SAINT DIMIANA I: Sagy Selman Aziz (Fr .Shenouda Nouar) II SYNAXARIUM, the Twelfth Day of Bashans & the Thirteenth Day of the Blessed Month of Toba. III Les Saints D’Egypte by Dr. IV Coptic monasticism COMPILED BY MARK MIKHAEL 1998 Edited by Fr Daniel Al-Antony, Youth Co-Coordinator Melbourne – V The Coptic Calendar and the VI The Saints of Egypt In the Coptic Calendar by: Delacy Evans O’Leary, Translated into Arabic by Deacon Dr. Michael Maksy Iskander, printed by Harmony Co. of Printing, 2000. VII The Revival of the Coptic Monasticism, by the secretary of the Holy Synod, printed in the monastery of St. Mina, Mariout, 2004. VIII the Coptic Encyclopedia by Azis S. Atiya Vol 3 P 903 Printing 1991 by Macmillan Publishing Company IV The Coptic Encyclopedia by Azis S. Atiya Vol 6 P1968 Printing 1991 by Macmillan Publishing Company XI SCRIPTURE NO. 72631A IN THE MONASATERY OF ST. DEMIANA IN THE YEAR 1732, SCRIPTURE NO. 72555A IN THE MONATSREY IN THE YEAR 1781 AND BOTH WERE TAKEN FROM SCRIPTURE ON THE 6TH CENTURY IN THE TIME OF POPE DEMIANOUS 35 (598-563). Saint DIMIANA main points What caused her to think of being a nun? And how did she start the monastic life? Her father’s denial of Christianity and how did she convince him to come back to Christ and to become one of his followers? What led to St. Dimiana convent’s ruin? And how it was restored it its former glory? The work and the writings of the fathers about the Saint, and all the details which are written about her in the Coptic Orthodox Synaxarium. The latest miracle which is told by a Bishop Introduction: THE MONASTIC LIFE: IV, 8-9 from the saying of H.H. Pope Shenouda III What is monasticism, as known by our Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church when itwas founded and blossomed in the early centuries? Monasticism is not only a name or belonging to a monastery or convent. It is not the monks or nuns dress, or appearance from their kolonsowa (head garment or scarf) to their belts. Monasticism is a way of life to rid the inner self of materialism. The calendar of Coptic the Orthodox Church is the calendar of martyrdom. This calendar started in the year two hundred and eighty four after the death of Christ. V p6 Since the fourth century, as many of the Copts were martyred, they considered the Era of Diocletian as the golden age, and chose the year of Diocletian’s military election as Emperor in November 284 as the starting point of their calendar. The Era of Diocletian is usually called the “Era of the Martyrs,” and its abbreviation is A.M. (for anno martyrdom). This is the time where Christians offered their lives as a cheap price for the sake of witnessing Christianity to the entire world at that time, including kings and rulers. Knowing that, in doing so they shall inherit a better life, an eternal one with Christ in the heavenly What caused St. Dimiana to become a nun? And how did she start her monastic life? I: 8,9,10 St. Dimiana was the sole daughter of Marcus, Roman governor of the district of Parallus (al-Bururullus), Zafaran, and Wadi al Saysaban in the northern Delta of valley of the Nail she was born at an unknown date in the third century (VIII P 903). Her parents were Christians and God fearing people. She was the only child in this righteous family (VIII P 903). She was a very beautiful girl, who was loved by everyone who saw her. Her parents were very generous parents, who knew how to give to the poor and needy. On St. Dimiana’s first birthday, her parents arranged a three day party and invited all the poor and needy of their province.’ (II, 338) The saint grew up in the knowledge of the biblical word. She loved reading and meditating upon the word of God. She used to spend hours reading the Bible with tears running down her cheeks. She knew all about praying and fasting. When she reached the age of marriage, that is fifteen years old ( II ), numerous (the would be future husband) handsome pious young men proposed to her father to marry Dimiana. Nevertheless, she was surprised even at the thought that her father was considering the matter. She indicated very clearly and strongly to her father that she will spend the rest of her life as a nun on this earth and a bride for the Lord Christ in eternity. Thus her father accepted her wishes with gladness. He then asked Dimiana if he could help her to achieve her goal. So she asked her father to construct another place away from the palace and its never-ending duties, a place where she can find real solitude. This is to be a place for worshiping the Lord God, and praying fervently. That is to peruse monasticism for the rest of her life. So her father the governor built another small palace to the north of the city. A place called the city of This was to be for Dimaina and for any other virgin females of this city who would vow themselves to be nuns. After a short while forty other virgins joined Dimiana Her father’s denial of Christianity and how did she convince him to