His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks in this sermon about the sin of pride, calling it the mother of all sins and the very first that appeared in creation. Satan fell by pride when he said, “I will ascend to heaven; I will be like the Most High.” Through the same deception, he made Adam and Eve fall by saying, “You will be like God.” Pride, therefore, is the beginning of downfall and the end of humility.

🔸 First: The Origin and Danger of Pride

Pride is the lifting up of heart and mind away from God, the illusion that man is great by himself. It corrupts the heart and destroys the soul, for Scripture says: “Before destruction, the heart of man is haughty.” God especially resists the proud, because pride challenges His sovereignty.

🔸 Second: Forms of Pride

Pride appears in worldly forms—riches, position, and appearance—and in spiritual forms when people boast of their fasting, prayer, or service. Even monastic pride can appear when a monk exalts himself over others through his asceticism.

🔸 Third: Causes of Pride

Pride comes from grace unguarded by humility, talents unprotected by repentance, and knowledge that breeds vanity. When a person attributes his gifts to himself, he loses them. As one saint said: “If God gives you a gift, ask Him for humility to preserve it.”

🔸 Fourth: Biblical Examples

Satan fell by pride; Pharaoh hardened his heart; Cain envied Abel; Job was reproved for being righteous in his own eyes. St. Paul was protected from pride by a “thorn in the flesh.” The Virgin Mary bore the greatest honor because she had the deepest humility.

🔸 Fifth: Marks of the Proud

• Shows off his virtues like the Pharisee.

• Refuses advice and correction.

• Loves leadership, argument, and his own opinion.

• Despises and criticizes others, rejoicing in their failure.

• Does not submit to the Church or spiritual fathers.

🔸 Sixth: Traits of the Humble

• Attributes every success to God.

• Hides his virtues and confesses his weaknesses.

• Honors everyone, great or small.

• Accepts humiliation with thankfulness.

• Rejoices in others’ growth, as St. Macarius said: “Rejoice in your brothers’ perfection.”

🔸 Seventh: The Cure for Pride

The cure is true humility—an inner bowing of the heart, not just the body. The humble person knows that every good in him is from God. St. Anthony saw the snares of the devil spread across the earth and heard God say: “The humble escape them.”

🔸 Eighth: Spiritual Exhortation

The Pope calls for daily self-examination and humble gratitude, reminding us that honor is harder to bear than humiliation. God lifts the humble, as He did the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist. All glory must belong to God alone: “Not unto us, O Lord, but to Your name give glory.”

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