A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on the Gospels

The Breaths of God

By Michael Stefanos · Published by Doss Press

The Breaths of God, Volume I: Matthew
Volume I

Matthew

The Gospel According to Matthew · twenty-eight chapters.

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“A series borne out of a longing to equip Coptic Orthodox Christians with a resource by which to deeply encounter the living word of God under the light of the mind and practice of the Church.” — Doss Press

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The Breaths of God, Volume II: Mark
Volume II

Mark

The Gospel According to Mark · sixteen chapters.

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About the Series

The Breaths of God commentaries on Scripture were written with the desire to help our Coptic Orthodox youth engage deeply with the living word of God through the mind of the Church. Each passage of Scripture is approached in a way that unites faithful scholarship with the life of prayer and tradition. My hope is not simply to explain the text, but to also help the reader encounter Christ within it — to see how His voice continues to speak through every word of the Gospel.

To make the reading experience both clear and spiritually enriching, each passage is explored through several interconnected sections:

Ancient Context
Provides the cultural and historical background that sheds light on the world in which the text was first received. It draws from biblical scholarship and historical sources to help readers see how the events and words of Scripture unfolded within their original setting.
Patristic Perspective
Here we listen to the timeless voices of our holy Church Fathers, who have faithfully interpreted the Scriptures within the life of the Church. Their wisdom roots our understanding in the Orthodox Tradition and reminds us that we read the Bible not as individuals apart, but as members of the living Body of Christ.
Spiritual Application
Seeks to bring the text from the mind to the heart. It offers contemplations and reflections that invite us to live the Gospel personally — to let the word of God transform our lives, shape our thoughts, and draw us nearer to our Lord Jesus Christ.

— Michael Stefanos, About the Series

From the Author

It has long been my dream that our Coptic Orthodox youth might have a commentary readily available and easily accessible — one that speaks in their language and faithfully reflects the mind of the Church; that is, the mind (φρόνηµα) of Christ. The idea for this series first began many years ago when I was still in high school, and it remained with me as I began to serve in my parish.

I noticed that whenever our youth came across a Bible verse they did not understand, they would often turn to Google, AI tools, or even Wikipedia. In many cases, this only led to greater confusion or exposure to interpretations contrary to our Orthodox tradition. And so, the voice of the Lord continually stirred within my heart the conviction that our beautiful Church must offer her children a trustworthy source where they can encounter sound Orthodox teaching.

Of course, I am by no means the first to undertake such a work in the modern era of our Coptic Church. I am simply walking in the footsteps of my beloved teacher and inspiring role model, Fr. Tadros Y. Malaty, to whom I wholeheartedly dedicate this work. I claim no innovation of my own, for I have merely gathered from the labor of many — those devoted biblical commentators who have toiled in study, and our holy Church Fathers who have laboured in prayer and preserved the Orthodox Tradition with faithfulness and love.

— Michael Stefanos, from the Preface

About this Edition

This site is the author’s digital companion to the printed Breaths of God volumes, both published as open-access editions by Doss Press. Verses, passages, commentary, and footnotes are searchable directly. Scripture is reproduced from the New King James Version (NKJV) as quoted in the books.