Week 5 - Friday
Bible Passage
1 Corinthians 15:33-34
Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin.”
Commentary
From The Life of St Paesa
When her parents died, St. Paesa turned her house into a shelter for the poor and the sojourner. She accepted everyone that came to her fulfilling their every need until she ran out of money.
After a time, evil people gathered around her, and eventually turned her mind to the ungodly way. She turned her home into a house of prostitution. When this news reached the elders of Shiheet, they sorrowed for her with great sorrow. The elders called upon St. John, the Short, and asked him to go to her, as an act of mercy, and to aid her in saving her soul, in turn for the good that she had done for them in opening her home.
Week 5 - Thursday
Bible Passage
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Commentary
St Pope Kyrillos VI
If you happen to fall into temptation, do not let the guilt of sin be an obstacle to prayer. If you cease praying till you repent, you will never repent, for prayer is the door to genuine repentance.
Week 5 - Wednesday
Bible Passage
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Commentary
St Mary of Egypt
I always had her [the Mother of God] as my Helper and Intercessor of my repentance…even till now the Mother of God helps me in everything and leads me as it were by the hand.
Week 2 - Tuesday
Bible Passage
2 Corinthians 4:6 NKJV
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Commentary
St Mary of Egypt
Sighing from the depths of my heart, I saw above me an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. Turning to Her, I prayed: "O Lady Virgin, who gave birth in the flesh to God the Word! I know that I am unworthy to look upon your icon. I rightly inspire hatred and disgust before your purity, but I know also that God became Man in order to call sinners to repentance. Help me, O All-Pure One. Let me enter the church. Allow me to behold the Wood upon which the Lord was crucified in the flesh, shedding His Blood for the redemption of sinners, and also for me. Be my witness before Your Son that I will never defile my body again with the impurity of fornication. As soon as I have seen the Cross of your Son, I will renounce the world, and go wherever you lead me.
Week 5 - Monday
Bible Passage
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”
Commentary
From the life of St. Mary of Egypt
St. Mary lived a life of sinful conduct and prostitution for seventeen years until the mercy of God touched her life, she met people going to Jerusalem and she went with them. Since she did not have what to pay for the trip, she gave herself to the owners of the ship in return, until she came to Jerusalem. She also went on doing the same there. She wished to enter through the door of the church of the Resurrection, but she felt a hidden power pulling her from the back preventing her from entering the church. Whenever she tried to enter she felt as if someone was preventing her from doing so, and right away she realized that was because of her uncleanliness. She lifted up her eyes with a broken heart, and she wept interceding with St. Mary and asked her to intercede on her behalf before her Beloved Son. She felt encouraged and wished to enter with those entering, nothing prevented her from entering, and she prayed therein to God asking Him to guide her for what was pleasing to Him.
Week 4 - Saturday
Bible Passage
1 Peter 4:8
Above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.'
Commentary
Abba Macarius and the Hiding of the Prostitute
Once, a woman who had lived a life of prostitution came to Abba Macarius in great distress. She was being pursued by some men who were angry with her for fleeing, and she sought refuge from him in the desert. Seeing her in deep shame, the saint took pity on her and, without hesitation, took her into his cell to hide her from the men.
When the men came searching for the woman and asked Macarius if he had seen her, he replied: “I have not seen her, nor do I know where she is.” They trusted his word and, seeing him as a holy man, left without questioning further.
Afterward, Macarius spoke to the woman kindly, offering her comfort, counsel, and the hope of redemption. He encouraged her to turn to God, repent of her former ways, and live a life of purity and humility.
In some versions of the story, it is said that the woman later chose to enter a monastery, leaving behind her former life and seeking true transformation. Saint Macarius’ mercy and refusal to judge her led to her spiritual renewal.
Week 4 - Friday
Bible Passage
1 Peter 2:23
Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.
Commentary
Abba Macarius and the False Accusation
It was said concerning Abba Macarius that some people in the village falsely accused him of fathering a child. When the woman who had been led astray became pregnant, the people seized Macarius and beat him mercilessly, calling him a hypocrite and a fraud. Yet he said nothing to defend himself. Instead, he bowed his head and accepted the punishment.
Later, when the woman was in labor, she suffered greatly and could not give birth. At last, she cried out and confessed: "I have slandered the holy man! He is innocent! It was another who caused my downfall!"
The people, realizing their sin, were struck with fear. They rushed to Abba Macarius' cell, seeking to beg his forgiveness—but they found that he had already fled deeper into the desert, avoiding their praise just as he had endured their insults.
Week 4 - Thursday
Bible Passage
Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Commentary
Abba Macarius and the Holy Women
Hearing this, the elder rose early in the morning, took his staff, and went into the city. When he arrived, he found the house where the two women lived, knocked on the door, and was received with joy. He said to them: "I have come from the desert to learn of your good works; tell me what you do, that you have been counted worthy of such a great measure of virtue."
