Homily on the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, There are some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Thus, inasmuch as He had discoursed much of dangers and death, and of His own passion, and of the slaughter of the disciples, and had laid on them those severe injunctions; and these were in the present life and at hand, but the good – …
On the Duties of Clergy
Happiness in life is to be gained by living virtuously, inasmuch as thus a Christian, whilst despising glory and the favour of men, desires to please God alone in what he does. 1. In the first book we spoke of the duties which we thought befitted a virtuous life, whereon no one has ever doubted but that a blessed life, which the Scripture calls eternal life, depends. So great is the splendor of a virtuous – …
On the Different Methods of the Devil’s Warfare: The First Method
On the Different Methods of the Devil’s Warfare Against Those Who Journey on the Narrow Way That Transcends the World On the First Method OUR ADVERSARY, the devil, has the long-standing habit of artfully choosing modes of warfare against those who enter upon the ascetic contest according to the form of their weapons, and he changes the manner of his struggle against them according to the aim of each. He observes those who are indolent – …
Youth Spiritual Competition 2010 Results
With God’s grace, the youth of the Diocese of Los Angeles participated in the annual Youth Spiritual Competition on Saturday, August 21, 2010. The competition was graciously hosted by the priests and congregation of St. John Church in Covina under the auspices and guidance of our beloved father, His Grace Bishop Serapion. Also in attendance were several diocesan priests, including Fr. Gregory Bishay, Fr. Boules Baky, Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim, Fr. Moses Samaan, Fr. David Abdelsayed, – …
Update on Mahragan Al Keraza Media Project (3-5th Grade)
Below, please find some clarification regarding the media project portion of the Mahragan Al Keraza Competition for the 3-5th grade level from the YSC Committee.The Media Project1. It is not mandatory (but there is are special awards for it)2. Should be in DVD or CD format3. 10 minutes in length maximum4. Must have a CLEAR message about being faithful5. Can be song, video, short skit, – …
GYP Convention – Defending the Faith without Offending It (Oct. 7-10)
It’s time again for the annual Diocese of Los Angeles and Hawaii Graduates and Young Professionals Convention! Graduate students and young professionals from California and the rest of the United States come together to grow in knowledge, spirituality, and fellowship. This year we have some very important speakers coming to discuss with us how to defend our faith without offending our faith. With persecution of the church growing all over the world and where our – …
Archdeacon Habeeb Girgis and the Renaissance of the Coptic Orthodox Church
Few would dispute that the Coptic Church, which was founded by St. Mark the evangelist, began its modern renaissance towards the latter half of the nineteenth century, after many centuries of darkness. A darkness which was forced upon her by two major historical events. The first of which were the woeful decisions of the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.) which separated her from the rest of Christiandom. The second was the Arab conquest of Egypt – …
The Fast of the Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Saint Mary (August 7-21)
During the month of August, we live a period of fasting, bearing the name of the Holy Virgin, the Mother of Light. We celebrate her feast on August 22nd (Mesori 16th). The Fast of St. Mary, the Feast of the Holy Virgin, and talking about the Mother of the Savior are all beloved subjects to the soul. Even those who are not accustomed to observing all the Church’s fasts, observe St. Mary’s Fast and may – …
His Grace and Diocese Clergy Attend North American Coptic Clergy Seminar
From August 2-4, His Grace Bishop Serapion and the diocese clergy participated in the 2010 North American Coptic Clergy Seminar (NACCS) at St. Mary’s Vineyard in Charlton, Massachusetts.Our beloved father, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, arrived to the seminar accompanied by 21 metropolitans and bishops in good spirits on Monday and received all of the North American clergy and their families. His Holiness proceeded to deliver several spiritual words to the clergy with much time – …
The Strong Saint Abba Moses Book Now Available for Ordering
With great joy and enthusiasm, the Diocese announces the availability of its new publication The Strong Saint Abba Moses for online ordering. This book is a compilation of original writings about and sayings from St. Moses the Ethiopian, one of the great desert fathers of Egypt whose story of repentance and asceticism is an inspiration to all of us.From the Preface of His Grace Bishop Serapion:The story of the life of the Strong Saint Abba Moses is – …
The Martyrdom of Saint Marina
On Abib 23, the church commemorates the martyrdom of the blessed St. Marina, who overcame the Devil. She was one of the daughters of the nobles of Antioch. Her parents were pagan. When her mother died, her father sent her to a nanny to raise her, who was a Christian. She taught Marina the Faith of Christ. When Marina reached the age of fifteen years, her father died. One day she heard her nurse talking about the – …
Youth Spiritual Competition Launches New Site
The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles announces a new website dedicated to this year’s Youth Spiritual Competition and Al Keraza Competition: http://www.ysc-keraza.org/ website.The site includes all of the most updated material for this year’s Youth Spiritual competition. Please note that updates have been made and noted on the front page, and that each participant should access each file on the site for their respective material to ensure that they have the most updated files.Please – …