Message of Greeting for Independence Day – July 4, 2020
To the Blessed Clergy and Congregations of the Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii, Greetings in the Lord! As we commemorate Independence Day, we reflect on the blessings of liberty and opportunity we have received in the United States of America. On this day, we offer our thanksgiving to God as well as our gratitude to the Founding Fathers and forbears who nobly labored and sacrificed to safeguard the blessings of liberty and – …
In Celebration of Juneteenth
Today, we the Coptic Orthodox faithful celebrate the 155th observance of Juneteenth and lift our voices to emphatically condemn all racism, racial superiority, racial insensitivity, aggression and anti-Black violence. Juneteenth is the oldest known commemoration of the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865 by General Gordon Granger, almost two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation proclamation on January 1, 1863. Six months later, the – …
Paschal Message for the Glorious Feast of the Resurrection 2020
“Peace be with you” (Jn 20:19) My Beloved, the Blessed Children of the Holy Church, Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! As we celebrate the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, we rejoice and our hearts are full of gladness. The Resurrection of Christ is victory over death, because “by death He trampled death, and upon those in the tomb He bestowed eternal life.” The Resurrection of Christ is victory – …
Festal Message for the Feast of the Nativity 2020
It is my pleasure to wish all of you a blessed Feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ came to us, and He invites us to go to Him, for He is the Good Shepherd, Who sacrifices Himself for His flock, and through His love and compassion, attracts everyone to Himself. The Coptic Orthodox Church is the Church of Christ, and in Her pastoral ministry, the Church – …
Festal Letter for the Feast of the Nativity 2019
My Beloved, the Blessed Children of the Holy Church, It is my pleasure to wish all of you a blessed Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. We rejoice in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Who has manifested to us the mystery of God’s humility, love, and He constantly seeks our salvation. St. Paul the Apostle explained that the Word, the Son of God, “Who, being in the – …