Copts Mourn Innocent Christians Killed By Egyptian Army
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. – …
Media Advisory for the February 27 Day of Prayer and Solidarity
LOS ANGELES – In the wake of the popular uprising that overthrew Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Egypt now stands at a crossroads with unprecedented opportunity to build a democratic society. Southern California Coptic Christians support the aim of their Coptic brothers and sisters in Egypt: to help create a new government that is fair and equitable to all citizens, ensures human rights for everyone and rejects extremism and discrimination in all forms.But many in the – …
Statement of His Grace Bishop Serapion Concerning the 1/1/11 Alexandria Terrorist Attack
Our beloved children of the ChurchBlessings and peace with you all, Wishing you all a blessed and happy new year.As we are continuing to witness the repercussions of the terrorist attack on the Saints Church of Alexandria, that claimed the life of tens of martyrs and left tens more wounded; with an overwhelming feeling of sadness, confidence, and peace. We are saddened that evil has dominated the souls of those who carried out this horrid attack – …
Statement from the Diocese of Los Angeles
Read the Statement in EnglishRead the Statement in Arabic Statement re 12-11-10 Gathering – Arabic.pdf558.1 KBStatement re 12-11-10 Gathering – English.pdf810.2 KB
Official Statement from the 12/14 Day of Prayer and Solidarity
We, the Coptic Orthodox bishops in the United States, called for a day of prayer and solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are suffering in Egypt on Tuesday December 14th, 2010. The prayer was held in Saint Vartan’s Armenian Orthodox Cathedral in Manhattan, N.Y. from 10.30a.m.-12.30p.m.The prayer was attended by the Coptic Orthodox bishops in the United States, more than fifty Coptic Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox priests, and many thousands of parishioners. Dignitaries, hierarchs – …
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. – …
Joint Press Release on the Photographing of the Lord’s Brethren and Orphans
Our Beloved, the Blessed Children of the Holy Church, Peace and grace from our God and Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. It gives us great pleasure to see how the Church’s children living abroad are greatly concerned about helping our needy brothers and sisters in Egypt , especially the orphans. We find that it is written in the Holy Bible, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Fr. is this: to visit orphans and – …
Declaration Against Same-Sex Marriage
In August 2003, the Coptic Orthodox Church, through the leadership of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and the Holy Synod, issued a formal declaration against homosexuality and same-sex marriage. In part, the declaration stated, Same-sex marriage is against the Divine Plan for marriage and its purpose of procreation. “But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined – …
Diocese Issues Press Release About Student Starvation Claim
March 7, 2008–-In response to a recent news story about Jonathan McCullum, a U.S. Exchange Student who claimed he was starved by a Coptic Christian family due to church fasts, the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii clarifies as follows: Although the Church strongly encourages her believers to observe periods of fasting according to Apostolic Tradition, fasting is a voluntary spiritual sacrifice. The Church does not impose her fasting days on anyone. – …