Diocese Establishes St. Athanasius and St. Cyril Theological Library
Under the guidance and leadership of His Grace Bishop Serapion, the Diocese of Los Angeles has established a theological library in the name of the great Alexandrian fathers, St. Athanasius and St. Cyril, with the mission to establish a library to encourage the study of the biblical and patristic heritage of the great Alexandrian Fathers, especially Saint Athanasius and Saint Cyril. It is hoped that this effort will help respond to the theological, pastoral, and – …
Declaration Against Same-Sex Marriage
In August 2003, the Coptic Orthodox Church, through the leadership of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and the Holy Synod, issued a formal declaration against homosexuality and same-sex marriage. In part, the declaration stated, Same-sex marriage is against the Divine Plan for marriage and its purpose of procreation. “But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined – …
Joint Press Release on the Photographing of the Lord’s Brethren and Orphans
Our Beloved, the Blessed Children of the Holy Church, Peace and grace from our God and Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. It gives us great pleasure to see how the Church’s children living abroad are greatly concerned about helping our needy brothers and sisters in Egypt , especially the orphans. We find that it is written in the Holy Bible, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Fr. is this: to visit orphans and – …
The Pope in a Series of Meetings
On Wednesday, December 6, the Pope went to the Monastery, whereas the problem was not yet resolved. And there, a delegate of Assiout Priests and Lay members met with the Pope, they presented Him a report, and then they met HH the next week where they presented Him another detailed report signed by the Clergy of Assiout, Deyrout, Manful, Quesada and other regions. Then the Bishop of Manfalot arrived there to meet with HH and – …
Three Reverend Oriental Orthodox Patriarchs Sign Common Declaration in Damascus
Friday and Saturday, December 9-10, 2005, the Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Middle East, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Church, His Holiness Patriarch Zakka I of the Syrian Church and His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Armenian Church-Catholicosate of Cilicia, held their 8th meeting, at St. Ephrem Monastery, Ma’arat Saydnaya, Damascus, Syria. This fellowship was founded in 1996. During their deliberations, the three Heads addressed issues related to – …
Report of Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Commission
Report of Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Commission A Shared “Ecclesial Patrimony Stemming From Apostolic Times” VATICAN CITY, FEB. 12, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is the report issued at the conclusion of the fourth meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. The meeting took place Jan. 28-Feb. 3 in Rome. The fourth meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches took – …
Diocese Issues Press Release About Student Starvation Claim
March 7, 2008–-In response to a recent news story about Jonathan McCullum, a U.S. Exchange Student who claimed he was starved by a Coptic Christian family due to church fasts, the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii clarifies as follows: Although the Church strongly encourages her believers to observe periods of fasting according to Apostolic Tradition, fasting is a voluntary spiritual sacrifice. The Church does not impose her fasting days on anyone. – …
The Opening of the New Church Building of Saint Demiana Church in Bakersfield
By God’s grace and the prayers of our beloved father, H.G. Bishop Serapion, the new church building of St. Demiana Church in Bakersfield is completed and the opening will take place on Saturday November 20th, 2004. H.G. Bishop Serapion will bless the event by praying Vespers on Friday, November 19th and celebrating the Divine Liturgy on Saturday, November 20th. Following the Divine Liturgy on Saturday, there will be a spiritual celebration. Everyone is invited to – …
2006 Diocese Youth Spiritual Competition
Another Year of Success and Blessings for the Diocese Youth Spiritual Competition Over 500 students, ranging from junior high to college age, competed at this year’s diocese-wide Youth Spiritual Competition, held August 19 at Saint John Coptic Orthodox Church. Saint John Church (Covina) took home first place for the college competition, Saint Mark Church (Los Angeles) won for high school, and Saint George Church (Bellflower) earned first place at the junior high level. Third place – …
Ordination of Archdeacon Mina Tadrous
On November 24, 2006, on the occasion of the Feast of St. Mina, at St. Mina Church in Riverside, His Grace Bishop Serapion, ordained the blessed servant, Rafaat Tadrous, to the rank of Archdeacon to serve at St. Mina Church in Riverside. May the Lord God bless their service for the Glory of His Name.
Christian Churches Together (CCT) Formally Launched In Pasadena
Pasadena, Calif., February 9, 2007 – A consensus on the importance of evangelism and the need to eliminate domestic poverty marked the official formation of Christian Churches Together (CCT) meeting here February 6-9. The CCT is composed of 36 churches and national organizations from virtually all U.S. Christian groups who have been seeking to come together for fellowship, worship and opportunities to share in important ministries. “Remember that you belong to God and God does – …
Library Conference Live On-Line
Thank God, this year’s Patristic Conference is now being broadcast live by Saint Athanasius and Saint Cyril Theological Library at copticlibrary.org. Lectures and presentations will be made by Rev. Fr. George Dion. Dragas of the Greek Orthodox Church and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, as well as our beloved, His Grace Bishop Serapion.