Homily on Pascha
I. It is the Day of the Resurrection, and my Beginning has good auspices. Let us then keep the Festival with splendor, and let us embrace one another. Let us say Brethren, even to those who hate us; much more to those who have done or suffered anything out of love for us. Let us forgive all offenses for the Resurrection’s sake: let us give one another pardon, I for the noble tyranny which I – …
Paschal Homily
If any man be devout and love God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. If any man be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord. If any have labored long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense. If any have wrought from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If any have come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep – …
Festal Letter 1
Come, my beloved, the season calls us to keep the feast. Again, ‘the Sun of Righteousness, causing His divine beams to rise upon us, proclaims beforehand the time of the feast, in which, obeying Him, we ought to celebrate it, lest when the time has passed by, gladness likewise may pass us by. For discerning the time is one of the duties most urgent on us, for the practice of virtue; so that the blessed – …
Paschal Letter for the Glorious Feast of the Resurrection 2010
Today we rejoice as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, Who by His death trampled down death, and bestowed eternal life upon those in the tomb. At the beginning of this year, the Church offered a group of righteous martyrs in Nag Hammadi. We pray that God may repose their pure souls in the Paradise of Joy. We also pray for their families that God may grant them the – …
Palm Sunday (Entry of our Lord into Jerusalem)
Palm Sunday is one of the major feasts of the Lord, the day on which our Lord Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem as a King, riding on a donkey and a colt, the foal of a donkey. The crowds joyfully proclaimed, "Hosanna, Son of David" as they greeted him with palm and olive branches. The word "Hosanna" means "save us." The Jews were anticipating an earthly king to save them from their Roman overlords and mistakenly – …
Pastoral Letter for Palm Sunday
On March 28, 2010, (19 Baramhat 1726 A.M.) the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria celebrates with great joy the Feast of the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), one of the major feasts of the Church commemorating the entry of our Lord as an earthly King into Jerusalem and as a Heavenly King into our hearts. As part of the diocese’s spiritual program during this holy season, our father, His Grace Bishop Serapion, has recorded – …
Diocese Encourages Parishioners to Be Counted in 2010 U.S. Census
During the month of March, every household in the United States will receive a form from the U.S. Department of Commerce Census Bureau. Each household will be asked to complete this form so that the Census Bureau may estimate the number of individuals residing in the United States. By law, this information will remain confidential, and it may not be used for any other purpose besides the census, including immigration purposes.The respective Coptic dioceses of – …
Pastoral Letter for the Sixth Sunday of the Great Lent
On March 21, 2010, (12 Baramhat 1726 A.M.) the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria observes the Sixth Sunday of the Great Lent, in which we remember how we have been enlightened through baptism. As part of the diocese’s spiritual program during this holy season, our father, His Grace Bishop Serapion, has recorded a pastoral message for this Sunday of the Great Lent. It is available for streaming and downloading here: Pastoral Message for the Sixth – …
Muslim Extremists Attack Coptic Christians Over Church Fence in Marsa Matrouh
On Friday, March 12, Muslim extremists attacked a church and community center in Marsa Matruh and injured 28 Coptic Orthodox Christians, some critically. According to Egyptian officials, the cause of the attack was the assailant’s anger over a new fence that was erected around the center. The assailants mistakenly believed that construction workers were building a new church, not a simple fence around the center. The following audio files contain firsthand witness accounts of this – …
Pastoral Letter for the Fifth Sunday of the Great Lent
On March 14, 2010, (5 Baramhat 1726 A.M.) the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria observes the Fifth Sunday of the Great Lent, in which we profess our Lord Jesus Christ as the source of all healing for our bodies and souls alike. We also remember Bethsaida as a symbol of our baptism by which we are healed of our illnesses. As part of the diocese’s spiritual program during this holy season, our father, His Grace – …
2010 Graduates and Young Professionals Passion Retreat
With great joy and enthusiasm, the Diocese announces an upcoming retreat for graduates and young professionals from March 19-21 at the Coptic Village in Big Bear. The featured speaker for the retreat will be Father Daniel Habib of St. John Coptic Orthodox Church in Covina, California. Additional information is as follows: Prices $120 Person/For Double Room $95 Person/For Quad or 6 people $15 Late Fee (After March 1) Deadlines March 1 (Regular) March 8 (Late) FAQ – …
Pastoral Letter for the Fourth Sunday of the Great Lent
On March 7, 2010, (28 Meshir 1726 A.M.) the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria observes the Fourth Sunday of the Great Lent, in which we remember how our Lord Jesus Christ broke all barriers to lead the Samaritan woman to the light of His knowledge and grant her the Living Water. As part of the diocese’s spiritual program during this holy season, our father, His Grace Bishop Serapion, has recorded a pastoral message for this – …