The Diocese joyfully announces its annual Pre-Marital Couples Retreat from Friday, December 11 to Sunday, December 13 at the Coptic Village in Big Bear Lake. This retreat is intended for Christian couples seeking enrichment before their marriage and comprised of a series of lectures, discussions, and workshops led by the Hegumen Father Gawargious Kolta. Topics include: The Christian Concept of Marriage The Engagement Period Premarital Questionnaire Eight Important Factors in a Strong Marriage Necessity of – …

Through the blessings and prayers of our beloved father H.G. Bishop Serapion, the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles joyfully announces two retreats aimed at counseling those who are about to get married as well as those who are already married. Fifth Annual Premarital Retreat Fifth Annual Marital Enrichment Retreat Complete information and application forms are available at the links above.

“Here am I and the Children Whom the Lord has given me.” (Is. 8:18) Children are a gift from God, as it is written in the Psalms, "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward." (Ps. 127:3) Parents have a responsibility towards their children, as St. Paul wrote, "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition – …

The words of St. Paul to his disciple, Timothy, were very strange, when he told him, “ I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also” (2Tim.1:5). Is faith inherited? The very genuine faith in the heart of Timothy, the son, was the very same faith as that living in the heart of his – …

This article presents the Christian understanding of marriage, based on St. John Chrysostom’s homilies. Although he lived in the 4th and early 5th centuries, yet his teachings are pertinent to every generation and present the best understanding of what a Christian marriage should be like. The general Orthodox Christian view is that God created humanity in His own image and likeness as male and female with the intent that they should live together in harmony. – …

Those who command warlike armies, and have won for themselves martial glory, whenever the time for battle has arrived, instruct the troops under their orders in what way, arraying themselves manfully against the phalanxes of the enemy, they will gain a triumphant victory. And the Savior of all, imitating the skillfulness of those here mentioned, very clearly shows unto all who would follow Him, the pathway of spiritual vigor; that advancing with unrestrainable impetuosity unto – …