St Shenouda Podcast

elcome to the St. Shenouda Podcast, where we explore the timeless wisdom of the Desert Fathers and the foundational virtues of the spiritual life. In this series, we delve into what the ancient elders called the “crown of wisdom” and the “guardian of the soul”: the virtue of discernment.

Why Discernment? Among all the virtues—prayer, fasting, silence, and humility—the Desert Fathers placed discernment above all. As St. John Cassian taught, it is the “mother, guardian, and guide of all virtues”. Without it, even good practices can become harmful: fasting can turn into pride, silence into isolation, and z...

Welcome to the St. Shenouda Podcast, where we delve into the profound spiritual heritage of the monastic tradition and the wisdom of the Desert Fathers.

In this episode, we explore a concept often misunderstood in the modern world: The Gift of Tears. While society often views weeping as a sign of weakness to be hidden or suppressed, the Orthodox tradition reveals that tears are a sacred gift, a sign of grace, and a healing doorway that draws a person closer to God.

We dive deep into the theology of compunction—the "pierced heart"—explaining how a he...

Welcome to the St. Shenouda Podcast, a journey into the heart of Orthodox monastic wisdom and the transformative power of sacred stillness.,, We live in a world that is often afraid of silence, a world drowning in constant noise, digital distractions, and endless stimulation., This podcast explores the ancient Christian tradition of hesychia—not merely the absence of external sound, but a deep, inner stillness of the heart where the soul finally encounters the living God.,,

Drawing from the timeless teachings of the Desert Fathers, we delve into the spiritual reality that silence is the doorway to tr...

St. Shenouda Podcast: The Desert Way – The Jesus Prayer in the Egyptian Desert

Join us for the latest episode in our series, The Desert Way, as we journey back to the 5th-century Egyptian desert to explore the roots of one of Christianity's most profound spiritual practices: The Jesus Prayer.

In this episode, we dive into the cells of Scetis, Nitria, and Kellia, where the Desert Fathers and Mothers sought to fulfill the biblical command to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We discover that the Jesus Prayer—"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a si...

Logismoi: Winning the Invisible War for Your Heart

Episode Description:

In this episode of the St. Shenouda Podcast, we dive deep into the "Invisible War"—the ancient spiritual tradition of the Desert Fathers regarding logismoi. Often translated simply as "thoughts," logismoi are more accurately described as suggestions, provocations, or inner reasonings that arise in the heart and the nous (the eye of the heart), seeking the consent of our will.

We often feel overwhelmed by intrusive or even blasphemous thoughts, fearing they define our character. However, the Holy Fathers offer us "spiritual sanity" by...

Welcome to the St Shenouda Podcast as we continue our series, "The Inner Way". In this episode, we dive deep into the essential, yet often overlooked, spiritual discipline of Nepsis—the art of watchfulness.

What is Nepsis?

Derived from the Greek word nepho (to guard or keep under surveillance), Nepsis is the Orthodox concept of wakefulness or spiritual sobriety. It is an unceasing vigilance of the mind and heart, described by St Hesychios the Priest as "a continual fixing and halting of thought at the entrance to the heart".

The sources explain that ne...

The Inner Altar: Exploring Patristic Spirituality

Description: Welcome to st shenouda podcast on our 4th season discussing The Inner Altar, dedicated to exploring the depths of Orthodox spirituality and the foundational teachings of the Church Fathers. This series delves into Patristics, the study of early Christian theologians from the first to the eighth centuries who defended the faith and established the intellectual landscape of Christianity. We journey beyond mere academic study to discover the "heart," which the sources describe as the spiritual centre of the human person and the inner altar where one truly meets God.

Welcome back to the St. Shenouda Podcast as we continue our Early Christian Text Series. In this episode, we dive into one of the most intriguing documents of the sub-apostolic age: the Second Epistle of Clement, or 2 Clement.

While traditionally attributed to Pope Clement I of Rome and believed to be a letter to the Corinthians from the late 1st century, modern scholarship and historical records tell a more complex story. Even the 4th-century historian Eusebius expressed doubt regarding its authenticity, noting that it was not widely used by ancient writers. Today, scholars generally agree that 2 Clement...

