My father passed away eight years ago, his life is a great inspiration to me and an example to many people. In memory of him this Father’s Day, I decided to digitize a book that represents the contributions of a few of the many people that knew Dr. Sameh A. Mitry, loved him, and were touched by him.

The Sam That We Knew (PDF) 45 MB
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An introduction to the book…

“The thankful man in his sickness is better than a hermit monk.” I heard this saying from one of the old monks while he was comforting a sick person. He said that it is from the wisdom of the desert fathers. This saying came to my mind from the first time I met with Dr. Sameh Mitry. When I saw his cheering spirit and loving and caring attitude, when I found no self-pity or an attitude of misfortune, I automatically considered him one of the contemporary saints.

And this is the idea behind this book. It answers tough questions like this: can a person live joyously although he is handicapped, weak or in pain? Can we find ourselves in the middle of tribulations? Can God use our weaknesses for His glory?

To tell you the truth I have read all these answers in the Bible, but they sounded like too much perfectionism for such an era of control and power. But I have seen and touched these answers through the saintly lives of people like Dr. Sameh. It is fitting to say that disability showed the beauty of Dr. Sameh’s inner person and
added to him more virtues, more respect and more crowns.

The life of Dr. Mitry is a sermon, a living Bible, a showcase of virtues. It is spiritual, encouraging, cheerful and exciting. It is an example of a true Christian, a faithful servant, a good husband and an unforgettable father.

May God strengthen his family and grant His Church with faithful servants like Dr. Mitry through the intercession of our Holy Mother St. Mary, the prayer of our intercessor St. Mark and the guidance of our honored father, H.H. Pope Shenouda III.

To Him is all glory, honor and worship from now to the end of all ages, Amen.

Fr. Bishoy Andrawes
St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Washington, DC

Not a man of words but always a man of action, words will never be enough to encompass all that he was, all that he is. My father was a man of many talents. He was a man who set the standards as a model husband, teacher, mentor, and guide. There wasn’t much he couldn’t do, but most importantly he was a true example of
a man who followed in Christ’s footsteps. He always did everything in honesty and goodwill and with a pure heart. Indeed it is written in Matthew 5:8: Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. My father was a man who is revered for his kindness, strength, and wisdom. He was a man who placed his focus forward on Christ. Let us unite our hearts with his and look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the coming age. Amen.

His son,
Andrew Mitry
9/15/00

A man lost something, not recently at all. He lost his perfect vision, his rhythmic hand, the nerves in his left leg, his strong back, his racquetball skills, and his walking ability, although not totally.

I lost sitting on his shoulders so high, riding bikes with him, going to the pool with him, going on long outings, and going on extremely hot or cold vacations. He has Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that affects the nerves. This disease has no cure yet and rarely occurs in Egyptians, which is his nationality.

Yet I try to look at the side that’s still there … his caring, kind, advisable, stubborn, strict, old-fashioned, knowledgeablemind, and his wide-ear to ear-pearl white grin, how he makes people laugh, his teaching ability, and his spirit. Best of all is his loving heart.

He has gained beautifully carved canes, and metal crutches, and a maroon scooter that he races down the street with me when I roller blade. This person is my extraordinary dad, an absolutely great person who will never leave my heart …

Your #1 daughter,
Mariam Mitry
12/25/93

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