Perfected in the Faith

Perfected in the Faith is a book of the lives of the saints created by the youth of St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church in Sydney, Australia, for everyone who wants to be inspired on their own journey of faith.

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

From biblical saints to patriarchs to monks and everyone in between, the book gives a detailed yet concise account of each saint's life and how they helped build the Church we know and love today. This "cloud of witnesses" encourages us by their example, both their faults and their triumphs, and proves that God was present in their lives and that we too can grow close to Him here on earth.

We remember the saints as Jesus taught us, when He said of the woman who anointed Him at Bethany: "Wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her" (Matthew 26:13). The aim of this memorial is to help us look "unto Jesus", His endurance of the Cross and His victory, which He promises to us too.

The Book of Acts does not end with "amen"; it continues in the life of the Church and her saints. The list of saints is not complete, and you are called to be one of them. That is why the last page of this book is left blank: for you, your name and your life's story.

Book details

• Author: St Mark's Church, Sydney, Australia
• Format: Printed book, 5.5 x 8.5 in
• Published: 2020, St Shenouda Press
• ISBN: 9780648865810