St. Clement of Rome's Clarion Call: Humility, Order, and the End of Sedition in the Early Church

Join us for a deep dive into the First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, a crucial document from the collection of the Apostolic Fathers. Written by St. Clement of Rome, acting on behalf of the church sojourning at Rome, this letter was penned to address a "shameful and detestable sedition" which had erupted in the esteemed Corinthian congregation.

The letter serves as a potent response to an incident where "a few rash and self-confident persons" unjustly deposed...

The St Shenouda Podcast explores the ultimate act of faith recorded in the earliest chronicle of Christian martyrdom outside of the New Testament: The Martyrdom of Polycarp.

Join us as we dive into the letter written by the Church in Smyrna, detailing the final hours of the blessed Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp was an apostolic and prophetic teacher who, at 86 years of age, had been discipled by the Apostle John. The account is recognized as taking on the literary form of both a letter and the earliest of the martyr acts as a genre in...

The Protoevangelium of James: Unveiling the Earliest Story of Mary Ever-Virgin

Join the St Shenouda Podcast as we delve into one of the most significant apocryphal texts of the early Church: the Gospel of James, commonly known as the Protoevangelium of James. Dating back to the second century (estimated 140–170 A.D.), this pseudepigraphic work claims to be written by James, the brother of Jesus, and offers an extensive narrative preceding the canonical Gospels.

This infancy gospel focuses primarily on the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus. It details the miraculous birth of Mary to he...

Join St Shenouda Podcast as we delve into the Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians. Written by Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna and a crucial figure among the Apostolic Fathers, this letter offers profound early Christian instruction to the Church of God dwelling at Philippi.

The epistle is widely believed to be a composite of material written at two different times during the first half of the second century. Part of the letter (Chapter 13) served as a Cover Letter, transmitting the collected epistles of Ignatius of Antioch to the Philippians, as they had requested. The main body...

St. Ignatius of Antioch: The Wheat of God

Tune into the St Shenouda Podcast Series on Early Christian Texts for an exploration of the crucial writings of St. Ignatius of Antioch, the highly influential Syrian Bishop. Born around AD 30 or 35, Ignatius was a direct disciple of the Apostles Peter and John. He served as the third bishop of Antioch, a city which was a major centre for early Christianity.

His seven extant authentic letters were written around AD 107 while he was escorted as a condemned prisoner from Antioch to Rome for execution in the arena...

The Shepherd of Hermas – Visions, Virtue, and Forgiveness

Discover The Shepherd of Hermas (Greek: Poimēn tou Herma), a Christian literary work of immense popularity in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th centuries, which almost earned a permanent place in the New Testament canon. Compiled in the mid-fourth century, the Codex Sinaiticus includes it alongside the familiar 27 books.

This long and complex text, consisting of 114 chapters (about as many lines as Paul’s letters and Hebrews combined), is a key source for understanding early Christian ethical life. It is organized into three parts: five Visions, twelve Manda...

The Epistle of Barnabas: Allegory, Conflict, and the Spiritual Roots of Alexandria

Join us for a deep dive into one of the most compelling and controversial works of the early Church: The Epistle of Barnabas. Written between AD 70 and AD 135, this powerful Greek text offers a unique window into the theological world of sub-apostolic Christianity. While traditionally ascribed to St. Paul's companion Barnabas, it is now generally attributed to an unknown early Christian teacher, likely writing from Alexandria, Egypt, due to its fervent use of allegorical interpretation.

A note for listeners: This historical document, the...

Join us on the St Shenouda Podcast as we delve into the Didascalia Apostolorum (The Teaching of the Apostles), a crucial early Christian legal treatise and Church Order. Although this text is pseudepigraphical—meaning it was written later, likely in the 3rd century in Syria, possibly near Antioch—it provides a vital "window" into how our forebears organized their communities and defined leadership during a period of theological development. The study of this text is undertaken from an Orthodox perspective, valuing it as a historical document, not a doctrinal authority.

The Didascalia offers a comprehensive look at eccl...

Join us on the St Shenouda Podcast as we uncover the Didache, an indispensable ancient Christian treatise known fully as "The Lord's Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations". Dating potentially as early as the first century CE, this brief, anonymous text offers a powerful glimpse into the practical life and rituals of the earliest Christian communities. Scholars consider the Didache the foundational example of the genre of Church Orders, functioning as a pastoral manual concerned primarily with orthopraxy—how Christians ought to behave.

