Father Mina Iskander of the Southern Diocese Rested in the Lord
With faith and a firm hope in the resurrection, the Diocese offers condolences for the departure of Father Mina Iskander of St. Pishoy Church in Antioch, Tennessee. Although Fr. Mina served in the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States, he received treatment at the UCLA Medical Center for the past two months. Many of the clergy and congregation of the diocese saw Fr. Mina and received his blessing before his departure.The funeral service – …
Diocese Pre-Marital Retreat
The Diocese is pleased to announce the Pre-Marital Retreat for couples on the path towards marriage. The retreats will cover important aspects regarding the Engagement Period as well as Marital Relationships. The Reverend Father Gawargious Kolta will address a broad range of topics and issues related to the Mystery of Marriage and the engagement period. This year’s retreat will be held at the Coptic Village from Friday, December 3 to Sunday, December 5. Registration costs – …
The 10th Annual Toy Drive
The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles announces the 10th Annual Toy Drive benefitting the Toys for Tots foundation. This year the Diocese Toy Drive will run from October 31st through December 19th. The Diocese Toy Drive is a great way to bring a smile to a young child this Christmas. Your charitable donation of NEW unwrapped toys will help bring a smile to a needy child and spread the spirit of giving this Nativity. “So let each one give as he purposes – …
Highlights of the Second Annual Diocese Servants' Meeting
On Saturday, October 2, 2010, the servants of the Diocese participated in the Second Annual Diocese Servants’ Meeting under the auspices of our beloved bishop, His Grace Bishop Serapion, and our honored guest speaker, His Grace Bishop Thomas of El Quosia.The day commenced with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy with Their Graces and several diocese clergy. After brunch, the servants were blessed to hear a spiritual word from Bishop Thomas on the importance of – …
Diocese Participates in Joint Oriental Orthodox Meeting
On Tuesday, September 28, 2010, His Grace Bishop Serapion and members of the diocese clergy participated in the Annual Joint Oriental Orthodox Liturgy and Meeting in Los Angeles. This year, the gathering was hosted St. Ephraim Syrian Orthodox Church with His Eminence Metropolitan Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan of the Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of the West, His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirosian of the Armenian Orthodox Western Diocese presiding. In addition, clergy from the Coptic, Syrian, and – …
Technology Updates from Around the Diocese
Over the past few months, several parishes and servants from around the diocese have worked diligently to bring the richness of the Coptic Orthodox Church to the devices and gadgets people use every day, such as iPhones and iPads. Here are some updates concerning what’s new and updated in technology from around the diocese.1. iAlhan App ReleasedA wonderful new application called iAlhan was released through St. Mercurious and St. Abraam Coptic Church in Torrance. This – …
Diocese Expresses Solidarity with Russian People and Church over Wildfires
In the summer months of 2010, the land of Russia was afflicted by an extraordinary number of wildfires, their number surpassed only by their intensity. More than one-hundred villages were destroyed by the fires, at least 50 people died, and thousands were left homeless.Out of a sense of love for, and solidarity with, the Russian people, and after a global appeal by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, the Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii made – …
Mahragan Al Keraza Competition 2010 Results
On Saturday, August 28, many children from almost every parish in the Diocese participated in the Mahragan Al Keraza Spiritual Competition for children in grades 1-5. The competition took place at St. Mary and St. Athanasius Church in Northridge, California under the auspices of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and our beloved father, His Grace Bishop Serapion. Attending the event with His Grace were several priests, clergy, and servants from the various parishes of the – …
Youth Spiritual Competition 2010 Results
With God’s grace, the youth of the Diocese of Los Angeles participated in the annual Youth Spiritual Competition on Saturday, August 21, 2010. The competition was graciously hosted by the priests and congregation of St. John Church in Covina under the auspices and guidance of our beloved father, His Grace Bishop Serapion. Also in attendance were several diocesan priests, including Fr. Gregory Bishay, Fr. Boules Baky, Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim, Fr. Moses Samaan, Fr. David Abdelsayed, – …
Update on Mahragan Al Keraza Media Project (3-5th Grade)
Below, please find some clarification regarding the media project portion of the Mahragan Al Keraza Competition for the 3-5th grade level from the YSC Committee.The Media Project1. It is not mandatory (but there is are special awards for it)2. Should be in DVD or CD format3. 10 minutes in length maximum4. Must have a CLEAR message about being faithful5. Can be song, video, short skit, – …
GYP Convention – Defending the Faith without Offending It (Oct. 7-10)
It’s time again for the annual Diocese of Los Angeles and Hawaii Graduates and Young Professionals Convention! Graduate students and young professionals from California and the rest of the United States come together to grow in knowledge, spirituality, and fellowship. This year we have some very important speakers coming to discuss with us how to defend our faith without offending our faith. With persecution of the church growing all over the world and where our – …
His Grace and Diocese Clergy Attend North American Coptic Clergy Seminar
From August 2-4, His Grace Bishop Serapion and the diocese clergy participated in the 2010 North American Coptic Clergy Seminar (NACCS) at St. Mary’s Vineyard in Charlton, Massachusetts.Our beloved father, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, arrived to the seminar accompanied by 21 metropolitans and bishops in good spirits on Monday and received all of the North American clergy and their families. His Holiness proceeded to deliver several spiritual words to the clergy with much time – …