But the women, surprised, said to him: "Truly, Abba, we live with our husbands, and what virtue do you see in us?"
The elder persisted, urging them to speak openly, and at last, they said: "We are married to two brothers, and we have lived together in one house for fifteen years. We have never spoken a harsh or insulting word to each other, nor have we quarreled. We wished to become nuns, but since our husbands would not permit it, we made a vow before God that, until our death, we would never speak a worldly word, but only remain in harmony, fasting and praying as much as we could."
Hearing this, Abba Macarius marveled and said: "Indeed, in fasting and asceticism I have surpassed you, but in humility, self-denial, and love, you have surpassed me." And he glorified God, returning to his cell with the realization that virtue is not found in the outward state of life, but in the disposition of the heart.
Week 4 - Wednesday
Bible Passage
James 4:6-7
Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Commentary
Abba Macarius and the Devil
Abba Macarius was returning from the marshes to his cell, carrying some palm leaves. He met the devil on the road, who was holding a scythe. The devil struck at him as much as he liked, but he could not harm him. Then the devil said, ‘What is your power, Macarius, that makes me powerless against you? I do all that you do. You fast, so do I; you keep vigil, and I do not sleep at all. In only one thing do you surpass me.’ Abba Macarius asked, ‘What is that?’ The devil replied, ‘Your humility. Because of that, I can do nothing against you.’
Week 4 - Tuesday
Bible Passage
Romans 6:11
Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Commentary
Becoming Like the Dead
A brother came to see Abba Macarius the Egyptian, and said to him, "Abba, give me a word, that I may be saved." So the old man said, "Go to the cemetery and abuse the dead." The brother went there, abused them and threw stones at them; then he returned and told the old man about it. The latter said to him, "Didn't they say anything to you?" He replied, "No." The old man said, "Go back tomorrow and praise them." So the brother went away and praised them, calling them, "Apostles, saints, and righteous men." He returned to the old man and said to him, "Did they not answer you?" The brother said, "No." The old man said to him, "You know how you insulted them and they did not reply, and how you praised them and they did not speak; so you too, if you wish to be saved, must do the same and become a dead man. Like the dead, take no account of either the scorn of men or their praises, and you can be saved."
Week 4 - Monday
Bible Passage
1 Timothy 6:7
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
Commentary
Abba Macarius and the Thief
While in Egypt, Abba Macarius discovered a man with a beast of burden stealing his possessions. Approaching the thief as if he were a stranger, Macarius assisted him in loading the animal. He then saw him off with great peace of soul, saying, "We have brought nothing into this world, and we cannot take anything out of the world" (1 Timothy 6:7). "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21).
Week 3 - Saturday
Bible Passage
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Commentary
A Silent Patriarch
As Pope, Kyrillos would pray the liturgy everyday as he would in his early monk days, during liturgy he would pray “with a deep voice, bowed head, and closed eyes with fear and respect. He never allowed himself to lean against the altar nor to talk with anyone during the liturgy. While praying, he used to shed many tears. His Holiness enjoyed celebrating the prayers of the divine liturgy by himself because it gave him the greatest spiritual comfort.”
It was later written of Pope Kyrillos that “not only has a monk become patriarch, but the patriarch has remained a monk.” He never abandoned his spiritual practice and life of prayer, which is the very thing that made him the great saint we know him as today.
Week 3 - Friday
Bible Passage
Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Commentary
St Isaac the Syrian’s Ascetical Homilies
Every good care of the mind directed towards God, and every meditation upon spiritual things is…called by the name of prayer…whether you speak of various readings, or the cries of a mouth glorifying God, or sorrowing reflection on the Lord, or making bows with the body, or psalmody in verses, or all other things from which the teaching of genuine prayer ensues.
A Silent Patriarch
Prayer is the mother of virtues and every religious instinct…It is the controller of anger and calming of the arrogant heart. It is power for the weak, wealth for the poor, a resort to the afflicted, a comfort to the grieving, and an intercessor for sinners. Prayer is the power of everything, without it, we lose everything.
Week 3 - Thursday
Bible Passage
Psalm 84:1-2
"How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God."
Commentary
A Silent Patriarch
A story that shows how much St. Pope Kyrillos VI loved praying the liturgy. This is during his time as a monk priest, Fr Mina el Baramosy (of the Baramos Monastery):
In the early morning before classes, they celebrated matins and the Divine Liturgy. Fr. Mina would wake up at 3am everyday to bake the eucharistic bread (orban). One day, he found the oven where he baked the bread had been deliberately destroyed, as his daily liturgical prayer caused some contention with the other priests around him. The very notion of daily liturgy in early 20th century Egypt was unheard of. But the disapproval from his fellow priests, as well as a broken oven were not enough to stop Fr. Mina. He remembered that the bakery across the street was open at the early hours of the day, so he went and asked the owner if he could use his oven to bake the bread. Even after such a delay that would’ve stopped anyone from praying liturgy, the liturgy continued as usual that day. Fr. Mina was later famously known to have said “If the priest is present, flour is handy, and the altar is available, [then] if we don’t pray, what shall we say to God?”
