Difference between revisions of "Matta El-Meskeen"
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| − | Father | + | [[Image:416px-Abouna_Matta_El_Meskeen.jpg|thumb|Abouna Matta El Meskeen: Spiritual Father of the Monks in St. Macarius' Monastery in Scetis (Egypt) - Other photos: [http://www.wataninet.com/images/articles/7913.jpg], [http://www.fathermatta.com/arabic/pics.php?pic=/gallery/f_m007.jpg]]] |
| − | + | Abouna '''Matta El Meskeen''' (Maskeen or Meskine; translated as Matthew the Poor), born Youssef Eskander (1919 - June 8, 2006), was a [[Coptic|Coptic Orthodox]] [[monk]] and spiritual father of 130 monks in the [[Monastery]] of St. [[Macarius the Great]] at Scetis in Wadi Natrun, Egypt. He is considered by many to be a renowned Orthodox theologian, and was an author of voluminous texts on numerous topics, including biblical exegesis, ecclesiastical rites, and other spiritual and theological matters. | |
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| + | Abouna Matta is celebrated by many Copts as a reformer and a prominent figure in recent Coptic history. Following the repose of Pope [[Cyril VI (Atta) of Alexandria|Kyrillos VI]] in 1971, Abouna Matta and two others ([[Bishops]] Samuel and [[Shenouda III (Gayyid) of Alexandria|Shenouda]]) were considered as candidates for the [[Patriarch]]al throne. Bishop Shenouda was chosen to be the [[Church of Alexandria (Coptic)|Coptic Pope of Alexandria]]. | ||
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| + | Abouna Matta and Pope Shenouda share some common history. Both participated in the Sunday school movement and Matta was Shenouda's confessor in the 1950s. More recently, some misunderstandings between both leaders and their followers<sup>[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arbible/message/30051]</sup> have surfaced, e.g., recent discussions on the concept of [[theosis]]<sup>[http://www.monachos.net/forum/showthread.php?p=22429]</sup> and also the position Abouna Matta held on the [[Mark 16|sixteenth chapter of St. Mark's gospel]]. | ||
== Early life == | == Early life == | ||
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| + | Abouna Matta El Meskeen was born in Benha, elKaliobia, Egypt, in 1919. In 1944, he graduated in Pharmacy from the University of Cairo. In 1948, after leading a successful life and establishing a wealthy lifestyle for himself--Eskander at the time was the owner of two pharmacies, two villas, and two cars--he renounced his material possessions, and entered the Monastery of St. [[Samuel the Confessor]] in Qualmun (roughly near Maghagha, Upper Egypt). | ||
== Monastic life == | == Monastic life == | ||
| − | After living for a few years in the Monastery of St. Samuel the Confessor | + | |
| − | + | After living for a few years in the Monastery of St. Samuel the Confessor, Matta decided to move out into Wadi El Rayan in the late 1950s. There, he lived as a [[recluse]] in the spirit of the ancient [[Desert Fathers]] for twelve years. By 1960, seven other monks joined him. The community expanded to twelve by 1964. These twelve monks were sent to Wadi El Natroun in 1969. | |
==Quotes== | ==Quotes== | ||
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| + | *:Whenever physical hunger turned cruel against me, I found my gratification in prayer. Whenever the biting cold of winter was unkind to me, I found my warmth in prayer. Whenever people were harsh to me (and their harshness was severe indeed) I found my comfort in prayer. In short, prayer became my food and my drink, my outfit and my armor, whether by night or by day. | ||
| − | : | + | *:It is no joy for the church to have many active members of varied services who lack the spiritual proficiency for renewing souls and regenerating them in a genuine spiritual rebirth to win them for the Kingdom of Heaven. The true joy of the Church lies in leaders who possess spiritual insight, who walk ahead of their flocks so that the flocks can follow a sure path. It is not possible to obtain spiritual insight by action or study, spiritual insight is attained by silence, retreat and long prayers in their various stages. |
