St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

In this Bible study, Eric Tadros explores the lost virtue of silence and its significance for spiritual health and prayer life. Eric discusses how silence is often misinterpreted today as weakness or apathy, yet Scripture and the Church Fathers emphasize silence as essential for avoiding sin and deepening our relationship with Christ. He reflects on various biblical stories, including the healing of the woman with the flow of blood, Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus, and the story of Mary and Martha, illustrating how silent faith and stillness enable a closer experience of God.Eric also addresses the challenges of modern distractions, such as constant noise from technology and social media, and encourages cultivating silence both externally and internally to attain peace and spiritual growth. The teaching highlights silence as a foundation for prayer where one moves beyond words to truly encounter God's presence.#ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #SpiritualGrowth #PrayerLife #SilenceInFaith #EncounterGod #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

Fr. George Sajeev Mathews explains why Christians pray by examining prayer in light of salvation, the Second Coming, eternal life, and judgment. Fr. George leads a participatory Bible study that connects Matthew 5:48 with the call to spiritual perfection through a life of holiness, repentance, and consistent prayer, showing that prayer is not optional but essential to Christian growth .Fr. George reflects on the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 and the hospitality of Abraham in Genesis 18, explaining how faith, trust in God, obedience to His commandments, and love for others prepare the heart to receive Christ. He emphasizes that prayer is meant to cultivate an ongoing relationship with God rather than replacing personal effort with delegation to clergy.Fr. George concludes by calling believers to sincere prayer, self-examination, repentance, and readiness to hear Christ’s voice declaring that salvation has come to their lives.#ChristianPrayer #FaithAndSalvation #SpiritualGrowth #BibleStudy #PrayerLife #RepentanceAndFaith #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

In this Bible study, Eric Tadros explores why God reveals Himself to people by examining the stories of the Ethiopian eunuch and Cornelius from the Book of Acts. Eric highlights their deep desire for God, consistent spiritual practices, and detachment from worldly things as key reasons God revealed Himself to them. Through these examples, viewers learn about the importance of combining a genuine desire for God with consistent prayer, fasting, and obedience in their spiritual journey.Eric emphasizes that spiritual growth requires endurance, likening it to an athlete’s disciplined training, and encourages viewers to maintain focus on Christ despite struggles or setbacks. He also discusses the need to purify intentions and remain thankful for Christ’s sacrifice, which motivates believers to run their spiritual race with perseverance. This study offers practical insights on how faith and perseverance bring us closer to unity with Christ.#BibleStudy #GodRevealsHimself #FaithAndPerseverance #SpiritualGrowth #BookOfActs #ChristianFaith #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the story of the sinful woman who courageously approached Jesus at Simon the Pharisee’s house. He reflects on the fears that often hold people back from repentance: fear of rejection by others, fear of committing to a new life, fear of losing one’s livelihood, and fear of being rejected by God. Fr. Matthias emphasizes how this woman’s faith, love, humility, and trust in God’s mercy enabled her to overcome these fears and find forgiveness.Drawing parallels with Saint Moses the Strong, he highlights that true repentance requires ongoing commitment and discipline. Fr. Matthias also reminds listeners that God’s grace is available to all sinners who sincerely seek Him, encouraging a fearless return to God through confession and repentance. This message addresses themes of salvation, mercy, faith, and the challenge of discipleship.#FearOfRejection #ChristianSermon #FaithAndForgiveness #GodsMercy #Repentance #Discipleship #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores how God provides for His people in various ways as illustrated through biblical examples. He discusses God’s protection from physical and spiritual destruction, referencing the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt, Noah’s ark, and Lot’s escape from Sodom. Fr. Matthias also explains how God provides in impossible circumstances, such as sustaining Elijah during a drought and delivering supplies during wartime.He highlights God’s protection from the evil of others and the psychological damage that life’s trials can cause, emphasizing the emotional healing God offers through faith. Fr. Matthias further teaches on how God guides believers in important decisions and gives based on our inherent value to Him, not on our merit. Finally, he addresses how God sometimes protects us from ourselves by redirecting us away from harmful paths. This message encourages trust in God’s continuous provision and care in every aspect of life.#GodProvides #FaithInGod #ChristianSermon #DivineProvision #TrustInGod #SpiritualHealing #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