This remarkable document, which might predate several New Testament books, is divided in...

St Shenouda Podcast: The Hidden Ascetic—St. Euphrosyne of Alexandria

Welcome to the St Shenouda Podcast! In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary life of St. Euphrosyne of Alexandria, a 5th-century saint whose story belongs to a group of legends about Christian virgins who used male attire to pursue a life of celibacy and asceticism. Born around 410 to Paphnutius, a rich and pious man of Alexandria, Euphrosyne was her parents' only daughter, born in response to fervent prayers.

When she turned eighteen, facing an impending marriage to a wealthy youth, Euphrosyne chose instead to co...

From Roman Nobility to the Egyptian Desert: The Lives of Saints Maximus and Domatius

Join us on the St Shenouda Podcast as we explore the extraordinary journey of Saints Maximus and Domatius, two Roman noblemen born around the 4th century. These angelic sons of Walendianus (or Valentinus), a devout Roman Emperor, were raised in purity and holiness. Realizing that this world and its glory were only transitional and temporal, they decided to embark on a monastic life.

Their spiritual quest began with a pilgrimage to the City of Nicea, where the first Universal Council was...

Join the St Shenouda Podcast as we delve into the extraordinary life and heroic martyrdom of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp is one of the most vital figures of the early Church, serving as a "living link between the apostles and subsequent generations" of Christians. He is regarded as one of the chief Apostolic Fathers, having been a direct disciple of St. John the Evangelist and conversing with others who had personally seen Jesus Christ.

As the faithful Bishop of Smyrna (AD 69–155), Polycarp tirelessly defended orthodox teaching against emerging heresies. He famously confronted the Gnostic heretic Ma...

Join the St Shenouda Podcast as we explore the extraordinary life and unwavering commitment of St. Epimachus (also known as Abimachus or Ephimachus), the Egyptian martyr.

Born a weaver in Pelusium (Farma) in northeastern Egypt, Epimachus was known for his calm, gentle nature and his longing for a contemplative life. Yet, instead of receiving the crown of monasticism, he was granted the crown of martyrdom.

Living in the 3rd century AD, a time of intense Christian persecution across the Roman Empire, Epimachus heard that Governor Apellien (also named Poulamis or Polemius) had arrived in Alexandria...

Welcome to the St. Shenouda Podcast!

Join us for a compelling episode as we delve into the inspiring and courageous lives of St. Rebekah and her five children: Agathon, Peter, John, Ammon, and Ammona. Hailing from Kemola, a village near Kus in Upper Egypt, they lived during the severe persecutions of Christians under Emperor Diocletian.

Discover how, while they were devoutly praying, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, announcing their glorious crown of martyrdom in the city of Shoubra, near Alexandria. Filled with immense joy at this divine vision, they promptly gave all...

St. Shenouda Podcast: - The Unwavering Faith of St. James the Mangled

Join us for a powerful episode as we delve into the inspiring life and steadfast martyrdom of St. James the Persian, also known as St. James 'the Mangled' (Sawn). Commemorated on December 7th (Hator 27 in the Coptic calendar), St. James's story is a testament to unshakeable faith amidst unimaginable tribulation.

Once a prominent soldier in the Persian King Sakrod's army, St. James rose to the highest ranks due to his courage and uprightness, becoming a close confidant to the king. However, this close...

Welcome to the St. Shenouda Podcast! In this episode, we uncover the inspiring life of St. Barsoum El-Erian, a remarkable Coptic saint of the 13th century, renowned for his profound faith, courage, and asceticism. Born in Cairo in 1257 A.D. to devout parents, his father, El-Wageeh Moufdel, served as the faithful scribe and secret counsellor to Queen Shagaret El-dor. Despite inheriting great wealth, Barsoum's maternal uncle squandered it, yet Barsoum, remembering King Solomon's words, "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity," refused to quarrel, choosing instead a life devoted to God.

His spiritual journey led him to live...

Welcome to St Shenouda Podcast, where today we explore the extraordinary life of St. Verena, the pure bride of Christ and a renowned teacher of cleanliness and hygiene. Born in the village of Garagous in the Theban region to Christian parents, she was baptized and educated by Bishop Chaeremon, growing steadily in grace and faith. As a young woman, she courageously visited and ministered to imprisoned Christians, even longing for martyrdom herself.