| + | *:I felt I was late to come to the knowledge of Christ; studying the Bible appeared such a daunting task. In desperation, I asked the Lord to give me either a long life to have enough time to study the Bible well, or enough wisdom to grasp its hidden meanings. In His everlasting generosity, God gave me both. | ||
| − | : | + | ==Sources== |
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| + | * [[Wikipedia:Fr Matta El-Meskeen]] | ||
| + | * [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arbible/message/30051 Fr Matta El-Meskeen and Pope Shenouda III: Two strong-willed reformers bring Coptic Orthodoxy back to life] from Christianity Today, December 3, 2001 | ||
| + | * [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arbible/message/30967 Between Pope (87) Matthew the Poor, Anba Abraam, and the departed Fr Matta El-Meskeen (with a comprehensive biography of the latter)] | ||
| + | * [http://www.wataninet.com/article_en.asp?ArticleID=7884 Father Matta al-Miskeen (1919-2006): A life well-lived] from the Watani newspaper, 11 June 2006 | ||
| + | * [http://www.zeitun-eg.net/frmatta_el-meskeen.wmv Video: Spiritual Quotes by Fr. Matta El-Meskeen (1919-2006)] | ||
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| + | ==Further reading== | ||
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| + | ===External links=== | ||
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* [http://www.stmacariusmonastery.org/eabout.htm The Monastery of St. Macarius] | * [http://www.stmacariusmonastery.org/eabout.htm The Monastery of St. Macarius] | ||
* [http://www.stmacariusmonastery.org/media/clips_1978.wmv Video interview of Fr Matta El-Meskeen] | * [http://www.stmacariusmonastery.org/media/clips_1978.wmv Video interview of Fr Matta El-Meskeen] | ||
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* http://www.fathermatta.com | * http://www.fathermatta.com | ||
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* [http://www.stmacariusmonastery.org/graphics/089.JPG Photo of Fr Matta's tomb in the mountain near his monastery], [http://www.stmacariusmonastery.org/media/fr_matta_2.wmv Video] (See also [http://www.stmacariusmonastery.org/f_matta06.htm] (Arabic).) | * [http://www.stmacariusmonastery.org/graphics/089.JPG Photo of Fr Matta's tomb in the mountain near his monastery], [http://www.stmacariusmonastery.org/media/fr_matta_2.wmv Video] (See also [http://www.stmacariusmonastery.org/f_matta06.htm] (Arabic).) | ||
| − | * [http://www.zeitun-eg.net/ | + | |
| + | '''Articles by Fr. Matta El-Maskeen''' | ||
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| + | * [http://coptichymns.net/index.php?module=pagesetter&tid=1&filter=core.author:eq:Father%20Matta%20El%20Maskeen%20(Matthew%20the%20Poor)&pubcnt=100 English Articles 100 English Articles] from coptichymns.net | ||
| + | * [http://www.stmacariusmonastery.org/efr_mata_articles.htm Articles by Fr Matta El-Meskine Translated into English] | ||
| + | * http://www.coptic.net/public/boston/youth/lessons/Christ_and_sinners.pdf | ||
| + | * http://www.coptic.net/public/boston/youth/lessons/Paul.pdf | ||
| + | * http://www.coptic.net/public/boston/youth/lessons/resurrection.pdf | ||
| + | * http://www.zeitun-eg.net/members_contrib/Coptcaln.rar | ||
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| + | ===Books=== | ||
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| + | * Father Matta El-Maskeen. ''Orthodox Prayer Life: The Interior Way'' (ISBN 0881412503) | ||
| + | * Father Matta El-Maskeen. ''The Communion of Love'' (ISBN 0881410365) | ||
[[Category:Modern Writers]] | [[Category:Modern Writers]] | ||
[[Category:Monastics]] | [[Category:Monastics]] | ||
Revision as of 15:15, June 19, 2006
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Abouna Matta El Meskeen (Maskeen or Meskine; translated as Matthew the Poor), born Youssef Eskander (1919 - June 8, 2006), was a Coptic Orthodox monk and spiritual father of 130 monks in the Monastery of St. Macarius the Great at Scetis in Wadi Natrun, Egypt. He is considered by many to be a renowned Orthodox theologian, and was an author of voluminous texts on numerous topics, including biblical exegesis, ecclesiastical rites, and other spiritual and theological matters.
