My Beloved the benevolent                        July 2026

Grace and peace, wishing you every goodness and blessings

On Wednesday, July 1st, we celebrate the Feast of St. Moses the Strong. On July 12, we celebrate the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul. On Tuesday, July 14th, we celebrate the Feast of St. Anba Shenouda the Archimandrite, and on Wednesday, July 15th, we celebrate the Feast of St. Anba Bishoy, the Beloved of Our Good Savior.

The saints are the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. St. Paul reminds us: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1–2)

+ In our spiritual struggle, we look to our God and Savior Jesus Christ, who provides us with the perfect example of life. We seek to imitate Him and ask for His help in facing the challenges we encounter during our earthly journey.

+ The saints are examples that testify to Christ’s work in their lives; they reflect the light of Christ to us, and in their lives, we see lessons that bear witness to God’s work.

+ St. Moses the Strong provides us with a model of the power of repentance. He was once a thief who committed many sins and evil deeds, but God’s grace led him to seek the Lord. He went into the desert, where the Desert Fathers embraced him and guided him to the Christian faith. After his baptism, he began a new life, struggling courageously against the attacks of demons and using his physical strength to do good and to help others. St. Moses the Strong teaches us how to use our energy and abilities to serve others. The Lord gave him a strong body, which he first used to satisfy sinful desires and harm others. After his faith and repentance, he used that same strength to discipline his passions, serve the needs of his fellow monks, and care for those in need.

+ St. Peter provides us with a model of love for Christ, for he left everything and followed the Lord Jesus. He had great zeal in his love for Christ, yet he also fell into the sin of denying Him. When Christ warned him, saying, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:31–32) Peter replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” But Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.” (Luke 22:33–34)

St. Peter loved Christ with a sincere love, but it was not yet a fully mature and aware love. He did not understand the meaning of the Cross or recognize the seriousness of the trial ahead. Therefore, he relied on his own determination instead of seeking divine help, and he fell. Yet he repented and wept bitterly.

+ St. Paul was transformed from a persecutor of Christians into one who was persecuted for the Christian faith. He preached throughout Asia and Europe, ultimately giving his life in martyrdom for his faith.

+ St. Anba Shenouda offers us a model of loving others and helping them in times of distress. When hardship struck the people living near the monasteries, he opened the monastery doors to receive thousands of those in need and provided them with shelter and support throughout the crisis.

+ St. Anba Bishoy teaches us that serving a person in need is equivalent to serving Christ Himself, for he saw Christ in every needy person. As the Lord Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” (Matthew 25:40)

We pray that God may grant us the grace to meditate on the lives of the saints commemorated this blessed month, imitate their virtues, and seek their prayers on our behalf so that we may complete our spiritual struggle in peace.

May the Lord bless your offerings to support Santa Verena Charity’s programs.

Metropolitan Serapion