come back to Christ and to become one of his followers? A short while later the Emperor Diocletian was deceived by some evil governors saying that not all those who govern follow the rules of the land. Mark was one of them. Hence Diocletian sent for Mark; Dimiana’s father; and ordered him to worship the idols, but he refused at first. But it did not take the emperor much to persuade mark to worship and offer incense to the idols forsaking the Almighty God and the creator of this world. (VIII P903) Later, Dimiana found out what her father had done. She was greatly disturbed and saddened. Consequently, on her first meeting with her father, she met him without greeting, saying “What have I heard about you? I wished I have heard the news of your death, and not knowing that you have forsaken God who have created you, and worshipped what is made by hands. If you insist on what you are doing, and you do not repent by denouncing the idols, you are not my father, and I am not your daughter” II, 339 “It is better for you, O my father, that you die a martyr and live with Christ in heaven forever, than you live as a pagan here and die with the devil in Hades forever”II 339 Thus, her father was greatly troubled by what his daughter said to him. Obviously, Mark went back to Emperor Diocletian and confessed his faith in Christ. When Diocletian could not change his mind, he ordered him to be beheaded. The work and the writings of the fathers about the Saint, and all the details, which are written about her in the Coptic Orthodox Synaxarium & in Coptic ENCYCLOPEDIA: Diocletian found out that the one that turned Governor Mark against worshipping the idols was not only his daughter Dimiana, but also she is a beautiful lady. II p 339 VI p 137 Thus the emperor sent to her a prince to gently and diligently try to convince her to come back to worshipping the idols. But when St Dimiana refused at first, the prince tried to promise her of many gifts and marrying her. Thus, she may become a queen one day and have all the pleasure and prestige that go with that role. Then the Saint spoke boldly against the idols and how they are just rocks which are shaped by the hand of artists, and that they are mute and deaf statues which can not feel nor see, and most of all are houses for devils. Obviously, it did not take long for the word to get back to the emperor who could not contain his anger. Therefore, quickly and swiftly, the emperor threatened Dimiana and killed the other forty virgins who lived with her, VI p 137 He then took Dimiana and tortured her in many different ways. But the Lord Jesus and What led to St. Dimiana convent’s ruin? And how it was restored it its former glory? II p 340 Abba Yoannis, Bishop of El-Borollus, said in his book, The History of the Church: “The church was destroyed in the 8th century by one of the Arab rulers, who built in its place a palace for his residence” At this time the water of the Mediterranean see flooded the Delta of the Now, God assisted this Patriarch through the help of one of the righteous men who was known as El-Toffahi, in this trying time. Instantly the water receded to the north before them. The Patriarch, behind him El-Tofahi, the priests, the people, and the king continued to walk until they reached El-Zaafran where they erected tents for the king beside the destroyed palace, under which the body of St. Dimiana along with the bodies of the forty martyred virgins was kept. VII, P 164-166 The Church that was destroyed in the 8th Century has become the monastery of St. Dimiana in 1527. This monastery has a number of churches, some of which are very old and are considered to be Christian shrines and invaluable memorials, for Coptic and Non-Coptic Christians alike. These churches are dated back to the 8th, 10th, 16th, and the last two centuries. At the present time, and under the leadership of H.H. Pope Shenouda III most of these churches have been restored to their former glory. “H.H. Pope Shenouda III has ordained twenty three nuns for this monastery on 24th and 25th September 1978.” P169. Many more groups of nuns have been ordained since then. The nuns produce a number of hands made items, which can be used in churches or bought by the general public for their handicraft and blessings. There is a well-known centre for preparing those who would like to become nuns one day. In addition, there is a special building for those who seek a quiet place for spiritual seclusion and/or meditation. Conclusion: In Conclusion, the ascetic life of St. Dimiana was a life of faith, love, and hope through the Lord Christ, the Saviour of the world. It is a life of courage, meditation and commitment. Her monastery is a Christian shrine that is not only famous between the Coptic Orthodox of the world but also is of great importance to all Christians of the world. THE REFERENCES, WHICH ARE USED
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
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