Her path took an incredible turn when she joined the renowned Theban Legion, a division of 6,600 soldiers led by St. Maurice. They travelled from Egypt...

Welcome to the St. Shenouda Podcast! This episode unveils the profound story of St. Maurice and the Theban Legion, Christian martyrs whose courage echoes through centuries.

Journey back to 286 AD, when Emperor Maximian deployed a 6600-strong Roman legion from Upper Egypt, comprised entirely of Christians, to Gaul. Stationed near Aguanum (modern Saint Maurice, Switzerland), their faith was tested. Maximian demanded they sacrifice to pagan gods and persecute local Christians.

Under Captain Maurice, the legion steadfastly refused, proclaiming their primary allegiance to God. Maurice declared, "We took an oath to God before we took an oath...

Welcome to St. Shenouda Podcast! Join us for a compelling episode on the life of Saint Abaskhiron the Soldier, a revered Coptic martyr and saint. Also known as Eskhayron or Abaskhaeroun, his name "Abaskhyron" combines "Abba" (father, an honorific title despite his young age at martyrdom) and "skhyron" (the strong). Born in Qallin, Lower Egypt, in the 3rd century, Abaskhiron was a soldier under Arianus, the governor of Ansena.

His story of unwavering faith began when Emperor Diocletian issued an edict to worship idols. Abaskhiron bravely refused, exposing the emperor's infidelity and cursing his idols. He dramatically...

• Historical Context: The lecture begins by painting a picture of the Coptic Church in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, describing it as a "very dark period" marked by a lack of formal education, high illiteracy, and external pressures from Western missionaries. Pope Shenouda III regarded Habib Girgis as a "light in the midst of this darkness" and attributed the revival of education within the church to him.

• Pioneer of Religious Education: Habib Girgis is presented as the "pioneer of religious education" in the modern Coptic Church. He was born in 1876 in Cairo and, despite losing his...

Welcome to the St. Shenouda Podcast! In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary life of Saint Takla Haymanot the Ethiopian, a beacon of faith revered across the Coptic, Ethiopian, and Eritrean Orthodox Churches. Born as "Feseha Zion" (Joy of Zion or the churches) on 24th December 1215 in Ethiopia, his birth was a divine miracle to his devout parents, Priest Tsega Ze'ab ("the gift of father") and Egzi'e Hareya ("the chosen of Lord," also known as Sarah), after years of prayer for a child that would love and serve God. Their patron saint was Archangel Michael, whose feast they...

Journey back to 3rd century Egypt with the St. Shenouda Podcast as we explore the inspiring story of Saint Demiana and her forty virgin companions. Born to a governor, Demiana, known for her beauty and good character, chose a life devoted entirely to Christ over marriage, establishing a convent with forty other virgins.

Her unyielding faith was put to the ultimate test during the Diocletian Persecution. When her father, Marcos, initially succumbed to pressure and worshipped idols, Demiana courageously confronted him, inspiring his return to Christianity and subsequent martyrdom.

Enraged, Emperor Diocletian ordered her capture...

Join St Shenouda Podcast for a profound journey into the life of Saint Mary of Egypt, a revered figure known for her extraordinary transformation from sin to sainthood.

Born in Egypt, Mary fled to Alexandria at the age of twelve and lived an extremely dissolute life for seventeen years, driven by an insatiable and irrepressible passion rather than for money. Her life took a pivotal turn when she travelled to Jerusalem, seeking more opportunities for pleasure during the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, an invisible...

Join us on the St. Shenouda Podcast as we delve into the extraordinary life of Saint Marina the Monk, a Christian saint whose story transcends time and gender. Born in present-day Lebanon in the 5th century, Marina made a radical decision to follow her devout father into monastic life, disguising herself as a man and taking on the name Marinos.

Discover how Marinos, known for his humility, dedication, and asceticism, lived for years in the Monastery of Qannoubine, expertly concealing her true identity. Her quiet life was dramatically interrupted when she was falsely accused of fathering a...

Welcome back to St Shenouda Podcast!

