Women, the Church is not Your Enemy
Recently, I came across an anonymous blog post written by a Coptic Orthodox woman expressing her frustration over several supposed inequalities and injustices in the Church. At the outset, let it be clear that I don’t doubt this woman’s sincerity. I might even agree with some of what she wrote. It was beneficial to see different viewpoints and understand how some people feel. At the same time, it left me wondering why some people see – …
Inaugural Divine Liturgy at St. John Chrysostom Church in South Orange County
On Saturday, July 16, His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion celebrated the inaugural Divine Liturgy at St. John Chrysostom American Coptic Orthodox Church in South Orange County. As with other ‘American Coptic Orthodox’ parishes in the Diocese, this parish was established to serve the new generations of Coptic Orthodox faithful who were raised in Western society as well as to reach out to non-Egyptians seeking the fullness of Orthodox Christianity as found in the ancient Church of – …
July 2016 Clergy Meeting at Holy Annunciation Church
On July 14, 2016, His Eminence Metropolitan, along with the auxiliary bishops, Their Graces Bishop Abraham and Kyrillos, met with the diocesan clergy at Holy Annunciation Coptic Orthodox Church in Inglewood for their regular monthly meeting. The day began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy followed by an agape meal and a discussion of important administrative issues. Fr. Gregory Bishay delivered an important presentation on the growing topic of Apologetics before the meeting was adjourned with – …
2016 Coptic Youth Conventions
It’s that time of the year! The 2016 Coptic Youth Convention Registration is now OPEN! Please check the website for all upcoming announcements regarding the junior high, high school, and college conventions! Ready to Register? Click HERE!
Axios! Elevation of Fr. Bishoy Brownfield to the Rank of Hegumen
On Sunday, July 10, the Feast of St. Cyril the Pillar of the Faith, His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion and His Grace Bishop Kyrillos celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the feast at St. Cyril of Alexandria Coptic Orthodox Church in El Monte where they elevated the parish priest, the Reverend Father Bishoy Mikhail Brownfield, to the priestly dignity of Hegumen. Father Bishoy Mikhail Brownfield served as a Sunday School teacher, youth leader and deacon at St. Mark Church – …
July 4: What are we Celebrating?
We find ourselves at the gate of another Fourth of July weekend, a time when family and friends gather to celebrate the birth of this nation with barbecues by day and fireworks by night. When it comes to celebrating July 4, we certainly know what we’re doing. Our mailboxes are filled with circulars advertising various cuts of meat, meal pairings, and flag-themed napkins. This weekend, the brave will flock to local beaches despite overcrowding in – …
Axios! Ordination of Deacon Daniel Meleka
Today, His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion, accompanied by Their Graces Bishop Abraham and Bishop Kyrillos, laid hands upon and ordained the servant, Daniel Meleka, to the priestly rank of deacon at the Divine Liturgy for the June 2016 Clergy Meeting at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Los Angeles. This was the first step in Deacon Daniel’s ultimate ordination as a presbyter to serve in the Diocese at St. Mary and St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church in – …
Q&A: I know Jesus loves me, but I’m suffering.
+ Q: I’m having some troubles dealing with suffering, and I don’t want just the “Jesus loves me” answer. Any thoughts or insights? Response: There were two other blogs where we discussed the problem of evil and how peoples’ choices are really the cause of most of our suffering. So I want to take a different line of meditation this time. Actually, this is a time of year, where that question is being meditated on by the – …
2. The Ministers & The Chief of Ministers
2. The Ministers & The Chief of Ministers I got ahead of myself, though. Let us go back a little. This King, before making the people, made a place for them. He was creative and illustrious, He wanted the place to be beautiful for them so that they would enjoy everything with him. He wanted them to be excited about everything even as he was excited for them. He made the entire Kingdom for those – …
Photos of the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of Pentecost with the Newly Consecrated Bishops
With great joy, the Diocese received the newly consecrated auxiliary bishops, His Grace Bishop Abraham and His Grace Bishop Kyrillos on the weekend of the Feast of Pentecost 2016. These photos were taken from the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, June 19, at St. Maurice Coptic Orthodox Church. [envira-gallery id=”11223″]
Reception for Newly Consecrated Auxiliary Bishops
On Saturday, June 18, the Diocese will joyfully receive the newly consecrated auxiliary bishops, His Grace Bishop Abraham and His Grace Bishop Kyrillos, alongside our beloved father, His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion, at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Los Angeles. The reception will begin at 7:30p, God willing. Additionally, the hierarchs will celebrate the Feast of Pentecost together on Sunday, June 19, at St. Maurice Coptic Orthodox Church in Pomona. The service will begin around – …
Pentecost and the Gift of Unity
This weekend, our Mother, the Holy Church, guides us in the celebration of the Feast of Pentecost, the feast on which the Holy Spirit descended like tongues of fire upon the Holy Apostles and other disciples of our Lord in the Upper Room. The scene is described beautifully in the Book of Acts: “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a – …