Fr. Matthias Shehad explains how fasting serves as a spiritual tool rather than a goal. He emphasizes fasting as a means to draw closer to God through repentance, increased prayer, and self-control, rather than merely changing dietary habits. Fr. Matthias highlights that fasting fosters a desire for purity, helps break sinful bonds, and encourages serving others by sharing with those in need.He also discusses the importance of abstaining not just from certain foods but from distractions that hinder spiritual growth. Fasting should be accompanied by sincere, fervent prayer, showing deep commitment and dependence on God. Lastly, fasting humbles us before God and men, reminding us of our weakness and need for divine strength. Fr. Matthias encourages beginning the fast with guidance from one’s confessor to fully experience its spiritual benefits.#ChristianFasting #SpiritualGrowth #PrayerAndRepentance #FrMatthiasShehad #FaithAndSelfControl #ServeOthers #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

H.G. Bishop Gregory explores the biblical account of Jesus walking on water and His reassurance to the disciples: "It is I; do not be afraid." Bishop Gregory explains how fear often distracts us from trusting God, using examples from Scripture including Saint Peter, Moses, David, and Saint Paul to illustrate the importance of faith amid trials.He discusses practical steps for growing in trust: knowing God personally through prayer and Scripture, practicing awareness of His presence, combining prayer with decision-making, transforming weaknesses into opportunities for reliance on God, and regularly recalling God's promises with positive words.Bishop Gregory emphasizes that steady trust in God anchors believers through life’s storms, encouraging viewers to rely on God's love and faithfulness rather than their own understanding. This homily offers guidance on overcoming fear through deepened relationship with God and persistent prayer.#FaithOverFear #TrustInGod #JesusWalksOnWater #ChristianFaith #PrayerAndTrust #GodsPromises #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the meaning of laboring for the food that endures to eternal life, as opposed to the food that perishes. Drawing from Scripture and the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Fr. Matthias emphasizes how true spiritual nourishment comes from faith, self-discipline, humility, obedience, and love. He addresses common distractions such as the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, status, and how these temporal desires ultimately lead to spiritual downfall.Fr. Matthias explains the importance of growing in faith through prayer, scripture, and fellowship with believers. He highlights the role of fasting and asceticism in strengthening self-discipline and spiritual awareness. The talk also discusses the necessity of humility in submitting to God's authority and trusting His guidance in all aspects of life.Through obedience and acts of love towards others, believers prepare themselves for eternal life. Fr. Matthias encourages cultivating these virtues to build a lasting “heavenly house” that stands beyond this temporary world.#EternalLife #SpiritualNourishment #FaithAndObedience #ChristianDiscipleship #PresentationOfTheLord #FrMatthiasShehad #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Jesus’ teaching on not laboring for the food which perishes but for the food that endures to everlasting life. He examines the ways people expend effort chasing temporary things such as riches, pleasure, beauty, and power, highlighting how these pursuits consume time and distract from spiritual growth.Fr. Matthias clarifies that working to meet our needs is necessary but warns against an excessive attachment to worldly desires. Drawing from scripture, he explains the fleeting nature of wealth, the dangers of pursuing pleasure, the passing quality of physical beauty, and the temporary status of position and power. He emphasizes that everything we have is given by God and calls for stewardship rather than ownership.This message invites reflection on how to balance life’s demands while focusing on eternal values and preparing for the reward that lasts beyond this life.#ChristianSermon #FaithOverWorldlyThings #EternalLife #SpiritualGrowth #JesusTeachings #StewardshipOfGod #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

H.G. Bishop Gregory explores the theme of Jesus Christ’s authority over death through the story of the raising of the widow of Nain’s son. He explains how this miracle represents Christ’s compassion as the life-giver who raises us from spiritual death caused by sin. Bishop Gregory compares three biblical accounts of resurrection to illustrate different stages of sin—internalized, externalized, and habitual—and emphasizes the hope and patience needed to overcome spiritual struggles.He highlights the role of the Church as a mother who weeps for the salvation of sinners and encourages believers to pray for themselves and others without judgment. The homily also discusses the importance of approaching Christ, hearing His word, and allowing it to transform the heart. Bishop Gregory urges maintaining hope, shedding tears for repentance, and trusting in God’s power to raise us to new spiritual life.#SpiritualResurrection #JesusHeals #HopeInChrist #FaithAndRepentance #ChristianHomily #PowerOfPrayer #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org