Among the series of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center Book issues
Recently issued: “So He Lived… So He Spoke… A Tale of a Life” Book
As narrated by the Triple Beatified His Holiness Pope Shenouda III
Introduced by:
Bishop Ermia
The General Bishop and Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
October 2012
Foreword
“So He Lived… So He Spoke… A Tale of a Life as narrated by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III”… Lines that are engraved in the pages of history, carved on the forehead of time, before being written down in a book pages, it is the life story of the Triple Beatified His Holiness Pope Shenouda III as narrated by him.
His life contains many incidents he passed through, observing God’s hand which has worked to prepare His Holiness to be a pastor and leader for the Church: “And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jeremiah 3:15)
The story reveals to us his life, and the distresses he passed through, granting him a kind heart that attempts to alleviate others’ suffering. His loneness at his early age made the book his best friend, which enabled him to be equipped with wide knowledge to counter the weird thoughts, and granted him skillfulness in holding conversations. He supported his congregation and taught it through his sermons, that he was regarded as “the Golden mouthed”.
All the incidents that His Holiness Pope passed through provided his personality with what the Church needs; God granted him the wisdom as the Church is in need of a wise skillful shipmaster, sailing the ship throughout distressful times until it docks safely, following the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ in all that. His Holiness Pope Shenouda is a unique deep character that deserved to be the focus of the entire world, and he will be so for several generations.
Throughout long years, I have learnt at the feet of my teacher, professor and father, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III. His Holiness called me to the ministry with him since 1995; I worked as His Holiness secretary for full seventeen years; in which His Holiness audibly recorded his life since his childhood until the end. I have introduced his biography to be an example for us to follow his faith and firmness. “Whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct” (Hebrews 13: 7).
This biography gives hope to those who are in distress, opening up horizons of hope and faith in God’s work and love for everyone. Thus, it was a duty of mine, as a deputy of His Holiness at the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center which was established and cared for by His Holiness, to introduce his fragrant biography, to be in the hands of all his lovers, pleading for God to benefit us with the prayers and intercession of our father the Triple Beatified His Holiness Pope Shenouda III.
27th of Epip 1728 AM
3rd of August 2012 AD
The commemoration of the Triple Beatified His Holiness Pope Shenouda III’s birth
Bishop Ermia
The General Bishop and Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center