Saint Bishoy
Lecture Summary
The lecture speaks about the life of the great saint Anba Bishoy, one of the pillars of Coptic Orthodox monasticism, who was distinguished by a life of prayer, vigil, humility, and deep love for the Lord Christ. Pope Shenouda III explained how God chose Anba Bishoy from his childhood despite his physical weakness, in order to show in him the power of divine grace.
The lecture also discussed his relationship with his teacher Saint Anba Pmoa and with his brother in monasticism Anba John the Short, and how the three became among the greatest leaders of monastic life in the Church. Anba Bishoy appeared as a saint who lived in solitude and severe fasting, and who spent all nights in prayer and vigil until he became an example for monks in spiritual struggle.
The lecture spoke about the special love of the Lord Christ for Anba Bishoy, as he received the grace of seeing Christ, carrying Him on his shoulders, and washing His feet. Therefore he was called “The Beloved of Our Good Savior.” He was also famous for great spiritual power against demons and for his ability in spiritual leadership and teaching.
Then the talk moved to Saint Anba Shenouda the Archimandrite, explaining his spiritual brilliance from childhood and his great role in teaching and defending the Orthodox faith and the Coptic language, until he became one of the greatest fathers of the Coptic Church and a founder of Coptic literature.
The lecture confirmed that the Coptic Church is rich with its saints and heroes of faith who preserved the doctrine through faith, struggle, and blood, and it called believers to hold fast to the upright faith and to imitate the lives of the saints in prayer, purity, and spiritual struggle.
Spiritual Message
The main message of the lecture is that God works powerfully in the humble and weak person, and that a life of prayer, love, obedience, and spiritual struggle leads the person to a deep fellowship with God and true holiness.
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