The Problem of Anger
In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, I observed that the most frequent response was that of anger. President Francois Hollande, for example, vowed to destroy ISIS while the hacking cooperative Anonymous declared it would mercilessly hunt ISIS members down. It was anger that led the ISIS to attack France and now it is the French people’s turn to give in to anger and strike back, all while ISIS plots to strike – …
I don’t want to be ‘that guy’.
“He who walks with wise men becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Proverbs 13:20) So, it used to be that people had a group of friends from Church because they had things in common: their faith, their values, their heritage. You could count on your church crew to keep you in check when you felt like you were doing something, or at least, tempted to do, something wrong. In fact, often when – …
The Deeper the Sorrow, the Closer to God
The unprecedented terrorist attacks against innocent civilians in Paris today have left many with anguish, fear, and shock in their hearts. In the coming weeks and months, politicians and pundits will speak at great length about what happened and what the world needs to do to address the increase of terrorism throughout the world. I do not write in order to contribute to that discussion, but instead, I echo the Russian proverb, “The deeper the – …
Is Christianity Found on a Cup?
By now, most of us have heard about the recent controversy over Starbucks’ new solid red cups. It all began when Joshua Feurstein, an Evangelical pastor, posted a video about the new red cups, which he believes represents a war on Christ, Christianity, and Christmas. Prior cup designs featured Christmas themes, like snowflakes and reindeer, but this year’s cup is plain, which he finds problematic. His solution? Order a drink under the name “Merry Christmas” as – …
The Beautiful Gate of Nain
On the Fourth Sunday of the blessed Coptic month of Paopi, our Mother, the Holy Church, nourished us with the story of the Raising of the Son of the Widow of Nain in Luke 7:11-17: “And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was – …
New Parish to Serve Newport Beach and Costa Mesa Area
As the number of our Coptic Orthodox Church members Southern California has vastly increased, there is an increasing need for more space in various regions to continue the ministry of the Diocese of Los Angeles under the Auspices and leadership of His Grace Bishop Serapion. It is with God’s blessings and His Grace’s wisdom to establish a new parish in the Orange County area. The church is proposed to be in the Costa Mesa/Newport Beach – …
Let the Deacons Respond!
The Divine Liturgy is the most important activity in our Orthodox Christian lives. It is the time when the people of God, the ekklesia, stand before Him in reverence, worship Him and entreat His mercy, and receive Communion with Him for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Because of its importance, any changes to the Divine Liturgy must be studied with caution. I feel we are at the cusp of such a change relating – …
His Holiness Pope Tawadros Arrives in Atlanta
His Holiness Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark the Apostle, landed in the United States today and was greeted by several bishops and members of the clergy in Atlanta, including Bishop Serapion.His Holiness begins a three-week visit to various parts of the United States to meet with his children throughout the various dioceses and parishes as well as governments and religious leaders.God willing, he will arrive in Los – …
The Right to Really Die
On October 5, the Governor of California, Jerry Brown, signed a new law that confers what is known as the “right to die” upon people living in this state. The media has done an exceptionally good job in distorting the meaning of this law for Christians. The Associated Press, for example, is careful to note that Gov. Brown is a “lifelong Catholic and former Jesuit seminarian” who signed the law after discussing the issue with – …
Axios! Ordination of Father Beshoy Dawood at St. Demiana, Bakersfield
Axios! On Sunday, October 4, His Grace Bishop Serapion ordained Deacon Beshoy Dawood as a presbyter for the Diocese to serve at St. Demiana Church in Bakersfield along with the Reverend Hegumen Father Daniel Azer Sous. His Grace Bishop Serapion with Hegumen Fr. Daniel Azer Sous, Fr. Youhanna Farid, and the newly ordained Fr. Beshoy Dawood Father Beshoy will now travel to Egypt for his 40 day retreat at the Monastery of Abba Bishoy in – …
Cyprian, Justina, and our Relationship with Evil
At the end of the month of October every year, many Americans celebrate Halloween, a holiday that is oftentimes associated with the dead and the powers of darkness. There are, of course, defenders of Halloween who claim that it is fundamentally a wholesome holiday involving family, friends, and kids in cute costumes, but the reality is quite different. One cannot, for example, ignore the vampires, werewolves, monsters, ghosts, ghouls, and other things from the occult – …
Axios! Ordination of Deacon Beshoy Dawood
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad” (Ps 126:3). On Wednesday, September 30, 2015, His Grace Abba Serapion ordained Mr. Beshoy Dawood as a deacon in anticipation of his ordination as a presbyter on Sunday, October 4 to serve at St. Demiana Church in Bakersfield. Abba Serapion also ordained eight young cantors (Psaltos) to serve in the parish. May God bless their service and grant them the fruit of – …