Week 3 - Wednesday
Bible Passage
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Commentary
A Silent Patriarch
This is how St Pope Kyrillos, who in this story was still Azer (his layman name before joining the monastery) lived his life from the age of 20-25 years old. Here, he writes to his brother, Hanna, in a letter offering spiritual advice:
Commit yourself to go straight from home to [school] and vice versa, likewise to church and spiritual meetings. Do not hurry in walking except when necessary. Do not turn right and left when walking in the street. Look straight ahead while walking, praying in your heart, "Lord take care of me; hide me under the shadow of your wings. Oh, my Lord Jesus Christ, deliver me from any offences..." When you come back from [school], take off your clothes, wash your face and rest for a little. If you want to have some recreation, you can go outside far from noise, and ponder the works of the Creator and the beauty of nature.... Do not reflect too much on the affairs of life. Do not worry about anything. Cast your burdens on the Lord, and He shall sustain you.
Go to bed early and awake early - when you awake, do not remain in bed. Start your day worshipping God in prostration twenty or thirty times or as many times as possible, for, among all other virtues undertaken by people, there is none better than this. After that go and wash your face and stand before God and thank Him for watching over you this night and keeping you alive until the morning... Read the Holy Bible with care. Give it time, as you do with the newspaper, for the word of God is sweeter than honey.
Week 3 - Tuesday
Bible Passage
Psalms 25:15-20
My eyes look to the Lord at all times, for he gets my foot out of the trap, look to me and have mercy on me for I am a poor lonely son, the sadness of my heart has increased, relieve me from my tribulations, O Lord look to my grief and distress and forgive me all my sins, look to my enemies for they have accused me falsely, keep my soul and save me. I do not wither for I have depended on you.
Story
From Pope Kyrillos’ Disciple
Fr. Raphael Abba Mina, the close disciple of St. Pope Kyrillos VI, said: “Since I set foot into the patriarchal residence, I have not seen his holiness go one day without shedding tears [through prayer] for the problems and troubles of the church. He was faced daily with the various problems of his children and the attacks from the ones who have gone astray with disobedience. Each problem touched his gentle heart and worried his humble soul; he would express his heavyweight with his words “if it was one worry, I would have withstood it, but it's one worry, and then a second, and a third.” He would bring his prayers to the altar everyday, where he lifted his soul up to the Lord, having a firm belief that He would bring him and the church out of tribulation.
Week 3 - Monday
Bible Verse
Mark 11:22-24
So Jesus answered and said to them, 'Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, "Be removed and be cast into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.'
Romans 8:5-8
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be fleshly minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Quote
A Silent Patriarch: Kyrillos VI
“Prayer can do all things, for it moves the Hand that manages the whole universe."
– St Pope Kyrillos VI
"There are no bad days and good days, but there are days of prayer and days without prayer. Those without prayer are empty and void because they have been filled with our desires and lusts."
– St Pope Kyrillos VI
Week 2 - Saturday
Bible Passage
Colossians 3:15
“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Commentary
Antony the Great
“The soul’s intensity is strong when the pleasures of the body are weakened.”
Week 2 - Friday
Bible Passage
Luke 14:26-27
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
Commentary
St. Antony the Great
“Thus every person, as though prepared for battle, came down from the mountain, braving the designs of the devil and his demons. How many young women who had suitors, having only seen Antony from afar, remained unmarried virgins for Christ's sake. And people came also from foreign parts of the world to see him, and like all others, having got some benefit, returned, as though sent forward by a father. And certainly when he died, all as having been grieved as by death of a father, consoled themselves solely by their remembrances of him, preserving at the same time his counsel and advice..”
Week 2 - Thursday
Bible Passage
Matthew 16:24
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’”
Commentary
From the Life of Antony
“'So then we ought to fear God only, and despise the demons, and be in no fear of them. But the more they do these things the more let us intensify our discipline against them, for a good life and faith in God is a great weapon. At any rate they fear the fasting, the sleeplessness, the prayers, the meekness, the quietness, the hatred of money and vainglory, the humility, the love of the poor, the almsgiving, and, most of all, their [reverence] towards Christ. Wherefore they do all things that they may not have any that [overcome] them, knowing the grace given to [them] against demons by the Saviour, when He says, "Behold I have given to you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy.”