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Episode 043: St Michael, 53rd Pope of Alexandria
St Michael, 53rd Pope of Alexandria
On the 22nd day of the Coptic month of Baramouda we celebrate the life of St Michael, 53rd Pope of Alexandria.
This father was a righteous monk, and he was ordained hegumen for the monastery of the saint Abba John. Because of his good conduct, they chose him Patriarch, and he was enthroned on the 24th day of Hatour 566 A.M. (November 20th., 849 A.D.).
When the Holy Fast came, he went to the desert of Scetis to keep the fast there. He remembered his earlier life in the wilderness, so he asked God with tears and supplication saying: "O God, you know how much I love solitary life and I have no aptitude for the position that I am in." The Lord accepted his petition and he departed in peace after the feast of Passover. He stayed on the Chair one year, four months and twenty-eight days.
Lessons from this story
Imagine what is involved with being a priest. You must straddle between being in the world and being not of the world. You and I, assuming you are not a priest, strive to not be influenced by this world we live in as it relates to our spiritual desire to be one with God. Everyone should have solitary time with God alone. For many of us it is during the liturgy, for some lucky few, they can have a quiet solitary time for God daily. But the truth is, if we do not actually make time for one on one with God, the world will do everything it can to prevent you. Your mobile will ring. Someone will come to you with a problem. Some terrible thought will enter into your brain. Whatever distraction comes, you are robbed of that amazing and wonderful visit with God.
A priest plays such a pivot role in our life. They are to be deeply ground in spiritualness so they can help guide us through the darkness of this world. But many priests, that serve in a church, have so many other obligations that having nothing really to do with being a priest.
Clearly St Michael sought only alone time with God. Nothing in this world meant more to him than this solitary relationship. It was probably because of this constant pursuit of peaceful time with Christ that gave him the ability to rise above the daily turmoils of life, making idea for such a high spiritual role on earth.
Pope, abba, father to so many. Nothing would give the enemy of man greater pleasure than to befall such an esteemed ascetic. St Michael, through Jesus Christ, could have faced the world daily. But ugliness once seen or felt is hard to be cleansed from. So he ran from the world, like Joseph from Pontifar’s wife, seeking release from the prison of his position. A lesson we should all try to do, daily.
Prayer
Thank you father for this life given to us. Guide us always through the darkness and mire that is so pervasive in this world. Help us to see only you in people we meet and actions we take. May the prayers of St Michael, 53rd pope of Alexandria be with us and for us, amen.
On the 22nd day of the Coptic month of Baramouda we celebrate the life of St Michael, 53rd Pope of Alexandria.
This father was a righteous monk, and he was ordained hegumen for the monastery of the saint Abba John. Because of his good conduct, they chose him Patriarch, and he was enthroned on the 24th day of Hatour 566 A.M. (November 20th., 849 A.D.).
When the Holy Fast came, he went to the desert of Scetis to keep the fast there. He remembered his earlier life in the wilderness, so he asked God with tears and supplication saying: "O God, you know how much I love solitary life and I have no aptitude for the position that I am in." The Lord accepted his petition and he departed in peace after the feast of Passover. He stayed on the Chair one year, four months and twenty-eight days.
Lessons from this story
Imagine what is involved with being a priest. You must straddle between being in the world and being not of the world. You and I, assuming you are not a priest, strive to not be influenced by this world we live in as it relates to our spiritual desire to be one with God. Everyone should have solitary time with God alone. For many of us it is during the liturgy, for some lucky few, they can have a quiet solitary time for God daily. But the truth is, if we do not actually make time for one on one with God, the world will do everything it can to prevent you. Your mobile will ring. Someone will come to you with a problem. Some terrible thought will enter into your brain. Whatever distraction comes, you are robbed of that amazing and wonderful visit with God.
A priest plays such a pivot role in our life. They are to be deeply ground in spiritualness so they can help guide us through the darkness of this world. But many priests, that serve in a church, have so many other obligations that having nothing really to do with being a priest.
Clearly St Michael sought only alone time with God. Nothing in this world meant more to him than this solitary relationship. It was probably because of this constant pursuit of peaceful time with Christ that gave him the ability to rise above the daily turmoils of life, making idea for such a high spiritual role on earth.
Pope, abba, father to so many. Nothing would give the enemy of man greater pleasure than to befall such an esteemed ascetic. St Michael, through Jesus Christ, could have faced the world daily. But ugliness once seen or felt is hard to be cleansed from. So he ran from the world, like Joseph from Pontifar’s wife, seeking release from the prison of his position. A lesson we should all try to do, daily.
Prayer
Thank you father for this life given to us. Guide us always through the darkness and mire that is so pervasive in this world. Help us to see only you in people we meet and actions we take. May the prayers of St Michael, 53rd pope of Alexandria be with us and for us, amen.
