Family

Sixth Annual Marital Enrichment Seminar for Newlyweds and Married Couples

Fr. Moses Samaan
| Saturday, November 27, 2010 | No comments.

Through the blessings and prayers of our beloved father, His Grace Bishop Serapion, the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles joyfully announces its 6th Annual Marital Enrichment Seminar on December 10-11, 2010 at St. Marina Coptic Orthodox Church in Irvine.

This retreat is designed specifically for married couples that seek guidance to improve their marriage in the context of the Orthodox Christian faith.

The suggested (but not mandatory) donation cost of this seminar is $10.00 per person, which includes meals, materials, and even babysitting during lecture times.

For complete information and registration, please see here.

If you are planning to attend, but have not registered yet, please notify at the following email address so that we may make the necessary arrangements: father.kyrillos@gmail.com.

To Husbands, on Maintaining Peace towards their Wives

Patrologia Græca, Vol. LI, cols. 363-372

Saint John Chrysostom
| Tuesday, April 13, 2010 | No comments.

1. I am very grateful to you for the eagerness with which you welcomed my words on prayer, because you have made me happy. Happy is he that speaketh in the ears of those who hearken (Ecclesiasticus 25:9). I am convinced of this, not only by the applause and praise that I received, but also by what I saw you doing. For, as I was exhorting you not to pray against your enemies and telling you that we irritate God by so doing, and legislate in opposition to Him (for, He Himself said, Pray for your enemies [cf. St. Matthew 5:44], and when we pray against our enemies, we demand that He abolish His own law); as, therefore, I was saying these things and the like, I saw many among you striking their faces and breasts, groaning bitterly and stretching their hands out to Heaven, asking forgiveness for having uttered such prayers. Then I, too, lifting up my eyes to Heaven, gave thanks to God that the word of my teaching had borne fruit for us so quickly.

Understanding the Process of Grief

Linda Abdelsayed
| Wednesday, December 23, 2009 | No comments.

Modern society is a “death denying and death-defying society”1. We speed along highways, eat fats and sugars to excess, overwork, smoke, pollute, and inject toxins into our faces all with the childish façade that death happens to other people. This is not to say that we ignore death – in fact it is constantly in our faces with up to the second media and technology reporting all the tragedies around the world. Yet, families seem to spend little time discussing death with each other. For instance, how often have we heard a friend of a bereaved person say “Do not talk to them about the loss – it will only upset him/her”?

It is in this larger context of ambiguity that one must suffer with the grief. Modern society often does not provide for awareness of recovery or support. This form of “institutionalized denial” 2 is fostered by the lack of education about bereavement, lack of faith, and unrealistic media.

Grief and Healing within the Family

Linda Abdelsayed
| Monday, December 14, 2009 | No comments.

All humans are influenced by their interactions with significant others throughout their lives. One’s social context helps people understand, organize, and define themselves and their situations. Thus it is common and natural that the loss of a significant other brings a great loss of one’s own identity and reality.

Diocese Welcomes His Grace Bishop Youssef to speak about "Egyptian Christians in America"

Fr. Moses Samaan
| Saturday, October 31, 2009 | No comments.

Family Planning

His Grace Bishop Serapion
| Friday, May 1, 2009 | No comments.

Family Planning means that the family plans to have children according to its economic and social conditions, as well as according to its ability to care for the children spiritually, economically, and socially. The family’s role is not limited only to having children, but more essentially to raising the children well.

The Love of Family

Sermon 105, Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, pp. 421-422

Saint Cyril of Alexandria
| Tuesday, December 2, 2008 | No comments.

Those who command warlike armies, and have won for themselves martial glory, whenever the time for battle has arrived, instruct the troops under their orders in what way, arraying themselves manfully against the phalanxes of the enemy, they will gain a triumphant victory. And the Savior of all, imitating the skillfulness of those here mentioned, very clearly shows unto all who would follow Him, the pathway of spiritual vigor; that advancing with unrestrainable impetuosity unto every triumph of piety, and exerting a stern and irresistible earnestness, they may win by a just decree the right of being with Him, and following Him.

"Bridging the Gap" New DVD Addressing Gap Between Youth & Parents

Fr. Moses Samaan
| Monday, September 1, 2008 | No comments.

Bridging the Gap is presented by the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California and Hawaii and produced by Television professionals under the auspices of His Grace Bishop Serapion. It is intended as an educational video describing the challenges and some proposed solutions to the many issues facing Coptic Orthodox families outside of Egypt as a result of immigration and
 acculturation.

The video includes interviews with clergy, professional psychologists, parents and youth within the diocese. The four primary areas of exploration are:

The Book of Exodus: Our Journey to Canaan

Father Bishoy Kamel (of blessed memory)
| Monday, July 14, 2008 | No comments.

Crossing the sea is baptism, the second birth. When a child is born, it does not mean he will live. Indeed, he needs a care program, of feeding (Manna- the body of the Lord), water (the side of Christ- the rock), guidance and leadership (the Holy Spirit) and faith that God is always present. Such a spiritual atmosphere provides the newborn child with continual growth, till he reaches Canaan.

Raising Children to be Children of God

His Grace Bishop Serapion
| Sunday, June 1, 2008 | No comments.

“Here am I and the Children Whom the Lord has given me.” (Is. 8:18)