H.G. Anba Ermia, General Bishop and Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, delivered a spiritual sermon titled “Lights Amid the Darkness” at St. George the Martyr Church in Mit Ghamr on Monday evening, March 30, 2026. During the sermon, His Grace presented profound reflections on the events of the final week of the Lord Jesus Christ’s earthly life, highlighting scenes of forgiveness and compassion amid betrayal and ingratitude.
Lights in the Midst of Darkness | Sermon by His Grace Bishop Ermia at St. George the Martyr Church in Mit Ghamr
Forgiveness and Mercy in the Face of Ingratitude and Betrayal!!
The Lord Jesus Christ in the Final Week.
Anba Ermia: What About the Holy City That Worships the Lord?!
During Holy Week, Jerusalem—the Holy City—became a center of plots and intrigues!
Anba Ermia: False witnesses, and priests and chief priests plotting the most heinous crime in history.
And this is what the Lord Jesus Christ said about Jerusalem!
“No generation is free from betrayal like that which the Lord Jesus Christ endured.”
Anba Ermia: The Lord Jesus Christ was subjected to “dark envy” and betrayal by one of His prominent disciples.
For this reason, the Church prohibits kissing (“the hand of peace”) from Wednesday night—Tuesday evening—until the end of Holy Week.
After they hailed Him as king against Caesar, they conspired, went out, and cried out against Him saying: “Crucify Him!”
Anba Ermia: A people with hard and stubborn hearts.
“And you leave me alone”
In powerful and moving words, His Grace Anba Ermia describes the Lord Jesus Christ’s feeling after His disciples abandoned Him.
What is the hardest thing that has ever happened to your loving heart?!
How painful it is to be denied by those you love?!
Humanity has reached this painful extent…
Moving words, with tears, from His Grace Anba Ermia.
Anba Ermia: I tell you, “Do not be afraid,”
for grace works in everyone without exception.
The Apostle Peter denied, but he repented and was illuminated by the work of grace.
How did grace work in Pilate and his wife? And did they respond to it?
His Grace Anba Ermia explains.
Anba Ermia:
The work of grace does not compel anyone to do good, for the grace of guidance does not nullify the grace of free will.
“The Light of Grace Conquered the Power of Darkness”
Judas Iscariot and the work of grace! Did he truly repent?
His Grace Anba Ermia explains.
“Standing with Him in His Pain, Distress, and Cross”
Anba Ermia: Lights in the Midst of Darkness.
Joseph the Archer… Courage and Steadfastness,
He neither fled nor disappeared until the very last moment.
Anba Ermia: “Nicodemus” is a man of principles in all circumstances.
Anba Ermia: Simon of Cyrene and the centurion “Longinus the Martyr” never wavered in their faith.
After mocking and ridiculing Him, he believed!
Simply because he responded to the work of grace, he considered his death a baptism.
Anba Ermia: Nature itself declared its displeasure at the injustice done to the Lord Jesus Christ.
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