The Agpeya (The Book of Hours)

The lecture explains that the Agpeya is not merely a book of prayers, but a complete spiritual school that teaches a person how to pray, how to love the Word of God, and how to live the Orthodox faith in daily life.

First: The Agpeya and Learning Prayer

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the Church teaches her children how to pray through the Agpeya, just as the disciples asked Christ to teach them how to pray. The Agpeya organizes the day into seven prayers and teaches various types of prayer: supplication, praise, repentance, thanksgiving, and glorification.

Second: The Agpeya and the Holy Bible

The Agpeya transforms the Holy Bible into living prayer. It includes many readings from the Psalms, the Gospel, and the Epistles. Whoever prays the Agpeya daily lives with the Word of God and stores Scripture in his heart as spiritual nourishment.

Third: Christ at the Center of the Agpeya

The Agpeya proclaims Christ in His eternity, incarnation, birth, passion, resurrection, ascension, and second coming. It is filled with clear Messianic prophecies and expresses the Orthodox faith in Christ the incarnate Word.

Fourth: The Agpeya and Orthodox Doctrine

The Agpeya contains deep yet simple theological teaching about the Holy Trinity, the one nature of Christ, salvation, the work of the Holy Spirit, honoring the Virgin Mary, and the Creed, which is repeated in every prayer.

Fifth: The Agpeya and Spiritual Life

The Agpeya teaches love for God, hope, trust in Him, joy in His presence, and the pursuit of purity and guidance. It trains the believer in humility, reverence, surrendering life to God, and seeking God Himself rather than only His gifts.

Conclusion

The Agpeya is a complete school of prayer, Scripture, doctrine, and spiritual life. Whoever commits to it learns how to pray deeply, live the faith joyfully, and maintain a true relationship with God.

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