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By St John Chrysostom Coptic OCSt Michael, 53rd Pope of Alexandria
On the 22nd day of the Coptic month of Baramouda we celebrate the life of St Michael, 53rd Pope of Alexandria.
This father was a righteous monk, and he was ordained hegumen for the monastery of the saint Abba John. Because of his good conduct, they chose him Patriarch, and he was enthroned on the 24th day of Hatour 566 A.M. (November 20th., 849 A.D.).
When the Holy Fast came, he went to the desert of Scetis to keep the fast there. He remembered his earlier life in the wilderness, so he asked God with tears and supplication saying: "O God, you know how much I love solitary life and I have no aptitude for the position that I am in." The Lord accepted his petition and he departed in peace after the feast of Passover. He stayed on the Chair one year, four months and twenty-eight days.
Lessons from this story
Imagine what is involved with being a priest. You must straddle between being in the world and being not of the world. You and I, assuming you are not a priest, strive to not be influenced by this world we live in as it relates to our spiritual desire to be one with God. Everyone should have solitary time with God alone. For many of us it is during the liturgy, for some lucky few, they can have a quiet solitary time for God daily. But the truth is, if we do not actually make time for one on one with God, the world will do everything it can to prevent you. Your mobile will ring. Someone will come to you with a problem. Some terrible thought will enter into your brain. Whatever distraction comes, you are robbed of that amazing and wonderful visit with God.
A priest plays such a pivot role in our life. They are to be deeply ground in spiritualness so they can help guide us through the darkness of this world. But many priests, that serve in a church, have so many other obligations that having nothing really to do with being a priest.
Clearly St Michael sought only alone time with God. Nothing in this world meant more to him than this solitary relationship. It was probably because of this constant pursuit of peaceful time with Christ that gave him the ability to rise above the daily turmoils of life, making idea for such a high spiritual role on earth.
Pope, abba, father to so many. Nothing would give the enemy of man greater pleasure than to befall such an esteemed ascetic. St Michael, through Jesus Christ, could have faced the world daily. But ugliness once seen or felt is hard to be cleansed from. So he ran from the world, like Joseph from Pontifar’s wife, seeking release from the prison of his position. A lesson we should all try to do, daily.
Prayer
Thank you father for this life given to us. Guide us always through the darkness and mire that is so pervasive in this world. Help us to see only you in people we meet and actions we take. May the prayers of St Michael, 53rd pope of Alexandria be with us and for us, amen.
On the 22nd day of the Coptic month of Baramouda we celebrate the life of St Michael, 53rd Pope of Alexandria.
This father was a righteous monk, and he was ordained hegumen for the monastery of the saint Abba John. Because of his good conduct, they chose him Patriarch, and he was enthroned on the 24th day of Hatour 566 A.M. (November 20th., 849 A.D.).
When the Holy Fast came, he went to the desert of Scetis to keep the fast there. He remembered his earlier life in the wilderness, so he asked God with tears and supplication saying: "O God, you know how much I love solitary life and I have no aptitude for the position that I am in." The Lord accepted his petition and he departed in peace after the feast of Passover. He stayed on the Chair one year, four months and twenty-eight days.
Lessons from this story
Imagine what is involved with being a priest. You must straddle between being in the world and being not of the world. You and I, assuming you are not a priest, strive to not be influenced by this world we live in as it relates to our spiritual desire to be one with God. Everyone should have solitary time with God alone. For many of us it is during the liturgy, for some lucky few, they can have a quiet solitary time for God daily. But the truth is, if we do not actually make time for one on one with God, the world will do everything it can to prevent you. Your mobile will ring. Someone will come to you with a problem. Some terrible thought will enter into your brain. Whatever distraction comes, you are robbed of that amazing and wonderful visit with God.
A priest plays such a pivot role in our life. They are to be deeply ground in spiritualness so they can help guide us through the darkness of this world. But many priests, that serve in a church, have so many other obligations that having nothing really to do with being a priest.
Clearly St Michael sought only alone time with God. Nothing in this world meant more to him than this solitary relationship. It was probably because of this constant pursuit of peaceful time with Christ that gave him the ability to rise above the daily turmoils of life, making idea for such a high spiritual role on earth.
Pope, abba, father to so many. Nothing would give the enemy of man greater pleasure than to befall such an esteemed ascetic. St Michael, through Jesus Christ, could have faced the world daily. But ugliness once seen or felt is hard to be cleansed from. So he ran from the world, like Joseph from Pontifar’s wife, seeking release from the prison of his position. A lesson we should all try to do, daily.
Prayer
Thank you father for this life given to us. Guide us always through the darkness and mire that is so pervasive in this world. Help us to see only you in people we meet and actions we take. May the prayers of St Michael, 53rd pope of Alexandria be with us and for us, amen.