Can you share a sermon by Pope Shenouda III on love and peace?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III consistently taught that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but a fruit of the Holy Spirit that begins within the heart through love.

His Holiness often taught that love is the foundation of the Christian life. Below is a synthesis of his teachings on how to acquire love and peace, which he frequently delivered during his weekly Wednesday lectures and in his writings.

The Source of Peace

Pope Shenouda III taught that a person cannot give what they do not possess. To spread peace in the world, one must first be at peace with God, with oneself, and with others. He emphasized:

• Peace with God: This is achieved through repentance and keeping the commandments. When a person is in a state of grace, they fear nothing, for as the Psalm says: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want".
• Inner Peace: This comes from faith and trust in God’s providence. His Holiness famously said, "Let it be for good" and "God exists," reminding us that since God is in control, our hearts should not be troubled.

Love as the Way to Peace

In his teachings on love, Pope Shenouda III highlighted several practical points:

1. Love Is Sacrifice: True love is not just a feeling but an action. Just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her, we must be willing to sacrifice our comfort for the sake of others.
2. Love for Enemies: He often spoke on the commandment to love our enemies. He taught that by responding to hatred with love, we extinguish the fire of anger. Peace is maintained when we refuse to return evil for evil.
3. The Heart of Mercy: As noted in the homilies of the Fathers like St. Shenoute the Archimandrite, we must examine ourselves daily. Pope Shenouda taught that a heart filled with love is a heart that excuses others, seeks their comfort, and lives in humility.

A Practical Lesson

His Holiness would often counsel that if you want to live in peace:

• Do not be quick to take offense.
• Be the first to reconcile, even if you are not the one at fault.
• Pray for those who trouble you, as prayer changes the heart of the one praying as much as the one being prayed for.

In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, we conclude our prayers by asking for this peace, saying: "O King of Peace, grant us Your peace, establish for us Your peace, and forgive us our sins".

By following the path of love as taught by His Holiness, the believer becomes a lighthouse of peace in a world filled with turmoil.