Five Minutes with Father Samuel
What's your favourite Prayer and why?
Thanksgiving prayer because
it is a chance to reflect on God's goodness and His many gifts to us. Many people don't get close to God because they don't reflect on His goodness, love and gift of eternal life. Also this prayer helps us to reach out to God to receive His support and Godly peace, casting away all sources of evil and temptation. It is a very fulfilling prayer indeed!
Who is your favourite Saint and why?
All saints are beautiful. Each one has his own particular virtue that stands out. I very much like St Anthony, as he, not only specialised in a particular virtue, he aimed for perfection in all virtues. So he became known for his great wisdom, so much so that people came from distant places to listen to his wisdom. His arduous fight against temptations, his humility, preparedness to sacrifice his life for Christ and seeking perfection in all virtues.
Whast your favourite Prable?
All parables serve a purpose. I keep coming back to the parable of the sower, as it relates so well to real life situations, and even different circumstances a person can find himself/herself in. Yet Christ calls us all to have a heart which is ripe to allow the seed to flourish and produce much fruit.
When did you become a Priest and what made you answer this calling?
I was Ordained on 30 May, 1999 (feast of Pentecost) in St Mark's Cathedral in Cairo. I was serving youth/ Sunday school, a hospital scientist (biochemist) at RMH and was running a childcare centre with tasoni Mary. Fr Victor was about to undergo a serious liver operation, and asked if I would think about serving St Mark's congregation. Just before he asked me, Mary (in Egypt at the time) had informed me that although she previously was against the idea, she felt as she prayed in one of the churches that she should not prevent my ordination to take place, if I were asked. Other information which I found out from other people later made me feel it was a call from God.
Into the Future, what are your goals for the church/service/youth?
I pray that all youth and church servants would feel a sense of responsibility towards, not only understanding the word of God, but also help in spreading it. I am particularly keen to see our faith being promoted to non-copts, as I truly believe we have a rich faith which is deeply rooted in the tradition and faith of the early church.
