Our Story: Chapter 1: Beginnings
Let me tell you a story. It’s a long story, though. It’s going to be told in more than one part because you probably won’t be able to hear all of it today. It’s a beautiful story, but it’s also a sad story. The good thing, though, is that the story is not actually over, and a happy ending is very possible. Actually, the happy ending is preferred, and you will find out that you – …
Let Me Tell You a Story: Preface
The following is an excerpt from Yann Martel’s, Life of Pi, when the protagonist has finished telling his extraordinary tale of survival: “If you stumble at mere believability, what are you living for? Isn’t love hard to believe?” “Mr. Patel–” “Don’t you bully me with your politeness! Love is hard to believe, ask any lover. Life is hard to believe, ask any scientist. God is hard to believe, ask any believer. What is your problem with hard – …
Pastoral Message Concerning Atef Aziz
The Coptic Orthodox hierarchs of North America, including Metropolitan Serapion, have published an important Pastoral Message concerning the heretical movement of Atef Aziz, who has taken shelter within the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church in America. Please read the statement and exercise caution against this new heresy. Pastoral Message Concerning Atef Aziz
New Parish in South Orange County: St. John Chrysostom American Coptic Orthodox Church
Christ is risen! It is with much joy that we formally announce the opening of St. John Chrysostom’s American Coptic Orthodox Church in South Orange County! Through humility and love, we seek to bring people before Jesus Christ, with the steadfast teachings and life of the True Coptic Orthodox Faith. Save the Date! His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion, Bishop of Los Angeles and Metropolitan of Southern California and Hawaii of the Coptic Orthodox Church, will pray the inaugural – …
New Rules for the 2016 Mahragan Al Keraza
Christ is risen! Truly He is Risen! This year the Keraza 2016 NEW system for testing is changed, we will implement regional Spiritual & Coptic testing this year, THE WEEK OF July 29,30,31 as follows: We will have 7 regions with 7 proposed test centers (see the proposed structure), so participating churches will have a reasonable driving distance and shorter time at the test centers (our goal is that each church should not spend more – …
Ordination of New Presbyter for the St. Paul Brotherhood
On Saturday, May 7, the blessed servant, Archdeacon Macarius Paul, will be ordained as a presbyter to continue his life of celibate service in the St. Paul Brotherhood. The ordination will take place, God willing, at St. Maurice Church in Pomona with the Divine Liturgy commencing at 9:00 a.m.
His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion Receives Clergy and Dignitaries for the Feast of the Resurrection 2016
As part of the Diocese’s celebration of the Glorious Feast of the Resurrection 2016, His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion received clergy and dignitaries at the diocesan headquarters in Los Angeles on May 1, 2016. Among the esteemed guests were clergy from around the Diocese who came from the various parishes with their families, bearing greetings to His Eminence on this most auspicious occasion. In addition, His Eminence joyfully welcomed Her Excellency, Ambassador Lamia Mekhimar, the Consul – …
Paschal Letter for the Glorious Feast of the Resurrection 2016
Your Joy No One Will Take From You (Jn. 16:22) رسالة عيد القيامة المجيد 2016 My Beloved, the Blessed Children of the Holy Church, Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! It is my pleasure to wish all of you a joyous Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. The Resurrection of Christ grants us everlasting joy, as our Lord Jesus Christ promised His disciples, “Therefore you now – …
Excused Absence Letter for Holy Pascha 2016
As a service to parents and families who would like to spend the holy days of Covenant Thursday and Great Friday together in their respective parishes, the Diocese is offering the following attached Excuse Absence Letter to submit to teachers and schools. Excused Absence Letter – Pascha 2016
Remembering Abouna Fanous…
The recent passing of several giants has grieved me. There were the passings of Fathers Feltaous and Mettaous of the Syrian Monastery, then the passing of Anba Mikhail of Assiut. These and others, to me, symobolise the ending of a great era, a loss of giants. Hearing the news of Abouna Fanous el Anba Bola today, only added to this feeling. With every passing generation, I fear, humanly, that there’s a rich tradition that dies with them. I feel that there – …
His Eminence Speaks at Southern Region Servants’ Meeting
On Sunday, April 10, 2016, His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion addressed a group of servants from around the Southern Region of the Diocese (including Orange County, San Diego, and surrounding areas) at their bimonthly meeting. His Eminence’s lecture, “The Spiritual Growth of a Servant”, discussed the dynamic nature of the spiritual life and its goal and direction: perfection in Christ. It also provided practical advice for growth in loving those whom we serve, growth in our – …
2016 GYP Lent Retreat Schedule
Written by admin on April 11, 2016. Posted in Retreats Friday, April 15th 7:00 pm: Registration 8:00 pm: Dinner 9:00 pm: Ice-Breaker 9:30 pm: Introduction & Lecture #1 10:30 pm: Break 11:00 pm: Midnight Praises Saturday, April 16th 7:30 am: Quiet Time #1 8:00 am: Breakfast 9:00 am: Morning Prayers 9:30 am: Ice Breaker 10:00 am: Lecture #2 11:00 am: Quiet Time #2 12:00 pm: Lunch & Free Time 3:30 pm: Lecture #3 4:30 pm: – …