A Message to All Copts from His Holiness the Pope concerning Receiving the Egyptian President and Dignitaries
The dignity of Egypt is expressed by the dignity and honorable reception of Egypt’s President as His Excellence deserves. Many people can be victimized as a result of wrong and incorrect information fed by the media that publish lies and slanders against the true lives of Egyptians, both Copts and Muslims. We know well our society, and cannot at all accept what gives a wrong reflection of our society through articles, comments, and statements which – …
Bishop Serapion Congratulates Egyptian People on the Success of June 30 Revolution
The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, led by His Grace, Bishop Serapion, congratulates the Egyptian people for the historic showing of millions of Egyptian citizens demanding to be heard. It was not a military coup, but rather a popular uprising in which the military implemented the will of the people of Egypt. “Through the admirable youth efforts and peaceful demonstrations, the will of the people has finally been heard,” said Bishop Serapion. “We are – …
Joint Statement of the Diocese and the Muslim Public Affairs Council
The Diocese of Los Angeles, under the auspices of His Grace Bishop Serapion, and the Muslim Public Affairs Council jointly issued a statement on September 17, 2012 responding to the tragic film, The Innocence of Muslims, and the subsequent violence and persecution. The statement says, We collectively condemn desecration directed at any religion, namely the anti- Muslim film “Innocence of Muslims.” We strongly reject any humiliation or ridicule directed at the tenets or the respected figures – …
Thousands Sign Petition Supporting Bishop Serapion
On Sunday, September 23, 2012, the children of the Diocese of Los Angeles and the Diocese of the Southern United States enthusiastically signed a petition in Arabic and English supporting our beloved father, His Grace Bishop Serapion. Specifically, the petition was made against the wholly baseless and inappropriate accusation from the Egyptian Attorney General that Bishop Serapion or the Diocese was in any way involved in the film, The Innocence of Muslims. The English translation stated: – …
Diocese Clergy Issues Statement Supporting Bishop Serapion Against False Accusations
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 – …
Diocese and Muslim Public Affairs Council to Hold Joint Press Conference on Monday, September 17
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 – …
Statement by the President on the Celebration of Coptic Christmas
Michelle and I wish Coptic Orthodox Christians in the United States and around the world a blessed and joyous Christmas. On this special day, we give thanks for the extraordinary contributions that Coptic Christians have made to the United States. I want to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to work for the protection of Christian and other religious minorities around the world. As events in Egypt and elsewhere have illustrated, and as history – …
George Washington University Survey of Copts in the Diaspora
The Diocese encourages all her children to participate in a study of Copts living outside of Egypt through the following survey. Please review carefully the message below from GWU Professor Jennifer Brinkerhoof. ______ Given current events in Egypt it is more important than ever that thevoice of the Copts living in diaspora (outside of Egypt) is heard. George Washington University, in conjunction with Coptic Orphans, is conducting the first large scale survey of the Coptic – …
Register to Vote in Egyptian Elections
The Diocese is encouraging all Copts with an Egyptian National ID or new Egyptian passport to register to vote in the upcoming 2011 Egyptian Election. The Egyptian election committee decided that Egyptians living abroad can share in the upcoming election using either with their National ID number or with their new passport which includes the national ID number. In order to vote, you will need to register at the following website between November 10-17, 2011: – …
U.S. Congressman Joseph R. Pitts (R) Address Congress on Plight of Copts in Egypt
In the video below, U.S. Congressman Joseph R. Pitts (R-PA) addresses an open session of Congress on the plight of Egypt’s Christians.
Pastoral Message on the Recent Egyptian Court Ruling on Divorce
On Sunday, May 30, the Supreme Administrative Court in Egypt issued a final decision in the case of a Copt who sued the Church for denying him authorization to remarry in the Church after divorcing his wife. The court decreed that the Egyptian constitution guarantees his right to remarry in the Church. This decision, however, is contrary to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures and the Orthodox Church. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III respectfully rejected – …
Coptic Orthodox Church Condemns Homosexuality, Ordination of Homosexuals and Same-Sex Marriage
COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH PRESS RELEASE FOR RELEASE TO PRINT AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA August 26, 2003 BOSTON, MA (USA)–During its Annual Clergy convention, the leaders of the Coptic Orthodox Church discussed recent issues related to homosexuality. The convention was presided by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark. In attendance were twelve Bishops from North America, Egypt, Australia, Europe; and 180 priests from America, Canada and Australia. – …