Festal Letter for the Feast of the Nativity 2014
My Beloved, the Blessed Children of the Holy Church, It is my pleasure to wish all of you a joyous Feast of the Nativity of our God, Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ, Who came to our world to save us from bondage to sin, to rule over our hearts, and to help us enter into His Heavenly Kingdom. The Wise Men, who came to see the Divine Baby in Bethlehem, were the first fruits of – …
Marital Enrichment Seminar: Marriage 911
Through the blessings and prayers of our beloved father, His Grace Bishop Serapion, the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles and the Santa Monica Family Education committee joyously presents this annual seminar for married couples to help enrich their marriage and family life by bringing them closer to the Lord, and to each other. This year’s seminar will be held on January 25, 2014 at St. Marina Church in Irvine. Featured speakers will be Fr. – …
My Soul Magnifies the Lord
On Sunday, the Church began the third week of the blessed Coptic month of Kiahk with the account of the blessed visit of the Holy Virgin St. Mary to her relative, St. Elizabeth. We heard how the Holy Virgin St. Mary arose quickly in the days after the annunciation of our Lord Jesus Christ and went to one of the cities of Judah, to the house of St. Zacharias the priest and his wife, St. Elizabeth, – …
Communiqué on Upcoming Egyptian National Referendum
As the national referendum on the new Constitution of Egypt approaches, the Diocese wishes to inform her children of the following. First, every Coptic Orthodox Christian eligible to participate in the referendum should do so. Our Lord Jesus Christ commanded us to “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt 22:21). Christians should therefore be diligent in their political responsibilities as good citizens. Second, the Diocese – …
First Liturgy at New Missionary Parish in West Los Angeles
Glory to God! The Diocese announces the opening of the new missionary parish, Holy Resurrection American Coptic Orthodox Church, with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, December 8, 2013 from 8:00-10:30 a.m. Like St. Paul Church in Tustin, Holy Resurrection Church is a missionary parish focused on serving non-Egyptians and mixed couples and guiding them in the sweet richness of the Coptic Orthodox faith. The parish is presently located at: [ba-column size=”one-half” last=”0″] – …
Bishop Serapion Speaks about the Meaning of Thanksgiving
The following video is an interview from the online youth channel, YourVoiceTV, in which His Grace Bishop Serapion discusses with Kathy Abraham the meaning of Thanksgiving and how Coptic Orthodox Christians should celebrate this holiday. [ba-youtubeflex videoid=”bhWYXyI_6EA”]
Placing our Weaknesses before Christ
In the Gospel reading of the Evening Raising of Incense for the Third Sunday of the blessed Coptic month of Hatour, we hear our Lord Jesus Christ speaking to us personally, saying, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My – …
Axios! Ordination of a New Presbyter and Archdeacon
On Sunday, November 24, His Grace Bishop Serapion laid hands on, and ordained, Deacon Raphael Maher as a presbyter to serve at St. Abanoub and St. Antony Church in Norco. Attending the ordination were several diocesan priests, including Fr. Felimon Mahrous, Fr. Mina Girgis, and Fr. Michael Fanous in addition to the fathers of the parish. Father Raphael will travel, God willing, to the Monastery of Abba Pishoy in Wadi El Natroun to complete his – …
Hawaiian Mission for Youth – January 2014
The Hawaiian Mission is pleased to announce that there is an opportunity for 15 college students to attend a mission trip in Honolulu, HI this coming January. The dates of the mission will be January 10-20, 2014. If any youth from your respective congregations is interested in this opportunity they can email mission@lacopts.org for more information or to sign up by December 10, 2013.
Axioi! Ordination of Three New Presbyters
On Sunday, November 10, 2013, Their Graces Bishop Serapion and Bishop Youssef laid hands on, and ordained, three new presbyters at St. Maurice Church in Pomona to serve in this Christ-loving Diocese. Deacon Pimen Shenouda was ordained as Father Pimen Shenouda to begin his service at St. Paul and St. Marina Churches, respectively. Deacon Theophilus Paul and Deacon Antony Paul were ordained as Father Arsani Paul and Father Antony Paul, respectively, as celibate priests for – …
Axioi! Ordination of Deacon Raphael Maher and Deacon Arsanious Wissa
On Saturday, November 9, 2013, His Grace Bishop Serapion laid hands on and ordained the blessed servants, Philip Maher and Farouk Wissa, as Deacon Raphael and Deacon Arsanious, respectively, at St. Abanoub and St. Antony Church in Norco where they will serve. Attending the ordinations were Fr. Michael Gabriel, Fr. Macarius Shehata, Fr. Ishak Boulos, Fr. Mina Girgis, and Fr. Antony Selim. God willing, on Sunday, November 24, Deacon Raphael will be ordained a presbyter – …
Axios! Ordination of Deacon Pimen Shenouda
On Thursday, November 7, 2013, His Grace Bishop Serapion laid hands on and ordained the blessed servant, Anthony Shenouda, as Deacon Pimen (after the great Abba Poemen of the Egyptian desert) for the Christ-loving Diocese of Los Angeles at St. Demiana Church in San Diego. Since the ordination took place during the monthly clergy meeting, it was attended by most of the diocesan clergy as well as family and friends from around the Diocese. The – …