“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16)
Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate – The Church of Alexandria

St. Mary & St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church
Reaching out to Somerset and Hunterdon Counties in NJ

Resources on Annual Weekly Gospel Contemplations

4th Sunday of Epep

Jesus Raises LazarusI Am the Resurrection and the Life “Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” On this Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Epep, the Church reads from John 11:1-45, the account of Christ raising Lazarus from the dead, a passage rich in…

3rd Sunday of Epep

The Bread of Life for the FlockThe Lord Feeds the Five Thousands “And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them.” Today is the Third Sunday of the Blessed month of Epep, and on this blessed day the Church reads ​​Luke 9:10-17. The passage…

2nd Sunday of Epep

Childlike HeartsThe Greatest in the Kingdom of Heavens“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” On this blessed 2nd Sunday of Epep, the Church presents us with the Gospel from Matthew 18:1-9. In this passage, Jesus responds to a question posed by His disciples: “Who is greatest in the kingdom…

1st Sunday of Epep

Apostles Sent to Serve“Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.” On the First Sunday of the blessed month of Epep, the Church reads Luke 10:1-20. In this reading, Christ sends out seventy apostles, two by two, into the world to preach the good news, not only to the Jews but now to the…

5th Sunday of Paone

“Let It Be to Me”The Annunciation On this Sunday, the fifth Sunday of Paone, the Church reads from Luke 1:26-38. In these verses, which often called “The Annunciation”, St. Luke is describing the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary, announcing her miraculous conception of Jesus. Gabriel appeared and greeted St. Mary saying: “Greetings, O favored one,…

4th Sunday of Paone

Love Your Enemies On this Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Paone, the Church reads from Luke 6:27-38. This reading coincides with the sixth *antithesis from the Sermon on the Mount. Additionally, the vesper’s reading for this Sunday also begins with the sixth antithesis, but it is taken from the Matthew 5:34-48. Jesus is not contradicting…

3rd Sunday of Paone

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit On the 3rd Sunday of the Blessed month of Paone, the Church reads Matthew 12:22-37. In these verses we read about a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute. Brought to Jesus so he can be healed. Christ then healed the demon-oppressed man, and the people were amazed. But when…

2nd Sunday of Paone

Healing the Paralytic Today is the Second Sunday of the Blessed month of Paone, and on this day the Church reads Luke 5:17-26. In these verses we read about a profound encounter between a group of friends who carry a paralyzed man on a mat, seeking Jesus’ healing touch. Since the house Jesus was in…

1st Sunday of Paone

On this Sunday (06/11/23), the First Sunday of the Paone, the Church reads Luke 11:1-13. In this reading, Christ provides instructions on how to perform true spiritual prayer through the Our Father prayer. As we begin the Apostle’s Fast, we must remember that in order to serve others, we must first have a deep relationship…

2nd Sunday of Meshir

Feeding the Multitudes On this Sunday (02/16/2025), the 2nd Sunday of the blessed month of Meshir, the Church reads John 6:5-14. In this passage, Christ feeds the 5000 (not including women and children) from 5 loaves and 2 fish. While this story is read many times throughout the year, this specific excerpt focuses on the…