The Church’s Perspective on Stem Cell Research
Introduction Stem cell research has become one of decisive issues in the current presidential election. President George W. Bush’s policy is to restrict federal funding to embryonic stem cell research. In August 2002, the president decided to restrict federal funding to embryonic stem cell lines that had already been created. Bush’s policy restricted embryonic stem cell research to the clusters of cells derived from frozen embryos that would otherwise be discarded by fertility clinics. President – …
The Life of Saint Antony the Great (Part I)
From Athanasius of Alexandria, “The Life of St. Anthony,” in A Select Library of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church. Second Series. P. Schaff and H. Wace, eds., vol. 4(New York: Scribners, 1890), pp. 195-221. ++++ You have entered upon a noble rivalry with the monks of Egypt by your determination either to equal or surpass them in your training in the way of virtue. For by this time there are monasteries among – …
In Your Light Shall We See Light
"Salvation belongs to the Lord" [Ps. 3:8, NKJ]. Just as no man is from himself, so no man is saved by himself. Therefore most truly and right well does the psalm say, "O Lord, You shall save men and beasts." Why? "Even as your mercy is multiplied, O God." For You are God, You have created, You save: You gave life, You give health…"Because with You is the fountain of life." The very fountain of – …
Treasures of the Fathers: Feast of Pentecost
…If it be objected to us on this subject that we ourselves are accustomed to observe certain days, as for example the Lord’s day, the Preparation, the Passover, or Pentecost, I have to answer, that to the perfect Christian, who is ever in his thoughts, words, and deeds serving his natural Lord, God the Word, all his days are the Lord’s, and he is always keeping the Lord’s day. He also who is unceasingly preparing – …
Prostrations According to the Coptic Orthodox Church Rite
An excerpt from the Book, Spirituality of the Rites of the Holy Liturgy, pp. 45-54 The Coptic Church, in its humble and meek spirit, teaches her children three types of prostration, or metanias (bowing). These are: prostrations of worship, repentance, and honor. 1. Prostrations of Worship These are the prostrations offered to God during our individual or public worship, such as at the beginning of each of the hourly prayers when we say “Lord have – …
Treasures of the Fathers: Eve of Good Friday of the Holy Pascha
The Jews, Judas, and Satan Let us see the course of the devil’s spite and the result of his crafty plans against Christ. The devil had implanted in the leasers of the Jewish synagogue envy against Christ, which even leads to murder. This disorder always leads, so to speak, to the guilt of murder. At least, this is the natural course of this vice. It was the way with Cain and Abel, and it clearly – …
A Brief Life of Saint Cyril of Alexandria
Our knowledge of St. Cyril’s childhood education and early upbringing is quite meager. According to St. Isidore of Pelusium and church historian Socrates, St. Cyril was born in Alexandria around the year 380. However, others rely on to the chronicles of John, Bishop of Nikiu in seventh century, who states that St. Cyril’s mother and her brother hailed from Memphis, and that St. Cyril was born in the town of Theodosion, Lower Egypt, very close – …
NCC Leads 30-Member Ecumenical Delegation To Cuba Jan. 22-28
January 13, 2004, NEW YORK CITY – Consultation with Cuban churches on shared concerns and celebration of the consecration of a new Greek Orthodox cathedral in Havana will top the agenda of a January 22-28 U.S. church leaders’ delegation visit to Cuba. Led by the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches U.S.A., the delegation also has requested a meeting with Cuba’s President Fidel Castro, at which the NCC is – …
Fr. Michael Gabriel Ordained Hegumen
On Thursday, March 15, 2007, His Grace Bishop Serapion ordained Fr. Michael Gabriel, to the priestly rank of Hegumen. The blessed ordination took place at Saint Maurice Church in Pomona. His Grace Bishop Serapion has reassigned Fr. Michael Gabriel to serve St. Abanoub and St. Antony Church in Corona along with Fr. Antony Selim.
Second Annual Joint Divine Liturgy of the Oriental Churches
On Thursday May 11, 2006, under the guidance and leadership of His Grace Bishop Serapion, His Eminence Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan (Syriac Orthodox Church), His Eminence Hovnan Derderian and His Eminence Moushegh Mardirossian (Armenian Apostolic Church), the Coptic, Armenian, and Syriac sister Oriental Orthodox Churches of the Western United States celebrated the second annual joint Divine Liturgy at the Armenian Apostolic Church in Burbank, CA. The day was filled with prayer, solidarity, and fellowship among – …
His Holiness Signs Common Declation with H.H. Patriarch Zakka I and H.H. Catholicos Aram I in Syria
From April 19-21, 2007, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III travelled to Syria for the tenth annual meeting of the Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, with His Holiness Patriarch Zakka I of the Syrian Orthodox Church and His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Armenian Church-Holy See of Cilicia. This year’s meeting was held at at St. Ephrem Syrian Orthodox Monastery in Damascus, Syria came ten years after the foundational meeting in 1996. During their – …
Christian Unity from an Orthodox Perspective
The School of Religion and The Council for Coptic Studies at Claremont Graduate University cordially invite you to a public lecture on Christian Unity from an Orthodox Perspective By H.G. Bishop Serapion Coptic Orthodox Bishop of Los Angeles Claremont Graduate University Albrecht Auditorium, 925 N. Dartmouth Avenue Claremont, CA 91711 Wednesday, October 29, 2008 6:30 pm Social and Refreshments 7:00 pm Performance by Coptic Church Ecclesiastical Choirs 7:30 pm Lecture Christian unity is an important – …