Receiving The Relics of Saint Verena
On Thursday, October 14, 2004, H.G. Bishop Serapion left Egypt for Switzerland for a pastoral visit of the Coptic churches in the German and French regions of Switzerland. During this visit, His Grace will also meet with Fr. Joseph Boules, priest of St. Mary and St. Verena Church in Anaheim, and Fr. Gregory Bishay, priest of St. Verena and the Three Holy Youth in Orange, as well as delegations from both churches in order to – …
Ordination of Fr. Antony Selim
On Thursday, June 16th, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III ordained the blessed servant Bishoy Mamdouh Selim as a priest for the Diocese of Los Angeles. The new priest received the name of Fr. Antony. The blessed ordination took place at the church of the Papal Residence in Cairo. The bishops who participated in the blessed ordination were His Grace Bishop Serapion, His Grace Bishop Beeman of Nagada and Quos; His Grace Bishop Youaness, General Bishop – …
Blessing and Laying of Cornerstone of Archangel Raphael and Saint Mina Church in Palmdale
On Friday, February 17th 2006, after the Divine Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Serapion blessed and laid the cornerstone of the new Church building for Archangel Raphael and St. Mina Church in Palmdale. The blessed ceremony was attended by Fr. Paul Megally, Fr. Raphael Hanna, Fr. Danial Azer, Fr. Zocimus Kneiber, Fr. Michael Ibrahim and Fr. Boules Baky. In attendance also, representing Assembly District Sharon Runner and Senator George Runner was Mr. Laryy Grooms; representing Supervisor – …
Father Samuel Samaan Rested in the Lord
With our firm faith in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come, the Diocese of Los Angeles announces the departure of the blessed and beloved, Fr. Samuel Samaan of St. Abanoub and St. Anthony Church in Corona, on the early Morning of Friday March 2, 2007. Father Samuel Fahiem Samaan was born on September 20, 1936. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Cairo University Faculty of – …
Second Annual Conference a Success
On July 26, 2008, Saint Athanasius and Saint Cyril Theological Library held its Second Annual Conference entitled “Understanding the Holy Trinity.” With God’s grace and through your prayers, the conference was a resounding success. The conference commenced with a general youth meeting on the evening of Friday, July 25. Michael Wissa, a student at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary in Brookline, Massachusetts, was the first speaker; he presented his paper entitled “Introduction to Theology” in – …
Ordination of Fr. Youhanna Maurice Youssef
On Wednesday, October 13, 2004, H.H. Pope Shenouda III ordained the deacon, Magdy Maurice, as a priest to serve in the Diocese of Los Angeles, and he was given the name "Fr. Youhanna." Their graces Bishop Serapion, Bishop Youanis, Bishop Armia, and Bishop Apakir participated in the prayers of the ordination, which took place at the church in the Archdiocese at Anba Roweis in Cairo. On the same day, the new priest went to St. – …
Ordination of Fr. John Boutros
On Sunday, November 5th, 2006, at Saint Mark Church in Honolulu, Hawaii, His Grace Bishop Serapion ordained the blessed servant, Hanna Botrous, now Fr. John, as a priest for the Diocese of Los Angeles to serve Saint Mark Church in Hawaii. Prior to the priesthood ordination, on Saturday November 4th, he was ordained as a deacon (full rank). Participants in the Divine Liturgy were the reverend fathers: Fr. Anastasi St. Antony, Fr. Angelos Saad and – …
I Am Saddened for You My Son: Pope Shenouda III on the Apostasy of Max Michael
An article published in El-Keraza Magazine, Friday, July 14, 2006, Abib 7, 1722 AM Max Michael was our son, as son of the Coptic Church; he was born in it, was baptized in it and studied in our Theological College. And when he graduated, he served in our churched in Shobra, Zefta and Tanta. Then came the big trial, and it threw him outside the church so he said: “I have nothing at all to – …
Ordination of Archdeacon Zacharia Hanna
On Saturday, March 10, 2007, at Saint Mary & Saint Athanasius Church in Northridge, His Grace Bishop Serapion ordained Ramsis Hanna, now Arch. Zacharia Hanna as an Archdeacon for the Diocese of Los Angeles to serve the newcomers and senior citizens of Saint Mary & Saint Athanasius Church in Northridge. Archdeacon Zacharia was born in 1939 and immigrated to the United States from Egypt in 1988 and has been serving at Saint Mary & Saint – …
Instructions for Deacons Serving in the Divine Liturgy
Blessing of the “Tunics” The “tunic” should be blessed before the “Matins Raising of Incense”. In case some deacons come late, the “Tunic” can be blessed before the “Agpia”, after the “Agpia” or before the “Absolution of the Servants”. The “Tunic” should not be blessed after the “Absolution of the Servants”. Lighting and Holding the Candles inside the Altar during the “Anaphora” Candles should not be lit while kneeling; therefore, candles should be lit as – …
Ordination of Fr. Isaac Androus
On Sunday, January 11, 2004, H.G. Bishop Serapion ordained the blessed servant, Isaac Androus, as a priest in the Diocese of Los Angeles. He was given the name, Fr. Essac. This blessed event took place at Saint George Church in Bellflower. From our sister Church, H.E. Archbishop Eugene Kaplan, Patriarchal Vicar of the Western Diocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church participated in the blessed ordination. Following the ordination, the new priest traveled to Egypt to – …
Ordination of Fr. Boules Baky
On Sunday, March 6th, 2005, H.G. Bishop Serapion ordained the blessed servant, Sherif Baky as a priest. The rites of this blessed ordination took place at St. Maurice Church in Pomona. Prior to the priesthood ordination, Fr. Boules was ordained first as a Deacon on Friday March 4, 2005 at St. Mina Church in Riverside. Fr. Boules has been a youth servant and Sunday School Teacher at our church in Dubai and also in St. – …