In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary life of Prince Theodore El Shatebi, also known as St. Theodore of Shotep, a revered figure in Christian history. His story is a powerful testament to faith and courage during the first few centuries of Christianity, a time when martyrdom was a grim reality for those who confessed their belief in Jesus Christ. Egypt, in particular, produced more martyrs than any other country.

Born in 281 A.D. in Achaea, a port city on the Black Sea, Prince Theodore later resided in...

St. Epime: The Unwavering Faith of a Chief, Blessed by Christ and Vindicated by Miracles

Host: Welcome, faithful listeners, to the St. Shenouda Podcast, where we delve into the inspiring lives of the saints of our beloved Coptic Orthodox Church. Today, we invite you to journey with us into the profound and miraculous life of a great martyr, commemorated on the 8th of Abib: St. Epime, also known as Pimanon or Bima, the esteemed chief of the village of Pancoleus in the district of El-Bahnasa.

Podcast Description:

Join us for a powerful episode...

Today, we delve into the awe-inspiring life and profound monastic teachings of St. Pisentius, Bishop of Qift (Coptos), a celebrated Coptic bishop and spiritual writer who flourished in Egypt during the 7th century, just before the Arab invasion. Born around 568 AD in the village of Shamir, Armant, he was nurtured by pious Christian parents with a deeply evangelical mindset. He was a contemporary of Pope Damian, the 35th Patriarch, who consecrated him bishop. St. Pisentius served as bishop of this important Upper Egyptian town during a significant historical period, including the Persian invasion in 619 AD, and potentially witnessed the...

The Desert Star: Unveiling the Life of St. Pishoy

Join us for an insightful journey into the extraordinary life of St. Pishoy (also known as Bishoy), the great Egyptian Desert Father, revered in the Coptic Orthodox Church as "The Star of the Desert" and "The Beloved of our Good Saviour".... Born around 320 A.D. in the village of Shansa, Egypt, St. Pishoy was the youngest of six brothers, and though physically frail, he was divinely chosen for God's service through a vision seen by his mother....

At the age of twenty, he entered the wilderness...

Saint Cyril of Alexandria – The Unyielding Champion of Faith

Join us as we journey back to 5th-century Alexandria, a vibrant melting pot of cultures and ideas, to explore the life of one of Christianity's most formidable figures: Saint Cyril of Alexandria. Known as "The Pillar of the Faith" and "Seal of all the Fathers," Cyril’s tenure as Patriarch from 412 to 444 was anything but calm, marked by intense theological battles and societal upheavals1....

A scholarly archbishop and prolific writer, Cyril was born around 376 in Didouseya, Egypt, and received an exceptional education under the guidance of his...

Today, we delve into the incredible story of St. Shenouda the Archimandrite, a giant of early Coptic Christianity, born around 348 AD in Shenalolet.

Discover how this shepherd boy, who showed early signs of spiritual giftedness with fingers glowing like luminous candles in prayer, rose to become the abbot of the White Monastery. Under his leadership, which began around AD 385, the monastery flourished, growing from a handful of monks to an astounding 2,200 monks and 1,800 nuns by AD 466. He instituted a unique and comprehensive monastic system, which included a covenant (diatheke) for new novices and required them to live...

Today we discuss the extraordinary life of St. Moses the Strong, also known as St. Moses the Black. Once a feared Ethiopian robber leader and murderer in 4th-century Egypt, Moses embarked on a radical journey of repentance and asceticism in the desert.

Discover how this physically imposing man conquered his inner demons and passions through intense prayer, fasting, and vigils, eventually gaining power over evil spirits. From his deep humility as a monk to his ordination as a priest with 75 disciples, Moses's story culminates in his martyrdom at age 75, where he chose to remain and fulfill his...

This episode explores the extraordinary life of Saint George (Girgis) El-Mozahim, a "new martyr" of the Coptic Church, commemorated on Paona 19. Born in the 10th century to a Muslim father and Christian mother, he was deeply drawn to Christianity after tasting blessed Eulogia bread, which "tasted in his mouth like that of honey".

His conversion and open confession of faith initiated intense persecutions, including severe beatings, imprisonment, head wounds, and various torments, all while he steadfastly declared his belief in Jesus Christ. His wife, Saywala (Seyola), played a crucial role, constantly strengthening and comforting him, and enduring...