Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
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I try to ask God or one of his saints to appear before me and to see them with my physical eyes. I prayed for the past week to see Him physically, but there was no response. What can I do about this?

To receive the greater blessing, one needs only to believe without seeing. Our Lord Jesus Christ revealed Himself to St. Thomas because of his [St. Thomas'] doubts and demands to witness firsthand for himself in order to believe, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29).

If you wish to truly see God, do acts of mercy. Pay close attention to the Holy Scripture in the Gospel according to St. Matthew 25 to gain a deeper understanding of what Christ the King expects in order to reveal Himself to anyone who wishes to see Him. 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." To those on His left, the Lord rebukes them for their blindness toward those in need, "'for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' "Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'" Thus, if you wish to see Christ, you will see Him in the faces of those whom you serve with love.

As for the apparition of saints, it is also a matter of faith that those who have reposed in the Lord are alive in the spirit in the Paradise of Joy with the righteous and the martyrs. Thus, we ask for their prayers, blessings, and intercessions. For what purpose do we benefit because of apparitions? Saints and angels are with all of us—the good and the bad. They are praying for us night and day that we may overcome all of life's challenges and struggles and repent and inherit eternal life.
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