On September 20, 2012, the Clergy Synod of the Diocese of Los Angeles convened to discuss the recent disturbing news that His Grace Bishop Serapion was subpoenaed by the Egyptian Attorney General over his alleged involvement in the misguided film, The Innocence of Muslims. The news was particularly disturbing in light of the fact that Bishop Serapion, as well as the locum tenens of the See of St. Mark, His Eminence Metropolitan Bakhomious, made it very clear that – …

On Monday, September 17, 2012 at 11:00 a.m., the Muslim Public Affairs Council and the Coptic Orthodox Church, Diocese of Los Angeles, will hold a joint press conference to stand together in strongly condemning all violent reactions that have been playing out over the past several days in the Middle East. SEE: “MPAC Condemns Attacks on U.S. Embassies, Calls for Protection of All U.S. Personnel” (mpac.org) ALSO SEE: “Urgent Press Release: Diocese Condemns Inflammatory Film – …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — We strongly condemn the brutal murder of the United States ambassador to Libya and three of the embassy employees. In order for peace to reign throughout the world, brutality and hatred must be swiftly condemned and punished. Hope must be brought to desperate places, kindness and mercy must be given a chance. However, hope will not thrive in the midst of hatred and violence. Therefore, those who are responsible for this brutal – …

Over the past week, many Coptic families in Dahshur, Giza, Egypt have suffered physical violence and political injustice as they were forced to leave their homes because of sectarian violence. Photo of destruction in Dahshur. Courtesy AINA. The strife began because of an argument between a Coptic ironer and his disgruntled Muslim customer that escalated to the level of the entire town. Over 120 Coptic Christian families were forcibly expelled while security forces stood by and – …

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, H.H. Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, H.H. Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Orthodox Church and H.H. Abuna Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, give thanks to God for bringing us together – …

Before the Pope began his weekly sermon, he gave his condolences to the congregation for the Maspiro Martyrs. “Those that protested peacefully without bearing arms”, he continued referring to those who were killed, “walked from Shubra to Maspiro in the open, without weapons, full of courage.” The crowd responded loudly with chants saying “Raise your head up, you are Coptic”, a slogan that has become popular during Coptic protests. He confirmed 24 dead and over – …

LOS ANGELES – Deeply grieved by the slaughter of innocent Coptic Christian protesters by Egyptian army tanks that plowed through crowds near Shubra (Maspero) last weekend, the Copts of Los Angeles invite Christians worldwide to advocate for a peaceful Egypt by joining them in three days of prayer and fasting that began Tuesday, Oct. 11. Following prayer and fasting, the Coptic Orthodox Christian Diocese of Los Angeles is participating in a peaceful demonstration 2-4 p.m. – …

NEW YORK – At the Fall 2011 meet­ing of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Ortho­dox Arch­dio­cese of Amer­ica, the Most Rev­erend Mem­bers of the Holy Synod unan­i­mously adopted the fol­low­ing statement: “On behalf of the faith­ful Clergy and Laity of the Greek Ortho­dox Arch­dio­cese of Amer­ica, we, the Mem­bers of the Holy Eparchial Synod, cog­nizant of our respon­si­bil­ity to speak the truth in love, hereby state and declare our sin­cere sup­port for the pious Cop­tic – …

The Russian Orthodox Church has followed the developments in Egypt with concern and bitterness. Blood has been spilt and Christian churches have been destroyed again. There is another manifestation of growing intolerance towards Christians and their legal and physical vulnerability in the Egyptian society. Our Church knows from her recent history what the suffering of innocent people and destruction of churches are. We raise our voice in defence of our Egyptian brothers in faith and – …

In response to the recent tragic events at Maspiro on October 9, 2011, in which several Copts were killed and scores more injured, various Coptic organizations are planning to stage a peaceful demonstration and protest in front of the Federal Building in Los Angeles on Sunday, October 16 after the Divine Liturgies in our parish churches. Details What: Peaceful Demonstration and Protest in Response to Violence against Copts Why: To raise awareness of the plight – …

Over 100,000 Coptic Egyptian Christians gathered in peaceful protest and to stage a sit-in outside the Egyptian state television building along the Nile, on Sunday, October 9, 2011. The sit-in was a culmination of protests that took place over the last week in Cairo and other cities across Egypt. The Copts, a large Christian minority of about 15 million, were angered over numerous increasing attacks that have resulted in the destruction of many churches. The – …

In response to the recent tragic events in Egypt, which are only the latest in a series of events targeting Coptic Christians with violence and injustice on account of their faith, His Grace Bishop Serapion has called for all of his children in this Christ-loving Diocese to spend one week of fasting and prayer for the sake of our brothers and sisters in Egypt beginning on Monday, October 17 and ending on Friday, October 21. – …