Muslim communities have existed for centuries. Aggression against Christians exerts a destructive, radical force upon the conscience, guided by motives that are by no means spiritual. We address the leaders of the Muslim world with a request that they clearly condemn violence against Christians, that they respect the right of Christians to openly confess their faith and to keep their religious and cultural traditions. In this hour, when the very future of Christian-Muslim dialogue is threatened, religious leaders must actively demonstrate their commitment to peace and understanding.
We call upon the authorities of Egypt to quickly put an end to the violence against the ancient Coptic community, to the killing of Christians, and to the desecration of Christian churches and holy things. It is not enough to declare allegiance to the principles of justice and the rights of man. It is necessary to ensure real protection for freedom of conscience in the country. The historical Christian community in Egypt must have the right to freely and safely confess its faith, preserve old temples and build new ones.
The Russian Church again expresses Her support for our struggling Egyptian brothers in Christ, calling on them to maintain a peaceful spirit, not to give in to provocation, and to be faithful to the Savior, even in suffering.
+ KIRILL, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA
Sunday November 13, 2011 / October 31, 2011
22nd Sunday after Pentecost. Tone five.
Martyr Epimachus of Pelusium, who suffered at Alexandria (250).
New Hieromartyr Priest John Kochurov of Chicago and St. Petersburg (1917).
New Hieromartyr Leonid (1918).
New Hieromartyrs Vsevolod, Alexander, Sergius, Alexis, Basil priests, Hieromartyrs Anatolius, Euphrosynus amd Martyr James (1937).
New Hieromartyr Innocent (1938).
Venerables Spyridon and Nicodemus the Prosphorabakers of the Kiev Caves (1148).
Venerable Maura of Constantinople (436).
Venerable Anatolius, recluse of the Kiev Caves (12th c.).
New Martyr Nicholas the New of Chios (1754) (Greek).
Venerable Foillan, Irish monk-martyr (655) (Neth.).
Martyr Quentin of Rome (3rd-4th c.).
St. James, bishop of Mygdonia (4th. c.).
Commemoration of the Martyrs of Tbilisi slain under Jelaluddin (1227) (Georgia).
Martyr Epimachus the Roman and his companion Gordian (361-363) (Greek).
Martyrs Stephen, Barnabas, Trophimus, Dorymedon, Cosmas, Damian, Sabbas, Bassa, Abraham, and others with them (Greek).
Martyrs Seleucius and Stratonica his wife, myrr-gushers (Greek).
Galatians 6:11-18
Glory Only in the Cross11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
Blessing and a Plea
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Luke 8:26-39
A Demon-Possessed Man Healed
26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.
And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.
32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. 33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.
34 When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. 37 Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.
38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.
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