On the first anniversary of the departure of H.H. Pope Shenouda III, we would like to present to you a collection of books written by His Holiness which contains His contemplations on Holy Week. This book is made up of five different booklets that His Holiness published in different years. This book takes you through the events of this great and holy week and helps the reader to participate in every step of Christ's passions. This book first appeared in the late sixties in the Arabic language and has since been reprinted many times. It consists of five booklets that have been combined into one book. Perhaps contemplations on the Holy Week of Pascha needs many more books as it is the holiest week in the year, filled with great spiritual memories which are impossible to gather in one book. Contemplations on the Holy Week of Pascha are suitable at any time of the year, as the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation of our Christian faith. We remember the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ every day in the sixth hour prayer of the Agpya. Therefore, we present these contemplations in your hands and also pray deep in your hearts.

Pope Shenouda draws upon his many years of contemplation as a monk in the ancient desert of Scetis, Egypt to develop his commentary on the human soul. A true Alexandrian father, descendent from Sts. Athanasius, Clement and Cyril, His Holiness employs the Song of Songs to provide the blueprint of our quest for love and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. The book is a translation and transcription of a lecture series given by Pope Shenouda in the 1970s. As a lecture series, it draws one in as if His Holiness were conversing directly with the reader. The imagery that prevails invokes the mind to travel to Egypt to visit with this desert monk. He encourages the reader to share in his prayers, asks the reader questions, and invites us to join him on his journey of discovering the soul. The main focus of the book is to meditate on the human soul while she searches for her Beloved. It is only with an understanding of our spirituality that we may embark on our voyage leading to our Lord.