Author: admin

  • The Seven Sacraments

    The seven sacraments of the Church, as eloquently put by His Grace Bishop Mettaous of El-Syrian Monastery, are “the channels by which we receive the graces and blessings of the Holy Spirit,” and were instituted by Jesus Christ. The sacraments, also known as “spiritual medicines,” include Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist, Repentance and Confession, Priesthood, Matrimony, and Unction of the Sick. Of these sacraments, the first four are “redemptive,” and necessary for eternal salvation, while the last three are non-redemptive, and unnecessary for eternal salvation. Each sacrament is “an invisible grace we receive by practicing a visible rite” as well as “a visible sign or substance performed by a priest.” For this reason, the sacraments are also referred to as “mysteries.”

    1. Baptism is the first sacrament, and through it we are born again from water and spirit by being submerged in water three times. Baptism results in the admittance of a person into the fellowship of the church.
    2. Chrismation, also known as “Myron,” is the anointing with consecrated oil (Myron) of those newly baptized, and like the rest of the sacraments, is conducted by a priest. Chrism allows for the Holy Spirit to dwell in those who are newly baptized.
    3. The Eucharist, or the Holy Communion, carries “the most sublime grace of all.” The Eucharist is carried out in the Holy Liturgy, during which the bread and wine become the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and in partaking of this Body and Blood, we enter into complete communion with God.
    4. Through the sacrament of Repentance and Confession, we can attain the forgiveness of our sins. True repentance requires contrition and remorse for our sins, genuine intention to improve, strong faith, and finally, verbal confession before a priest.
    5. The gift of serving God is bestowed through the sacrament of Priesthood. There are three ranks in the Priesthood: the order of the deacons, who serve; the order of the Priests, who teach; and the order of the Bishops, who oversee and shepherd. Priesthood is a divine calling, and it is the sacred duty of the priest to guide the salvation of his people.
    6. In the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, the Holy Spirit descends upon the bride and groom and unites them to one body.
    7. In the sacrament of the Unction of the Sick, the priest anoints the sick with oil, cleansing them from physical and psychological ailments. In this sacrament, the priest also prays with the sick and their family.
  • Sunday School End-of-Year Celebration & Picnic Clone

    Sunday School End-of-Year Celebration & Picnic Clone

    We invite all Sunday School students, teachers, and their families to our annual end-of-year celebration! There will be games, awards, and a picnic lunch. More details on the exact park location will be announced soon. God Bless You All

  • New Diaconate Program

    We are Glad to announce and invite members for our new Diaconate training which will begin in first week of July.

  • H.H. Pope Tawadros II Receives Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, Minister of Youth and Sports, and Delegation from the President Gamal Abdel Nasser Scholarship

    H.H. Pope Tawadros II Receives Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, Minister of Youth and Sports, and Delegation from the President Gamal Abdel Nasser Scholarship

    Today (Thursday), H.H. Pope Tawadros II received at the Papal Residence in Cairo, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, Minister of Youth and Sports, accompanied by a delegation of youth participating in the fifth edition of the President Gamal Abdel Nasser Scholarship, which includes participants from various countries around the world.

    His Holiness welcomed Egypt’s guests, praising the spirit of youth and the cultural diversity reflected by the delegation. He gave a comprehensive overview of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the oldest oriental Church, founded by Saint Mark the Evangelist in the first century. The Church continues to uphold its spiritual and national mission to this day, under the leadership of His Holiness, who is the 118th Pope in the line of patriarchs.

    In his speech, Pope Tawadros spoke about Egypt’s geographic and cultural dimensions, highlighting its unique location at the crossroads of three continents and its rich history shaped by seven civilizations. He emphasized that Egypt has always been and still is a source of knowledge, religion, and diversity.

    He went on to discuss the role of the Church in preserving Egyptian identity, pointing out that the Coptic Church played a key role in spreading Christianity in Africa. It established the first theological school in Alexandria and introduced monasticism to the world through Saint Anthony, the first monk in history.

    Pope Tawadros stressed that the Coptic Church is not only a spiritual institution but also a fundamental pillar of Egyptian society. It plays a national and humanitarian role, serving everyone without discrimination and actively contributing to community development projects both within Egypt and abroad—through schools, hospitals, and social programs.

    In his interaction with the youth, His Holiness focused on the importance of building a well-rounded individual through “the mind, the heart, and the hand.” He encouraged the young people to read, travel, and embrace other cultures to develop balanced personalities capable of serving society.

    He affirmed that love is the essential need of every human being, shielding one from hatred and division. “Love never fails,” he said, stressing the need for openness and respect for diversity, and praising the Church’s role in promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue and cooperation.

    His Holiness also pointed to the challenges facing the new generations, including atheism, distorted morals, and misinformation spread on social media. He asserted that holding onto spiritual values and sound education is the way to confront these challenges.

    At the conclusion of the meeting, the youth expressed their gratitude for the wisdom and kindness they experienced from His Holiness and praised the Church’s efforts in supporting peace, dialogue, and service both within Egypt and around the world.

  • H.H. Pope Tawadros II Meets with a Delegation from the Faculty of Theology at the University of Salzburg, Austria

    H.H. Pope Tawadros II Meets with a Delegation from the Faculty of Theology at the University of Salzburg, Austria

    Today, H.H. Pope Tawadros II received at the Papal Residence in St. Bishoy’s Monastery in Wadi El-Natron, a delegation of students from the Faculty of Theology at the University of Salzburg in Austria. The delegation was headed by Professor Dr. Winkler Dietmar, Dean at the University of Salzburg and Professor of Patristic Studies and Ecclesiastical History.

    His Holiness welcomed them, spoke to them about Egypt and its history, gave them an overview of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and invited them to visit the landmarks of the LOGOS Center

  • Seeking Guidance? Have Inquiries? Our New Q&A Platform is Coming Soon!

    Seeking Guidance? Have Inquiries? Our New Q&A Platform is Coming Soon!

    We are pleased to announce that we are developing a dedicated question and answer platform for our beloved Coptic Orthodox community, right here on our website.

    Soon, you will have a space where you can:

    Seek clarification on theological concepts, liturgical practices, or Church history.

    Gain insights from our knowledgeable clergy and fellow faithful members.

    Share your understanding and help others on their spiritual journey.

    We believe this new feature will foster a deeper connection within our community, allowing us to learn and grow in faith together.

    Keep an eye out for updates on the launch of this valuable resource. What questions are on your heart? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below! 👇