His Holiness Pope Shenouda mentions the grace of the Fathers the Apostles who delivered the true faith to the Church and without them we would not be Christians.
He affirms that these apostles were chosen by the Lord and they responded quickly without hesitation, leaving their work and families to follow Christ.
He speaks that Christ’s disciples spent more than three years in discipleship and accompanying Christ, yet they were not sent to serve until the coming of the Holy Spirit.
He explains that the apostles did not have social standing or official position at first, but were ordinary people characterized by obedience and love for Christ.
He points to differences in their temperaments and backgrounds (such as Peter, John, Thomas…) but they were united in obedience and witness.
The lecture also treats the help of the Holy Spirit for them: various gifts (preaching, healing, raising the dead, speaking in tongues) and their ability to endure trials and persecutions.
It is mentioned that most of the apostles were martyred or suffered greatly, whereas John is considered a confessor who endured exile and many afflictions.
The lecture concludes with a call to emulate the apostles’ mission and to hand on the faith as widely as possible, with thanks to God and eternal glory.

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