Diocese News

Ordination of a Fr. Cyril Gorgy for St. Mark Church in Los Angeles

Fr. Moses Samaan
| Saturday, January 14, 2012 | No comments.

With great joy, the Diocese announces the ordination of a new priest on Sunday, January 15, 2012 to serve in the Diocese at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Los Angeles.

Emad Gorgy was ordained as Deacon Cyril on Saturday, January 14, 2012 and ordained as Fr. Cyril on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church through the laying of hands by His Grace Bishop Serapion.

He will spend his 40 days of fasting and preparation for the service at St. Pishoy Monastery in Wadi El Natroun, Egypt.

We pray that the Lord may grant the new presbyter the gift of the Holy Spirit and bless his service for many years.

Bishop Serapion Attends Reception for Newly Elevated Antiochian Orthodox Archbishop Joseph

Fr. Moses Samaan
| Thursday, January 12, 2012 | No comments.

On Sunday, January 8, His Grace Bishop Serapion attended a service and reception at St. Nicholas Cathedral honoring the Antiochian Orthodox Archbishop Joseph (Zehlaoui) who was elevated to the rank of Archbishop by His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatius IV on December 11, 2011.

Archbishop Joseph is the hierarch of the Antiochian Orthodox Diocese of the West.

On behalf of the Diocese, Bishop Serapion relayed congratulations and wishes for a long and blessed service to the newly elevated Archbishop.

Photos of the reception are available here.

Now Available: "More than Just Sports" DVD

Fr. Moses Samaan
| Tuesday, December 20, 2011 | No comments.

Participating in sports activites is not only about physical gain. It’s about teaching our youth life lessons and mainly about building their psychological and spiritual strength and experience.

“More Than Just Sports” presents the real benefits behind playing sports. Prepared and presented by Fr. James Soliman and produced in a professional, energetic pace, this video is a wonderful educational tool for all family members.

To order your DVD, please send a check or money order for a suggested donation of $ 11.00 payable to:

Holy Virgin Mary Church
P.O. Box 1896
Glendale, CA 91209

Ordination of a New Priest for Archangel Michael Church in Santa Ana

Fr. Moses Samaan
| Saturday, November 26, 2011 | No comments.

With great joy, the Diocese announces the ordination of a new priest on Sunday, November 27, 2011 to serve in the Diocese at Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church in Santa Ana.

The candidate, Habeeb Hanna, was ordained Deacon Maurice Hanna on Friday, November 25 at St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church by His Grace Bishop Serapion. Attending this blessed event were several priests from the Diocese and many faithful who came to take the blessing of St. Mina’s Feast and witness the ordination of Deacon Maurice.

God willing, Deacon Maurice will be ordained a presbyter on Sunday, November 27 at Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church through the laying of hands by His Grace Bishop Serapion and His Grace Bishop Youssef of the Diocese of the Southern United States. He will spend his 40 days of fasting and preparation for the service at St. Pishoy Monastery in Wadi El Natroun, Egypt.

Joint Declaration of the Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches (November 14, 2011)

Fr. Moses Samaan
| Thursday, November 17, 2011 | No comments.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, H.H. Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, H.H. Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Orthodox Church and H.H. Abuna Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, give thanks to God for bringing us together here in Cairo, Egypt, on Monday, 14 November 2011, to pray together and to reflect together on matters and concerns pertaining to our Churches and the Oriental Orthodox Family in general. We were accompanied by metropolitans, archbishops and bishops of our Churches.

Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation Issues Statement "On the Plight of Churches in the Middle East"

Fr. Moses Samaan
| Monday, November 14, 2011 | No comments.

The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation held its 81st meeting at St Paul’s College in Washington October 27-28. The meeting was chaired by Catholic Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans. The Eastern Orthodox co-chairman since 1987, Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh, has retired, and a successor has not yet been named.

During this meeting the members heard reports about major events in the lives of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches and issued a brief statement, “On the Plight of Churches in the Middle East.”

George Washington University Survey of Copts in the Diaspora

Fr. Moses Samaan
| Thursday, November 10, 2011 | No comments.

The Diocese encourages all her children to participate in a study of Copts living outside of Egypt through the following survey. Please review carefully the message below from GWU Professor Jennifer Brinkerhoof.

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Given current events in Egypt it is more important than ever that thevoice of the Copts living in diaspora (outside of Egypt) is heard. 

George Washington University, in conjunction with Coptic Orphans, is conducting the first large scale survey of the Coptic Diaspora (Copts living outside of Egypt). The study will make Copts more visible in religious, academic, andpolitical discussions involving Egypt and the Middle East. It will show just how significant Copts’ financial, philanthropic, andvolunteer involvement in Egypt really is. 

Register to Vote in Egyptian Elections

Fr. Moses Samaan
| Thursday, November 10, 2011 | No comments.

The Diocese is encouraging all Copts with an Egyptian National ID or new Egyptian passport to register to vote in the upcoming 2011 Egyptian Election. 

The Egyptian election committee decided that Egyptians living abroad can share in the upcoming election using either with their National ID number or with their new passport which includes the national ID number.

In order to vote, you will need to register at the following website between November 10-17, 2011: http://www.elections2011.eg/.

May the Lord remember His people, Egypt.

7th Annual Marital Enrichment Seminar

Fr. Moses Samaan
| Saturday, November 5, 2011 | No comments.

Through the blessing of our beloved father, His Grace Bishop Serapion, the Diocese proudly announces the 7th Annual Marital Enrichment Seminar.

Please see the attached flyer for details.

Bishop Serapion Participates in the Ordination of a New Priest for Houston

Fr. Moses Samaan
| Monday, October 31, 2011 | No comments.

On Sunday, October 30, 2011, the blessed servant Marc Gendi was ordained as Fr. James, a presbyter for St. Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church in Houston, Texas by His Grace Bishop Youssef and His Grace Bishop Serapion. Also attending this blessed event from the Diocese was Fr. Moses Samaan from St. Demiana Church in San Diego.

His Grace Bishop Serapion was received warmly by His Grace Bishop Youssef and all of the servants in the Houston area, reflecting the great love between the hierarchs and these dioceses serving the United States.

On behalf of the Christ-loving Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii, we congratulate His Grace Bishop Youssef and the priest and congregation of St. Mary Church, and pray that the Lord may bless Fr. James’ service and grant him the fruit of the Holy Spirit.