U.S. Congressman Joseph R. Pitts (R) Address Congress on Plight of Copts in Egypt
In the video below, U.S. Congressman Joseph R. Pitts (R-PA) addresses an open session of Congress on the plight of Egypt’s Christians.
Second Sunday of the Great Lent
The gospel of the Second Sunday deals with the temptation of doubting God’s paternity toward us, “If you are the son of God, why does He leave you hungry? Why does God allow the presence of disease, failure and the death of His beloved?” Practice: It is our duty this week to examine our faith in the love of the Father Who gave His Son for us. Our faith should surpass all temptations and emotions. – …
"The Great Lent" Publication Available for Ordering
The diocese joyfully announces the availability of its publication, The Great Lent, part of the popular Treasures of the Fathers series. The Great Lent is Volume II of the series, and it offers readers a rich treasure of patristic writings from St. Athanasius, St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. John Chrysostom, St. Gregory Nazianzen, the Scholar Origen, and many others. Also included in this volume is a series of three articles containing an introduction to the spirituality of – …
The First Sunday of the Great Lent
The gospel of the first Sunday of Lent calls for the surrender of life to the Father. “Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat…nor yet for the body, what you shall wear…do not worry about tomorrow.” The reason for not worrying is that, “your heavenly Father knows that you have of all these things” (Mt. 6:32). The practice of this week is a call to a secure life in the care of – …
Highlights of the March 3, 2011 Clergy Meeting
On Thursday, March 3, 2011, His Grace Bishop Serapion presided over the monthly clergy meeting with the reverend hegumens, presbyters, and archdeacons of the Diocese at St. Mark Church in Los Angeles.The day began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy of St. Cyril from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. followed by a lunch on the church rooftop. His Grace then addressed the clergy concerning the situation in Egypt and pastoral care issues within the – …
Day of Prayer and Commemoration: A New Vision for Egypt
LOS ANGELES – As post-Mubarak Egypt stands at a crossroads, Coptic Orthodox bishop His Grace Bishop Serapion is certain his hopes and vision for the new Egypt are shared not only by his homeland’s Christians, but lovers of freedom and human rights everywhere.“While we have a deep concern about the direction of the country, we still have strong hope and great dreams,” HG Bishop Serapion said Sunday afternoon at the Los Angeles Convention Center in – …
Digital Program and Schedule for Day of Prayer and Commemoration of Martyrs
On Sunday, February 27, 2011, His Grace Bishop Serapion and thousands of Copts from the Diocese and abroad will participate in an ecumenical Day of Prayer and Commemoration of the Martyrs of the 21st Century at the Los Angeles Convention Center from 3:00 to 5:00p.m.As part of our preparation for this historic events, please download the attached PDF Program and Prayer Book and PDF schedule for the event. Printed copies will be available at the event – …
Preparatory Week of the Great Lent
The Great Lent is considered the holiest fast because our Lord Jesus Christ fasted it Himself. Therefore, during the Great Lent we follow the example set by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who fasted on our behalf forty days and forty nights (Mt. 4:2). Also, during the Holy Pascha, which comes after the forty days, we live the Passion of Christ day by day and hour by hour. The Church declares to us that the closet – …
Media Advisory for the February 27 Day of Prayer and Solidarity
LOS ANGELES – In the wake of the popular uprising that overthrew Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Egypt now stands at a crossroads with unprecedented opportunity to build a democratic society. Southern California Coptic Christians support the aim of their Coptic brothers and sisters in Egypt: to help create a new government that is fair and equitable to all citizens, ensures human rights for everyone and rejects extremism and discrimination in all forms.But many in the – …
Coptic Christian Immigrant in NYC Fears for Future of Family Back in Egypt
A childhood of persecution in Egypt shaped one Coptic Christian’s adult life in the United States, as he looks for ways to save relatives from Muslim fundamentalism back home.
The Departure of Saint Severus the Patriarch of Antioch
On this day of the year 538 A.D., the holy father St. Severus, Patriarch of Antioch, departed. He was from Asia Minor. His grandfather, whose name was also Severus, saw in a vision someone telling him, “The child who is for your son will strengthen Orthodoxy, and his name will be after your name.” When his son had this saint, he called him Severus. He was taught the Greek wisdom and church subjects. Once, the – …
Statement of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III on the Egyptian Revolution
On 15 February 2011 Pope Shenouda met with a small committee of the Holy Synod that released the following statement: The Coptic Church praises Egypt’s honest youth, the Youth of 25 January who led Egypt in a resilient white revolution and sacrificed precious blood, the blood of the nation’s martyrs who were hailed by Egypt’s leadership, army and people. We too offer condolences to their parents and members of their families. The Coptic Church praises – …