The 39th Anniversary of Pope Shenouda's Accession to the See of St. Mark
The Christ-loving Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii under the pastoral care of His Grace Bishop Serapion congratulates her beloved father, the Shepherd of Shepherds, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, Pope of the Great City of Alexandria and Patriarch of the Ancient See of St. Mark and all lands of emigration, on the 39th Anniversary of his accession to the Apostolic See of St. Mark. We have been blessed by your pastoral care – …
The Commemoration of the Four Incorporeal Beasts (Hatoor 8/November 17)
On this day, the church commemorates the four Incorporeal Beasts who carry the throne of God. As it is mentioned by St. John who witnessed this in his Revelation saying, “Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardine stone in appearance: and there was a rainbow around the throne in appearance like – …
The First Theological Oration
Not to every one, my friends, does it belong to philosophize about God; not to every one; the Subject is not so cheap and low; and I will add, not before every audience, nor at all times, nor on all points; but on certain occasions, and before certain persons, and within certain limits. Not to all men, because it is permitted only to those who have been examined, and are passed masters in meditation, and – …
The Mission of the Twelve
Our Lord Jesus Christ has appointed certain men to be guides and teachers of the world and stewards of his divine mysteries. Now he bids them to shine out like lamps and to cast out their light not only over the land of the Jews but over every country under the sun and over people scattered in all directions and settled in distant lands. That man has spoken truly who said: No one takes honor – …
Father Mina Iskander of the Southern Diocese Rested in the Lord
With faith and a firm hope in the resurrection, the Diocese offers condolences for the departure of Father Mina Iskander of St. Pishoy Church in Antioch, Tennessee. Although Fr. Mina served in the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States, he received treatment at the UCLA Medical Center for the past two months. Many of the clergy and congregation of the diocese saw Fr. Mina and received his blessing before his departure.The funeral service – …
Saint Macarius Bishop of Etkou (Babah 27/November 6)
On this day, the blessed father St. Macarius, Bishop of Etkou, was martyred. In this holy man, the words of David the Prophet were fulfilled saying, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalms 1:1-2) – …
The Departure of the Great St. John the Short (Paopi 20/October 30)
On this day, the great light and saint, the hegumen Abba John (Yoannis) Colobos (the Short), departed. He was a native of Betsa in upper Egypt and he had one brother. His parents were righteous and God-fearing people, rich in faith and good deeds. When he was 8 years old, his heart turned away from the futility of this world, its lusts and its glory, and he desired the monastic life. The grace of God – …
Diocese Pre-Marital Retreat
The Diocese is pleased to announce the Pre-Marital Retreat for couples on the path towards marriage. The retreats will cover important aspects regarding the Engagement Period as well as Marital Relationships. The Reverend Father Gawargious Kolta will address a broad range of topics and issues related to the Mystery of Marriage and the engagement period. This year’s retreat will be held at the Coptic Village from Friday, December 3 to Sunday, December 5. Registration costs – …
On the Celebration 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 endeavors to examine how the celebration of Halloween contradicts our Orthodox Christian identity so that we may choose Christ, the True Light, over the darkness of the world. It is generally accepted that the origin of Halloween is the pagan feast of Samhain (pronounced saw-on) of the Celts in Ireland and – …
The Departure of Pope Theophilus of Alexandria (Paopi 18/October 28)
On this day of the year 44 A.D., the holy father Abba Theophilus, 23rd Pope of Alexandria, departed. He was a disciple of St. Athanasius the Apostolic. He was brought up by him and learned all the spiritual doctrine from him. When Pope Timothy I departed, this father was chosen to take his place. Abba Theophilus was knowledgeable, well read in the church books with full understanding of their interpretation. He wrote many discourses and – …
The 10th Annual Toy Drive
The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles announces the 10th Annual Toy Drive benefitting the Toys for Tots foundation. This year the Diocese Toy Drive will run from October 31st through December 19th. The Diocese Toy Drive is a great way to bring a smile to a young child this Christmas. Your charitable donation of NEW unwrapped toys will help bring a smile to a needy child and spread the spirit of giving this Nativity. “So let each one give as he purposes – …
The Departure of Pope Theophilus of Alexandria (Paopi 18/October 28)
On this day of the year 44 A.D., the holy father Abba Theophilus, 23rd Pope of Alexandria, departed. He was a disciple of St. Athanasius the Apostolic. He was brought up by him and learned all the spiritual doctrine from him. When Pope Timothy I departed, this father was chosen to take his place. Abba Theophilus was knowledgeable, well read in the church books with full understanding of their interpretation. He wrote many discourses and – …