Departure of St. Pishoy (July 15/Abib 8)
St. Pishoy was born in 320 A.D. in Shansa, which corresponds to present-day Al Manoufia. His mother saw an angel in a vision asking her to give God one of her children, St. Pishoy, despite the fact he was the smallest and most frail of his brothers. When the mother tried to give the angel one of her stronger children, the angel refused and chose St. Pishoy instead. When he was 20 years old, St. – …
Third Annual Patristics Conference a Blessed Success
On July 10-11, 2009, Saint Athanasius and Saint Cyril Theological Library held its Third Annual Patristics Conference featuring His Grace Bishop Serapion, the Reverend Protopresbyter Father George Dion. Dragas, and Deacon Severus Mikhail. With God’s grace and through your prayers, the conference was a tremendous blessing and success. The conference commenced with a general youth meeting at St. Maurice Coptic Orthodox Church on Friday, July 10, 2009. Earlier that morning, the church celebrated the Feast – …
2009 Resolutions of the Holy Synod
On June 7, 2009, the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church convened on the Glorious Feast of Pentecost to discuss several important issues in the life of the church and its faithful. The attached file, compiled by Fr. Youhanna Mouris, contains an explanation of all of the Holy Synod’s decrees in Arabic and English. Decrees of the Holy Synod 2009_E&A.pdf204 KB
Departure of St. Shenoute the Archimandrite (July 14/Abib 7)
On this day, the ascetic father, St. Shenoute the Archimandrite, departed. As a child, he was entrusted with his father’s sheep. He spent his days tending the sheep and fasting. One day, his father took him to Abba Pigol, his uncle, for a blessing. A voice came from heaven saying, "Shenoute has become the Archimandrite." From that time, he increased his ascetic life until he succeeded Abba Pigol as head of the White Monastery in – …
New Publication: On the Lord's Prayer by Saint Cyril of Alexandria
With great joy and enthusiasm, the Diocese announces the publication of a new book, On the Lord’s Prayer by Saint Cyril of Alexandria. Published by the Saint Paul Brotherhood Press, this book features a collection of eight homilies delivered by Saint Cyril on the Lord’s Prayer ("Our Father Who art in heaven…") As His Grace Bishop Serapion wrote in the Preface, In the following homilies, the reader will be inspired by the intense, theological depth – …
Parish Churches to Participate in 2009 Al Keraza Spiritual Competition
The Diocese joyfully announces that, for the first time, its parish churches will participate in the Mahragan Al Keraza Spiritual Competition for elementary school children. This competition, based in Egypt under the direct supervision of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, is similar in nature to the Diocese Youth Spiritual Competition, but for elementary school children.There are two parts to this competition:A written examination that will take place on August 15, 2009 at each of the – …
Diocese Announces Third Annual Patristics Conference
June 22, 2009 – St. Athanasius and St. Cyril Theological Library joyfully announces its Third Annual Patristics Conference on Saturday July 11, 2009 at St. Maurice Coptic Orthodox Church. As with previous conferences, this year’s event will feature lectures from His Grace Bishop Serapion and the Reverend Father George Dion. Dragas of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Theological Seminary in Brookline, Massachusetts. The theme of this year’s event is "The Lord’s Prayer in the Fathers." For the – …
Fast of the Pure Apostles (June 8 – July 12)
The Fast of the Apostles follows the Great Feast of Pentecost and precedes the Feast of the Apostles, which commemorates the martyrdom of Sts. Peter and Paul on Abib 5 (July 12.) The History of the Apostles’ Fast The Apostles’ Fast commemorates the service of the holy and pure apostles when they preached the good news of Christianity throughout the world. This fast is firmly rooted in the Holy Scriptures. When the Pharisees criticized the – …
Information and Registration for Diocese Premarital Counseling and Marital Enrichment Retreats
Through the blessings and prayers of our beloved father H.G. Bishop Serapion, the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles joyfully announces two retreats aimed at counseling those who are about to get married as well as those who are already married. Fifth Annual Premarital Retreat Fifth Annual Marital Enrichment Retreat Complete information and application forms are available at the links above.
Great Feast of Pentecost
"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them." Acts 2:2, 3. Quote: Today He bestows on us this Descent of the Holy Spirit, and through Him imparts to us a thousand other gifts of heaven. Quote Author: St. John Chrysostom, On Pentecost, – …
Youth Spiritual Competition 2009 Information and Curriculum
With great joy and enthusiasm, the Diocese announces the availability of the curriculum for all levels (junior high, high school, and college) participating in this year’s Youth Spiritual Competition on August 29, 2009 at Holy Virgin Mary Coptic Orthodox Church in Los Angeles. The YSC started in the year 2001 with the start of the new millennium as a way of encouraging our youth to grow in their faith. The competition is used as a – …
Feast of the Ascension
The Feast of the Ascension is celebrated on the fortieth day after the feast of the Resurrection, always on a Thursday. In this feast we recall Him Who raises and lifts us up to sit with Him in heaven (Ephesians. 2:6). Quote: For after having gone down hence into Hades, and come up again to us, He ascended again from us into heaven, His Father addressing Him, and saying, “Sit on My right hand, until – …