ST. MARCIANUS & MERCURIUS• Disciples of St. Paul the Martyr, Pope of

Constantinople. • Emperor Constantine II believed in Arius

(wrong teaching about Jesus Christ).• St. Paul opposed Arius - exiled to Armenia &

martyred. • Sts. Marcianus and Mercurius also opposed

Arius.• Constantine II ordered the 2 saints to be

martyred. • St. John Chrysostom brought their bodies and

built a church for them.

ANBA ABRAAMBISHOP OF FAYOUM

Anba Abraam – Bishop of Fayoum

• Brought up as a good Christian

• Was ordained a deacon• Became a monk at 19 yrs

old at El-Muharrak monastery

• Lived a humble & pure life, with deep prayers

• Ordained a priest & Abbott (head monk) of monastery

• Improved the monastery spiritually & physically

Anba Abraam – Bishop of Fayoum• Anba Abraam gave abundantly

to: poor, orphans, widows, all in need

• Some monks were upset; they thought it was wasteful

• Anba Abraam was removed• Left El-Muharrak monastery,

went to El-Baramous monastery

• Ordained Bishop of El-Fayyoum and El-Giza

• Performed many miracles while alive & after departure

Anba Abraam – Bishop of FayoumMIRACLES …Hung Coat on Sun’s ray• Giving away more money to poor• Complaints made to the Pope • Poor eyesight, mistook sun’s ray as

rope, threw his robe to hang on rayAlmsgiving by Police Commander• Used to give money to the poor to

Anba Abraam• After saint’s departure, police came

to give money• Found saint standing there to

receive donation!

CHARITY• Called “father of the poor

& the destitute”• Gave money, clothing and

food to all in need• He turned residence into a

home for the poor• Made sure his food was

never better than food offered to the poor

Anba Abraam – Bishop of Fayoum

2 FAMOUS VIRTUES: CHARITY & PRAYER

PRAYER• Had great knowledge of

the Bible and other holy books

• Through prayers many miracles were performed

• People from all over the world, came to receive blessing & were healed

Anba Abraam – Bishop of Fayoum

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your

heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God

loves a cheerful giver”

2 Corinthians 9:7

Anba Abraam – Bishop of Fayoum

WHY SHOULD I GIVE?• What I have is from God, NOT my own• To share God’s blessings with others• To help those in need• To obey God’s commandment: to love one

another. We are all created in the image of God & are all “brothers” & “sisters”

• The more I give, the more I receive because the more God will bless me

Anba Abraam – Bishop of Fayoum

WHAT DO I GIVE?• Money• Time• Love• Effort • Anything

Anba Abraam – Bishop of Fayoum

HOW DO I GIVE?• I give with all I have• I give with all my heart• I give with all my love

Without WORRIES … like the widow with the 2 mites

WHY?• Because I trust in God … that

He will take care of me and provide for me

• That’s what makes Anba Abraam a great SAINT!

Anba Abraam – Bishop of Fayoum

This week …Make sure to pass on God’s blessings by giving and sharing with others … give withall your hearts!

MemorizingWe proclaim the Holy Trinity in One Godhead, we worship Him, we glorify Him, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord bless us, Amen.

Anba Abraam – Bishop of Fayoum

We PRAY because ...Prayer gives us Victory!

FIGHT and DO NOT GIVE IN to the devil’s tricks …

• Set a TIME - morning, before meals, before bed• Pray while you have ENERGY - don’t leave prayer to the very end• CONCENTRATE - quiet place & close eyes

• ROUTINE may be “hard” at first, but keep trying, it gets easier.

• Prayer is your WEAPON, keep using it, you’ll get better at it!