Our Response to God's Love
The Church recently celebrated the 29th day of the Coptic month of Paopi. The 29th day of certain months in the Coptic calendar is very special, because the Church, in Her wisdom, commemorates the Feasts of the Annunciation, Nativity, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on these days. We have this commemoration on the 29th of every Coptic month with the exception of two months, Tuba and Meshir. When we think about these three – …
Diocese Congratulates His Holiness Pope Shenouda III on the 38th Anniversary of his Accession to the See of St. Mark
The Christ-loving Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii under the pastoral care of His Grace Bishop Serapion congratulates her beloved father, the Shepherd of Shepherds, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, Pope of the Great City of Alexandria and Patriarch of the Ancient See of St. Mark and all lands of emigration, on the 38th Anniversary of his accession to the Apostolic See of St. Mark. We have been blessed by your pastoral care – …
Premarital Couples Retreat – December 13, 2009
The Diocese joyfully announces its annual Pre-Marital Couples Retreat from Friday, December 11 to Sunday, December 13 at the Coptic Village in Big Bear Lake. This retreat is intended for Christian couples seeking enrichment before their marriage and comprised of a series of lectures, discussions, and workshops led by the Hegumen Father Gawargious Kolta. Topics include: The Christian Concept of Marriage The Engagement Period Premarital Questionnaire Eight Important Factors in a Strong Marriage Necessity of – …
The Departure of St. Peter III, the 27th Pope of Alexandria (Hatoor 2/November 11)
On this day in the year 481 A.D., the Great Saint Abba Peter III, 27th Pope of Alexandria, departed. He was chosen patriarch after the departure of St. Timothy, 26th Pope. Shortly after his enthronement upon the apostolic throne, he received a letter from St. Acacius, Patriarch of Constantinople, confessing in it the one nature of Christ, according to the faith of St. Cyril and St. Dioscorus. He also stated clearly that it is not – …
Diocese Welcomes His Grace Bishop Youssef to speak about "Egyptian Christians in America"
The Diocese joyfully announces the upcoming visit of His Grace Bishop Youssef, the Coptic Orthodox Bishop of the Southern United States, in which His Grace will present a lecture entitled "Living Between Two Worlds: Egyptian Christians in America" on December 1 at Claremont Graduate University from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. From the university’s promotional material: Culture consists of socially acquired information through beliefs, values, knowledge, ideas, etc. that impact one’s behavior and attitude especially in – …
9th Annual SCOBA/SCOOCH United Nations Prayer Service
On Monday, October 26, 2009, the Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops in America (SCOBA) and the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches (SCOOCH) held their 9th Annual Joint Vespers Prayer service for the United Nations Community. Presiding over the Vespers prayer was the Eastern Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch His All Holiness Bartholomew, who welcomed assembled Hierarchs (including His Grace Bishop David of the Coptic Orthodox Church), clergy, ambassadors, and dignitaries of the United Nations Diplomatic Corps – …
Diocese Youth Missionary Trip to Hawaii 2010
The Diocese joyfully announces its annual Youth Missionary Trip to Hawaii from June 30 to July 12, 2010 under the guidance of His Grace Bishop Serapion, who will participate in the missionary trip. Participants work among homeless children and their families. All of the Lord’s brethren served in this mission are invited to the parish church in Honolulu for a meal and a lecture about the faith. In addition, participants are enriched by daily liturgies, Bible studies, – …
Diocese Servants Enriched by Their Graces Bishop Serapion and Bishop Youssef
On October 3, 2009, the servants of the Diocese were blessed with a general meeting with Their Graces Bishop Serapion and Bishop Youssef at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Los Angeles. After celebrating the Divine Liturgy and an agape meal, His Grace Bishop Youssef spoke about "The Present Challenges to the Service," which include: The abundance of sin; Distractions; Suffering and blame; and Rituality and spirituality. His Grace thoroughly explained and discussed the meaning – …
The Entry of St. Severus, Patriarch of Antioch, into Egypt (October 12/Paopi 2)
On the second day of the Coptic month of Paopi, the Coptic Orthodox Church commemorates the entry of St. Severus, Patriarch of Antioch, into Egypt in the days of Eustinos the Emperor. This Emperor opposed the Orthodox belief, following that of the council of Chalcedon. However Queen Theodora, his wife, was an Orthodox and she loved St. Severus because of his Christian virtues and his true faith. The Emperor called him one day and many – …
Pastoral Message to the Congregation of St. John Church in West Covina
On October 4, 2009, His Grace Bishop Serapion delivered a pastoral message to the congregation of St. John Coptic Orthodox Church in West Covina. The audio message may played using the link below or downloaded here.
A Contemporary Crossbearer: The Late Father Pishoy Kamel
As Coptic Orthodox Christians, we celebrate the Feast of the Cross twice a year, on September 27 and March 19. For all of us, the Life-Giving Cross must play a pivotal role in our lives. Therefore, we felt it is apropos to present a brief glimpse into the life of a contemporary cross-bearer, the late Fr. Pishoy Kamel Is’hak, whose departure we commemorate on March 21st. It is not coincidental that his departure was on – …
Joint Meeting of the Hierarchs and Clergy of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in Southern California
On Thursday, September 24, the hierarchs and clergy of the Coptic Orthodox Church under our beloved father, His Grace Bishop Serapion, the Armenian Apostolic Church of America under His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, and the Syriac Orthodox Church under His Eminence Archbishop Clemis Eugene Kaplan convened for a joint celebration of the Mystery of the Eucharist followed by a spiritual meeting. The event, which took place at St. Mary and St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church in – …