Ordination of Archdeacon Moses
On Saturday, December 26, 2009, at St. Maurice Coptic Orthodox Church, His Grace Bishop Serapion ordained the blessed servant, Paul Saman, as an Archdeacon for the Diocese of Los Angeles to continue his service at St. Demiana Coptic Orthodox Church in San Diego. Participating in the Divine Liturgy were the reverend Hegumen Fr. Mina Wahba Youssef, Hegumen Fr. Michael Gabriel, Fr. Shenouda Ghattas, Fr. John Paul Abdelsayed, Fr. David Abdelsayed, and Fr. Daniel Habib. Also, – …
Understanding the Process of Grief
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 – …
The Nurse of Hope: Patience in Tribulations
The blessed prophet David shows that those who put their trust in God were most courageous when he says, “Act like men and let your hearts be strong, all you who hope in the Lord” (Ps. 31:24, LXX). For those plants which are in pleasure gardens both increase, bloom, and are raised to a great height by abundant streams of waters. And a man’s soul, by the comforts and encouragements of the Holy Spirit, becomes – …
Grief and Healing within the Family
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. The loss of a person who has been so important in defining one’s self and environment leads a person to grief. The absence of this relationship – …
Grand Opening of Archangel Raphael Church Building
On December 7, 2009, His Grace Bishop Serapion and several diocesan priests celebrated the grand opening of the new church building at Archangel Raphael Coptic Orthodox Church in Palmdale, California. His Grace was joined by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan, the Patriarchal Vicar of the Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of the Western United States and several dignitaries, including: Mr. Norm Hickling, Field Agent for Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovitch Mr. Isaac Barcelona, Representative – …
The Blessed Month of Kiahk
The Coptic Orthodox Church honors the Holy Theotokos Saint Mary many times throughout the year. The Coptic month of Kiahk is one such time in which the Church venerates Saint Mary in the context of commemorating our Lord Jesus Christ’s incarnation and glorious birth. This time of year is precious, because it focuses believers on the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. This month reminds us why the Lord chose Saint Mary to be His – …
Two Ways of Suffering
People react quite differently when confronting suffering. Some cry out in anger; others rebel in frustration. Another might seek scapegoat to vent his frustrations. A fourth might instead abandon the way of purity and righteousness, and decide to live a life of pleasure and lust, feeling almost justified to lust for his light affliction. St. Cyril of Alexandria explains that the entire purpose of the Incarnation was for our Beloved, Lord Christ was to save – …
Who is the Orthodox Servant?
On November 29, 2009, servants of the churches in the southern region of the Diocese gathered at St. Mary and St. Verena Coptic Orthodox Church in Anaheim for a Servants’ Meeting. His Grace Bishop Serapion opened the meeting with a prayer followed by a lecture entitled "Who is the Orthodox Servant?" This lecture addressed stereotypes concerning practices and attitudes in the service that are considered Orthodox and not Orthodox. His Grace taught the gathering that – …
Diocese Newlywed & Marital Enrichment Retreat – December 4, 2009
Through the blessings and prayers of our beloved father H.G. Bishop Serapion, the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles joyously presents its biannual Marital Enrichment Retreat. This retreat is designed specifically for couples who have been married less than seven years. Speakers include Dr. Yousry Armanious and Dr. Nabil N. Soliman. Babysitting will be provided during all lectures. For more information, please see this attached flyer. Newlywed Flier 12-09.pdf354.2 KB
A Sower Went Out to Sow
On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some – …
Register Now for the College Winter Retreat
The Diocese joyfully announces its annual College Winter Retreat Monday, December 28 through Wednesday, December 30. From the promotional material: It’s about that time of year again for the 2009 College Winter Retreat. This year’s retreat will cover a topic which is guaranteed to be close to the hearts of all Christians seeking to reach greater depth in their relationship with their Savior. The topic that we will cover is concerning how we can deepen – …
Serve Part-Time as an English Teacher in Upper Egypt
El Quosia is a province of Assiut in Upper Egypt which lies 325 km south of Cairo. It is a poverty-stricken province where employment, clean water, electricity, good education, and health care are scarce. Approximately more than three quarters of the population live with an income that places them at or below the poverty line. (The poverty line represents an income of 200 L.E. per month, roughly $40 U.S. Dollars) Since His Grace Bishop Thomas – …