Source: View original Google Doc Converted: 2026-04-22
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, we want to:
- Give with joy — not obligation, not calculation, but the joy of a heart that has received much
- Live simply — to hold possessions loosely and trust God for provision
- Trust that God defends the humble — we do not need to defend ourselves; He is our defense
Biography
Born: 1829, in the village of Beni-Mazar, Egypt, as Boulos (Paul)
Early life: Showed great piety from childhood. Refused to marry despite family pressure, sensing a call to the monastic life.
Ordained deacon at a young age; served faithfully.
Entered Al-Muharraq Monastery (Deir al-Muharraq) — one of the oldest monasteries in Egypt, believed to be built on the site where the Holy Family rested during the Flight to Egypt. Here he was tonsured a monk and given the name Abraam (Abraham).
Ordained bishop: In 1881, he was ordained Bishop of Giza and Fayoum by Pope Cyril IV. He served as bishop until his blessed repose in 1914.
Glorified: He was numbered among the saints by the Coptic Holy Synod.
Stories That Reveal His Character
1. The Blanket
A poor man came to Bishop Abraam in the winter, shivering and in need. The bishop had only one blanket. He gave it to the man. A church official protested: “Your Holiness, you have nothing left.” Abraam replied: “Neither did Christ.”
Lesson: The joy of giving is not diminished by having little — it is purified by it.
2. The Discriminatory Cook
A cook in the bishop’s household began giving smaller portions to the poor who came for meals than to the wealthy guests. When Bishop Abraam discovered this, he did not scold the cook publicly. Instead, he began serving the meals himself — giving the largest portions to the poorest guests.
When asked why, he said: “The man who has nothing needs the most. The man who has plenty needs to learn to need less.”
Lesson: Dignity toward the poor is not an act of charity — it is an act of justice.
3. Giving the 100 Pounds
A wealthy man came to the bishop offering a large donation to the diocese. He gave 100 pounds — a significant sum at the time. Before the man had left the building, Bishop Abraam had already given the entire amount to the poor who were waiting outside.
The wealthy man, hearing of this, was astonished. He said: “I gave it to the church, not to the poor!” Abraam replied: “They are the church.”
Lesson: The poor are not the recipients of the Church’s charity — they are the Church’s treasure.
4. The Scarf
A wealthy woman gave Bishop Abraam an expensive silk scarf. He thanked her, then immediately placed it around the neck of a poor woman who was sitting nearby. The giver was taken aback. He explained: “I received it in order to give it. That is what bishops are for.”
Lesson: Gifts received are gifts in transit.
5. The Furniture
When Bishop Abraam moved into the bishop’s residence, he found it furnished with fine pieces sent by wealthy patrons. He had the furniture auctioned and the proceeds given to the poor. He then furnished the residence with simple, plain items. He said: “A bishop is a servant, not a nobleman.”
Lesson: The symbols of simplicity matter. When the shepherd lives like the sheep, the sheep trust the shepherd.
6. The Ray of Light
On multiple occasions, witnesses reported seeing a ray of divine light shining around Bishop Abraam during the Divine Liturgy — particularly at the moment of consecration. He was unaware of it. Those who saw it came to him afterward, trembling. He rebuked them gently: “Do not speak of what you saw. Focus on what you received.”
Lesson: Holiness does not advertise itself.
God Defends the Humble
One of the recurring themes of Bishop Abraam’s life was his refusal to defend himself against slander or political opposition. There were those in power — both ecclesiastical and governmental — who opposed him at various points.
His pattern: he would pray, continue serving the poor, and trust God to defend him. And God consistently did.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” — James 4:10
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
The humble person does not need to fight for their position because their position is secure in God — not in the approval of others.
His Repose
Bishop Abraam reposed in 1914. Thousands came to venerate his body. Miracles of healing were reported at his tomb. His incorrupt body was a sign of the holiness of his life.
Reflection Questions
- Do you give joyfully — or reluctantly, calculatingly? What is one step toward more joyful giving?
- What does “living simply” look like in your life? What possessions or securities do you hold too tightly?
- Have you experienced a situation where you chose not to defend yourself and trusted God to vindicate you? What happened?
- Which of the stories above challenges you most? Why?
Prayer for the Intercession of St. Abraam
O holy father Abraam, lover of the poor and servant of the humble — intercede for us before the throne of God. Teach us your joy in giving, your simplicity in living, and your confidence that God defends those who trust in Him rather than in their own strength. Help us to see the poor as the Church’s treasure, and to hold our possessions loosely, knowing that we received in order to give. Amen.