Resources for an Orthodox Christian Understanding of Halloween
On October 31, millions of Americans will celebrate Halloween, many of them Orthodox Christians unaware of the incompatibility between Christianity and Halloween. This article offers a few resources from Orthodox Christian sources to educate our families and youth on this dark holiday and how we are to respond. [ba-quote]Abba Antony said, “Evil spirits, since they can do nothing, are but as actors in a play, changing their shapes and frightening children by their tumult and – …
The Paralytic and Being in the Presence of God
On the first Sunday of the blessed Coptic month of Babah, we heard in the Divine Liturgy the Gospel according to St. Mark 2:1-12, in which we were confronted by a man who is paralyzed, but nonetheless has friends that care and bring him to our Lord to be healed. Our Lord Jesus Christ came to a city called Capernaum, a city that was like His second home after Nazareth. At the time of our story, our – …
Diocese Supports Referendum against AB 1266 (“Bathroom Bill”)
The Diocese, through her parishes, supports the effort to overturn a bill recently passed by the California legislature and signed into law by the Governor. This bill, known as ‘AB 1266’ or the ‘Bathroom Bill,’ opens bathrooms, showers and locker rooms at our public schools to the opposite sex. It creates the right of elementary and secondary school students to use sensitive sex-segregated school facilities such as showers, restrooms and locker rooms based on the student’s perceived – …
GYP Convention Registration RE-OPENED!
Written by admin on September 27, 2013. Posted in Conventions We come with some good news! Due to the overwhelming demand on the wait list, we have been able to temporarily reopen registration. Those of you who were on the wait list have now been accommodated! Registration will be open until Sunday, September 29th or until we reach maximum capacity, whichever comes first. Register HERE. Trackback from your site.
Establishment of the First Church Named after St. Pope Kyrillos VI
With great joy, the Diocese of Los Angeles announces the establishment of a new church in Orange County, and the first church to receive the name ‘St. Pope Kyrillos VI Coptic Orthodox Church.’ The church, which began as an extension of Archangel Michael Church in Santa Ana, meets regularly on Saturdays for the Evening Raising of Incense at 6:30p and Sunday School at 7:15p, and Sundays for the Divine Liturgy at 8:00a. It is presently – …
11th Annual GYP Convention (Tentative) Schedule
Written by admin on September 5, 2013. Posted in Conventions Thursday 7:00 pm: Registration 8:00 pm: Agpeya Prayers 8:30 pm: Activity 9:30 pm: Refreshments 10:00 pm: Orientation & Lecture 1 11:00 pm: Midnight Praises Friday 8:30 am: Divine Liturgy 10:30 am: Breakfast 11:30 am: Lecture 2 12:30pm: Quiet Time 1:00 pm: Group Discussion 2:00 pm: – …
2013 GYP Convention
Fellow Graduates and Young Professionals, Join us this October in the beautiful beach town of Oxnard, California for our 11th Annual Graduates and Young Professionals (GYP) Convention: Orthodoxy Uncensored: Defining Truth; refining tradition This year, we will be navigating the complexities of the often blurred lines between dogma and culture. Find where you stand (and where you should be standing) as we explore together our Church’s core beliefs and the effect and role of various, – …
Christian Churches Together (CCT) Letter in Support of the Copts
The ecumenical Christian organization, Christian Churches Together (CCT), has issued a powerful statement in support of the Copts in wake of the recent unprecedented violence against them in Egypt. The statement reads as follows: Grace and peace be to you, in the name of our Lord and Savior! We write to you as leaders of Christian Churches Together in the USA. During the last three weeks of political unrest in Egypt, we have witnessed with – …
Official Statement of the Church on the Torching of over Fifty Churches
The Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt is following closely the unfortunate incidences occurring in our nation and confirms its strong stance with the Egyptian law enforcement, the armed forces, and all civil Egyptian institutions in confronting violent armed organizations and dark malicious forces, both internal and external. The attacks on our government entities and peaceful churches are terrorizing our citizens both Coptic and Muslim. These actions stand against all religions, morality, and humanity. We value – …
Words of Comfort from Pope Tawadros
In a recent interview, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II offered the following words of comfort to all Copts around the world who are feeling sadness over the recent systematic attack on over 50 churches, monasteries, and Christian institutions throughout Egypt. Source: CopticWorld Greetings to all. These days in the history of Egypt are indeed difficult. The events taking place are by all measures are very sad, combining terrorism, crime, bloodshed and aggression. Certain people are – …
Photos and Video of the Barbaric Attack on St. George Church in Sohag
The following gallery and video depict the barbaric attack against the venerable St. George Church in Sohag by what the media have called “peaceful protestors.” The Diocese of Los Angeles strongly condemns this attack, and the many others like it, and echoes Pope Tawadros’ call to the Western media to report on these matters accurately and fairly. These images depict the fruit of barbarism, not peaceful protests. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5Yfs8bRRlk
Statement of Bishop Serapion on the Violence in Egypt (8/14/13)
Updated with Arabic translation — We follow the current events in our beloved Egypt with lifted hearts praying to our beloved God that He has compassion on the beloved people of Egypt and alleviates the distress of terrorism and terrorists’ attacks. We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks on innocent people, churches, monasteries, Christian schools and property of Christians. What is happening against innocent Copts is the result of the suffering of Christians for many decades – …