By
Shoebat
Father Zakaria Botross Henien (1934-). Coptic Orthodox Priest and warrior for Christ.
Recently, I had the pleasure of receiving in the mail, this biography of Father Zakaria Botross, a Coptic Orthodox priest that has a bounty of US$60,000,000 placed on his head by Muslim terrorist groups and their sympathisers throughout the whole of the Middle East. The simple reason for this bounty: being successful in leading many Muslims to apostatise from Islam to accept the Lord Jesus Christ, first through showing up the most horrendous behaviours of Muhammad as well as Islam directly from Qu’ran, Hadiths and Arabic Muslim resources before showing them the way of Christ. Previously, I had heard much about this man but never before had I seen it from the viewpoint of those who knew him best, namely, his son, Peter Botross.
This book was more than just a biographical read. It was an inspiration for those who not only face Islam on a daily basis in its most adverse form, but also an inspiration to those who are seeking for hope in the face of it all. Enter the story of Feyez Botross Henien, born in 1934. A boy born to a Coptic family in Egypt that hoped his life would be one of academia in either English teaching or as a professor, only to be changed dramatically by not only witnessing the martyrdom of his elder brother by the Muslim Brotherhood at a young age, but also was intent on finding the way to please God for the whole of his life. Not only did he become a priest in 1959, he also married Violet and had 3 children thereafter. Feyez Botross Henien would now be known as Father Zakaria Botross in honour of both the biblical Zechariah/Zakaria as well as a monk in the Coptic Church that so impressed the Coptic Pope many centuries ago, that he was asked to pray to God on behalf of this Pope. He studied the Holy Scriptures and Fathers of the Church for a number of years in the hope of finding the way to be right with God and through the sermon of one of the Church Fathers, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, he understood the significance of the crucifixion of Christ and how it would open the doors of heaven for him. This changed his outlook forever and he thus sought to live in gratitude to the Lord and Saviour Who died for him and rose from the dead to give him eternal life.
However, the real challenge in the life of Father Zakaria Botross begins with not only his establishing of a local church congregation in a certain area in Egypt, but also in his preaching to both Coptic Christians and even to Muslims too. In fact, Muslims came to Father Zakaria Botross due to the working of God through him in both preaching the Word of God faithfully but even performing exorcisms on Muslims who were devil-possessed as well as even baptizing them. This would eventually attract the ire of Muslim government officials who would make use of the law of the land, that forbids Muslims from apostatizing from Islam let alone receiving baptism in the Church. In fact, due to constant attacks of Muslims made against the Christian Faith, Father Zakaria Botross wrote many books in defense of the Christian Faith. One of those famous books which would eventually be used against him by the Egyptian government was none other than: God is One in the Trinity. The year 1981 finally came, which was the year that not only brought about the sudden arrest of Father Zakaria Botross, but also the assassination of then President of Egypt, Anwar Sadat. He was not alone too. A number of Coptic clergy, including bishops and priests as well as monks were also rounded up in gaol, with the pretext of “internal security matters” just prior to the assassination of Sadat. He spent a number of years in gaol, and had endured mistreatment from some guards, fear of possible execution hanging over his head along with constant interrogation over his books and ministry. In addition to this, the family constantly was struggling without the father to make ends meet. Finally, he was released from gaol and was transferred by approval of the Coptic Pope, Pope Shenouda III, to Melbourne, Australia, along with his family members in 1989. Although God blessed his ministry tremendously in St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Melbourne, Australia, he was to be transferred again 1992 to England, to administer to war-torn refugees from Sudan in England that had fled a brutal Islamist government. Despite all the efforts he had put into building the Church in England, and even leading a Saudi Muslim to Christ as well as baptising the man before he was martyred in his own country, he experienced quite a lot of backbiting and backstabbing from new, young bishops as well as lukewarm and recalcitrant church members from Sudan and was finally transferred out of England into USA by 2003, where hence he currently resides.
Whilst in USA, Father Zakaria Botross was able to do what he has always wanted to do besides love Christ freely, and that was to lead Muslims out of darkness into the marvelous light of Christ. Back in 1999, it was already suggested to Father Zakaria Botross to establish a chat room whereby he could not only defend the Christian Faith, but expose from Islamic sources, the errors and evils of Islam, before leading many to faith in Christ. Naturally, he was met with a lot of opposition and death threats from Muslims, even to this present day. Nevertheless, the blessings outweigh the burdens and many Muslims who in the beginning were hostile, not only investigated the truth of what Father Zakaria Botross had to state regarding Islam, but also accepted the Lord Jesus Christ by faith. This would eventually lead him to establish an Arabic broadcasting satellite station known as Al-Hayat, whereby not only would Islam be exposed from the sources but also the truth of Christ would be presented too. In fact, all across the Islamic world including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Algeria and others, there would be letters of not only Muslims having genuine questions about the Christian Faith, but even many Muslims from these lands apostatising from Islam altogether and thanking Christ for bringing Al-Hayat Ministries into existence. To this very day, Father Zakaria Botross is operating this station and due to security reasons, lives in an undisclosed area in USA to continue his work of exposing Islam and leading Muslims to faith in Christ.
I now wish to conclude my review with both a link to a number of Father Zakaria Botross’ written works as well as some video clips of his work for the benefit of all. God bless.
Here is a brief article whereby Father Zakaria Botross states regarding Islam: “I hate Islam. I hate the doctrines of Islam. Because they are Satanic doctrines.” and also: “My intention is to save Muslims. Actually I love Muslims as much as I hate Islam.” In it, the US $60,000,000 bounty is mentioned and stems from Al-Qaeda.
http://fox40.com/2014/11/30/local-church-hosts-one-of-al-qaedas-most-wanted/
Father Zakaria Botross’ works from his books and his interviews can all be found here:
http://www.fatherzakaria.net/
Here is one of Father Zakaria Botross’ works whereby he exposes the peverse sexual deviant behaviour of Muhammad, the “prophet” of Islam:
https://www.jihadwatch.org/2009/01/father-zakaria-botros-on-the-perverse-sexual-habits-of-the-prophet-part-iii
Here is one video where not only does Father Zakaria Botros refutes one of Ahmad Deedat’s distortions of the Holy Scriptures, but also exposes Muhammad’s deviant behaviour:
Another video where Muhammad’s disgusting behaviour is exposed:
https://youtu.be/MXSMmtp0g4Q
Father Zakaria Botros is interviewed by Michael Coren whereby he is pointed out as the Public Enemy of Islam #1:
Father Zakaria Botros defends the Trinity here:
https://youtu.be/sYCXyIOJ8dM
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