Throughout history, the Church's role has been that of a loving mother who cares for Her children. She not only supports people spiritually, but also physically and emotionally. In times of need and distress, people turn to the Church to find a comforting, safe haven. The Coptic Orthodox Church has been this haven for countless people throughout the years.

     In an effort to better support Her children in a more structured fashion, BLESS (Bishopric of Public, Ecumenical and Social Services) was formed on September 30, 1962. It was then that His Holiness Pope Kyrillos VI, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, ordained the late H.G. Bishop Samuel as the first bishop of BLESS. BLESS was instituted out of the depths of love and steadfast commitment of the Coptic Orthodox Church for Her children.

     Today, the service of BLESS is no longer contained in Egypt but has spread to the lands of immigration. BLESS USA, BLESS Canada and BLESS UK are extensions of BLESS' charity program and are committed to helping our less fortunate brothers and sisters in Egypt (the Brethren of the Lord).

     While His Holiness was delighted with the advancements of BLESS USA, he spoke of the dire conditions people face in Egypt and illustrated various cases of hardships. His Holiness highlighted the great role that BLESS plays in helping disadvantaged Copts throughout Egypt, and how BLESS USA is a significant source of relief for the Brethren of the Lord. H. H. the Pope stressed that both BLESS and BLESS USA are the physical hands of the Church - one receiving aid from Copts in the United States and the other extending assistance to the Brethren of the Lord n Egypt, and thus encouraged the furtherance BLESS USA's service. What a great blessing it was for our beloved father and shepherd to visit BLESS USA! Throughout the meeting, His Holiness shared insightful comments about the service and spoke about the spiritual aspects of serving. Everyone present truly felt His Holiness' great love and care as a father and shepherd to his flock. Truly His Holiness' wisdom and invaluable advice were greatly beneficial as well as motivational. We would like to like to congratulate His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, along with H.G. Bishop Youannes, H.G. Bishop David, all the BLESS servants and members on the occasion of the 38th BLESS anniversary.

     The peace, love and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. My beloved, I would like to express my gratitude for the generosity and heartfelt kindness you have extended towards your needy brothers and sisters in Egypt, the Brethren of the Lord.

     Presently, we would like to continue contemplating how Divine Providence is bestowed upon those who show mercy and kindness to the less fortunate. In previous newsletters, we talked about the first four parts of this great topic. In the first part, we contemplated on David the Prophet's song: "You shall preserve me from trouble" (Ps. 32:7). In the second part, we saw David chant: "He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken" (Ps. 34:20). In the third, we examined David's song: "He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." Finally, we discussed in the fourth part, "The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night" (Ps. 121:3-6).

     In this newsletter, we continue to contemplate on the fifth part of this magnificent symphony of Divine Providence. Our teacher David the Prophet chants:

"The Lord shall preserve you from all evil" (Ps. 121:7).

     Those who have compassion upon the poor and the needy truly experience God's Providence and protection. The Lord preserves them in His stronghold and in His fortress. He protects them from all evil and shields them against any harm. Let us examine some examples of individuals who have shown compassion and mercy to the less fortunate, and how the Lord preserved them from evil.

     Our teacher David the Prophet sings: "Blessed is he who considers the poor." In the following passage, we listen to him as he exalts the Lord for preserving his life and protecting him from all evil: "Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge. His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it [evil] shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked...No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling" (Ps. 91:3-8, 10).

    David has actually experienced the Lord's protection and deliverance all the days of his life. The Lord has protected him from Goliath, Saul the King, Achish, the King of Gath, and Absalom, his son. Therefore, he incessantly chants to praise and glorify the Lord of his salvation, his refuge and his shield: "In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be put to shame...My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long; for they are confounded, for they are brought to shame who seek my hurt" (Ps. 71:1, 24). These same feelings of protection against evil are expressed in another Psalm: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil" (Ps. 23:4).

II. Saint Paul, the Apostle:

     The gentle-hearted, St. Paul the Apostle, also experienced God's protection and watchfulness. Throughout his life, the Lord has guarded him against all evil. In Acts 23, we see how the Lord has saved him from forty Jews who have plotted to kill him. Here, he again enumerates the different hardships and perils wherein he experienced the Lord's vigilance and protection: "In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren" (2 Cor. 11:26). Also, in his Second Epistle to Timothy, we read how the Lord upheld him in the many afflictions and persecutions he had to face: "But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra - what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me" (2 Tim. 3:10-11). "Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm…But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me…I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion" (2 Tim. 4:14, 17). The Lord has truly sustained him and protected him from all evil and harm.

III. St. Sarabamoun "Abou Tarha" (The Veiled):

     St. Sarabamoun "Abou Tarha," the Bishop of Monofia (who passed away in 1853) also felt God's Providence. This saintly bishop was known for leading a life of asceticism. He was virtuous and godly and had exhibited great compassion and love towards the needy. In disguise he would walk at night in the alleys of Cairo to provide less fortunate families with the flour they need.

     One day, he was on his way to visit the old church of St. Mary in the alley of Zewilla. He had to go through Mustafa Street, the only street leading to the church. A prostitute clung to him to humiliate him. He kindly asked her to leave him alone. When she refused to let him go, he shouted: "May the hand that holds me be paralyzed." Immediately, the woman started to cry because of the pain that had afflicted her hand. In fear, she begged him to heal her. He had compassion upon her and made her well again. He continued on his way to church. A hymn emerged from his heart saying: "Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble."

Bishop Youannes
General Bishop and Secretary of H.H. Pope Shenouda III