Maxim Gorky's book "How I Learnt to Write" was, literarily, a precious gift to me. It was not my intention to seek out the knowledge that cannot be taught, that is writing, but rather for the experience of the elders. The foundation of the book is its writer’s openness to writers in the world, especially ...
Read moreAuthor: Father Elia Mitri
The House of Knowledge
I am trying to help myself deal rationally with diseases that afflict us here and there. I am speaking of this strange dependency fueled by gossip, complaints, and laziness. Individuals who search for someone in the Church to convince them that she is their life, are overlooking that the final kingdom has been opened, but ...
Read moreNothing
Metropolitan George Khodr said in a homily delivered at Deir Al-Balmand: "When you reach the point of saying (about yourself) that you are nothing, you become a Christian. Before this, you are not a Christian, (you are) nothing" (June 29, 2016). Today I convey to you this word, which some of you may have personally ...
Read moreWithout Farewell
The gathering, from which you can leave without a word of farewell, is the one where you realize you are about to walk in the footsteps of people who slander others in their absence. Stand up. Head towards the door, and come out from among them, without looking back. This is for your own good ...
Read moreTo Brother Elie Kebbe
Within the Orthodox Youth Movement (MJO), there is a tradition that the first term of the Secretary-General, which extends for two years, allows him to perceive things, from his new position, with new accuracy. His re-election for a second term, if nominated, is for increasingly anticipated fruitful outcomes. This tradition does not overshadow the acknowledgment ...
Read moreA Bridge of Encounter
I try to write to all of you, regardless of your origins and backgrounds. You may notice that I often render people's concerns, my family's and friends', questions, and thoughts... into lines. Of the things that catch my attention, I summon to my papers what caused me delight or grief, and I build on them. ...
Read morePartnership in A Commandment
When I lay my hands on a new issue of "An-Nour Magazine", precious things within me begin to stir. Firstly, I hear once again Metropolitan George Khodr repeating to me the commandment he gave me forty years ago, which is to read "the magazine" in its entirety since its inception in 1945, "along with its ...
Read morePersisting Objections
I am following the feedback that is reaching us regarding the rejection of the document issued by the Roman Catholic Church, in which it is allowing the blessing of same-sex couples, as well as responses to this rejection. The explanatory document, in which Rome reaffirmed its stance on this blessing, was pointed out to me ...
Read moreTo Noor Ashour
Today I read “The Story of your Unconsummated Wedding". I followed you as you retreated before the monster that shattered your present and your yearning for a tomorrow you had been anticipating, which destroyed your home in Gaza and its contents, including the clothes you had prepared to wear, chosen by yourself or sewn by ...
Read moreThe Brokenness of Distance
Whenever my eldest granddaughter, or her brother, speak to me, from the “cold faraway country”, she poses her wet question: “I miss you so much. When will you come to visit us?". Distance is devastating. Since they left, I suddenly developed a sensitivity to certain words. It has become difficult for me to hear someone ...
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