His Eminence Speaks at Southern Region Servants’ Meeting
On Sunday, April 10, 2016, His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion addressed a group of servants from around the Southern Region of the Diocese (including Orange County, San Diego, and surrounding areas) at their bimonthly meeting. His Eminence’s lecture, “The Spiritual Growth of a Servant”, discussed the dynamic nature of the spiritual life and its goal and direction: perfection in Christ. It also provided practical advice for growth in loving those whom we serve, growth in our – …
ACTS Launches Servants’ Preparation Program
St. Athanasius and St. Cyril Coptic Orthodox Theological School joyfully announces the launch of the Servants Preparation Program for the Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California and Hawaii. This program is designed to provide existing and future servants of the Diocese with basic knowledge and fundamental building blocks for service. This program consists of 10 courses that can be taken between 6 months and 2 years, depending of the number of units registered for per semester. – …
The Mission of the Twelve
Our Lord Jesus Christ has appointed certain men to be guides and teachers of the world and stewards of his divine mysteries. Now he bids them to shine out like lamps and to cast out their light not only over the land of the Jews but over every country under the sun and over people scattered in all directions and settled in distant lands. That man has spoken truly who said: No one takes honor – …
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 – …
Who is the Orthodox Servant?
On November 29, 2009, servants of the churches in the southern region of the Diocese gathered at St. Mary and St. Verena Coptic Orthodox Church in Anaheim for a Servants’ Meeting. His Grace Bishop Serapion opened the meeting with a prayer followed by a lecture entitled "Who is the Orthodox Servant?" This lecture addressed stereotypes concerning practices and attitudes in the service that are considered Orthodox and not Orthodox. His Grace taught the gathering that – …
The Role of Women in the Church (Part II)
Often times, females in our Church feel left out and ignored. Is this a correct feeling? Does the Church really propagate such an idea in Her teachings? In addressing the issue of the role of women in the Church, we have to distinguish between Holy Tradition and customs that are influenced by culture and do not spring from the true spirit of Christianity. There are popular traditions which are linked to various cultures or families. – …
The Role of Women in the Church (Part I)
Often times, females in our Church feel left out and ignored. Is this a correct feeling? Does the Church really propagate such an idea in Her teachings? In addressing the issue of the role of women in the Church, we have to distinguish between Holy Tradition and customs that are influenced by culture and do not spring from the true spirit of Christianity. There are popular traditions which are linked to various cultures or families. – …
Power in the Service of God
"I write to you, youth because you are strong and the word of God is abiding in you and you have overcome the evil one." (1 John 2:14). We should be strong, especially youth, because we were created in the image of God. God is not only strong and mighty, but Almighty. The Church reminds us of this quality of the Divinity. During Holy Week, we recite each day "Thine is the Power;" we declare – …
The Care of a Servant
Excerpts from a talk given to the servants of the Diocese at St. George’s church on August 24, 2000 Our Lord God said to His disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you and you will be witnesses to Me in all Judea, Samaria, and all the earth.” How can I be a witness to the Lord? This is the question. You may be a witness through your own life, through – …