Abouna Matta is celebrated by many Copts as a reformer and a prominent figure in recent Coptic history. Following the repose of Pope Kyrillos VI in 1971, Abouna Matta and two others (Bishops Samuel and Shenouda) were considered as candidates for the Patriarchal throne. Bishop Shenouda was chosen to be the Coptic Pope of Alexandria.
Abouna Matta and Pope Shenouda share some common history. Both participated in the Sunday school movement and Matta was Shenouda's confessor in the 1950s. More recently, some misunderstandings between both leaders and their followers[3] have surfaced, e.g., recent discussions on the concept of theosis[4] and also the position Abouna Matta held on the sixteenth chapter of St. Mark's gospel.
Early life
Abouna Matta El Meskeen was born in Benha, elKaliobia, Egypt, in 1919. In 1944, he graduated in Pharmacy from the University of Cairo. In 1948, after leading a successful life and establishing a wealthy lifestyle for himself--Eskander at the time was the owner of two pharmacies, two villas, and two cars--he renounced his material possessions, and entered the Monastery of St. Samuel the Confessor in Qualmun (roughly near Maghagha, Upper Egypt).
Monastic life
After living for a few years in the Monastery of St. Samuel the Confessor, Matta decided to move out into Wadi El Rayan in the late 1950s. There, he lived as a recluse in the spirit of the ancient Desert Fathers for twelve years. By 1960, seven other monks joined him. The community expanded to twelve by 1964. These twelve monks were sent to Wadi El Natroun in 1969.
Quotes
- Whenever physical hunger turned cruel against me, I found my gratification in prayer. Whenever the biting cold of winter was unkind to me, I found my warmth in prayer. Whenever people were harsh to me (and their harshness was severe indeed) I found my comfort in prayer. In short, prayer became my food and my drink, my outfit and my armor, whether by night or by day.
- It is no joy for the church to have many active members of varied services who lack the spiritual proficiency for renewing souls and regenerating them in a genuine spiritual rebirth to win them for the Kingdom of Heaven. The true joy of the Church lies in leaders who possess spiritual insight, who walk ahead of their flocks so that the flocks can follow a sure path. It is not possible to obtain spiritual insight by action or study, spiritual insight is attained by silence, retreat and long prayers in their various stages.
- I felt I was late to come to the knowledge of Christ; studying the Bible appeared such a daunting task. In desperation, I asked the Lord to give me either a long life to have enough time to study the Bible well, or enough wisdom to grasp its hidden meanings. In His everlasting generosity, God gave me both.
Sources
- Wikipedia:Fr Matta El-Meskeen
- Fr Matta El-Meskeen and Pope Shenouda III: Two strong-willed reformers bring Coptic Orthodoxy back to life from Christianity Today, December 3, 2001
- Between Pope (87) Matthew the Poor, Anba Abraam, and the departed Fr Matta El-Meskeen (with a comprehensive biography of the latter)
- Father Matta al-Miskeen (1919-2006): A life well-lived from the Watani newspaper, 11 June 2006
- Video: Spiritual Quotes by Fr. Matta El-Meskeen (1919-2006)
Further reading
External links
- The Monastery of St. Macarius
- Video interview of Fr Matta El-Meskeen
- http://www.fathermatta.com
- Photo of Fr Matta's tomb in the mountain near his monastery, Video (See also [5] (Arabic).)
Articles by Fr. Matta El-Maskeen
- English Articles 100 English Articles from coptichymns.net
- Articles by Fr Matta El-Meskine Translated into English
- http://www.coptic.net/public/boston/youth/lessons/Christ_and_sinners.pdf
- http://www.coptic.net/public/boston/youth/lessons/Paul.pdf
- http://www.coptic.net/public/boston/youth/lessons/resurrection.pdf
- http://www.zeitun-eg.net/members_contrib/Coptcaln.rar
Books
- Father Matta El-Maskeen. Orthodox Prayer Life: The Interior Way (ISBN 0881412503)
- Father Matta El-Maskeen. The Communion of Love (ISBN 0881410365)
![[1]](http://www.wataninet.com/images/articles/7913.jpg){kind=link}
![[2]](http://www.fathermatta.com/arabic/pics.php?pic=/gallery/f_m007.jpg){kind=link}
