An RSS feed of the press releases released on the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States website http://www.suscopts.org/resources/literature http://www.suscopts.org/press/2024/mar/09/incorrect-8-week-great-fast-claimsCOLLEYVILLE, TX. March 9, 2024 -- Incorrect 8-Week Great Fast Claims There is a common belief that the introductory week in the Coptic Church began as the 'Week of Heraclius'. After Emperor Heraclius reclaimed Jerusalem from the Sasanian (Persian) Empire in 628 AD, he performed a mass slaughter of Jews for allegedly helping the Sasanians and persecuting Christians in Jerusalem. Patriarch Zacharias of Jerusalem initiated this week-long fast as atonement for Heraclius. It was an agreement for retribution. The claim is that the Coptic Church agreed to observe this fast and still practices it today. There are four main ...Sat, 09 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/press/2024/jan/28/priest-ordination-maitland-flCOLLEYVILLE, TX. January 28, 2024 -- On Sunday, January 28, 2024, the diocese was blessed with the ordination of Fr. Jonathan Habib for the St. Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church in Maitland, FL as H.E. Metropolitan Youssef performed the "laying of the hands" with the presence of H.G. Bishop Basil and H.G. Bishop Gregory. This blessed event was attended by some of the Diocese priests, visiting priests and laymen, and the Orlando community. We pray that the Lord will grant Fr. Jonathan wisdom, love, and peace as he begins his new service."The work of the priesthood is done on earth, but ...Sun, 28 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/press/2023/aug/20/priest-ordination-colleyville-tx-fr-noah-hannaCOLLEYVILLE, TX. August 20, 2023 -- On Sunday, August 20, 2023, the diocese was blessed with the ordination of Fr. Noah Hanna for the St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church in Colleyville, TX as H.E. Metropolitan Youssef performed the "laying of the hands" with the presence of H.G. Bishop Basil and H.G. Bishop Gregory. This blessed event was attended by some of the Diocese priests, visiting priests and laymen, and the Dallas community. We pray that the Lord will grant Fr. Noah wisdom, love, and peace as he begins his new service."The work of the priesthood is done on earth, but ...Sun, 20 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/press/2023/jul/23/priest-ordination-la-vergne-tn-fr-makary-boutrosCOLLEYVILLE, TX. July 23, 2023 -- On Sunday, July 23, 2023, the diocese was blessed with the ordination of Fr. Makary Boutros for the Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church in La Vergne, TN as H.E. Metropolitan Youssef performed the "laying of the hands" with the presence of H.G. Bishop Peter, H.G. Bishop Basil and H.G. Bishop Gregory. This blessed event was attended by some of the Diocese priests, visiting priests and laymen, and the Nashville community. We pray that the Lord will grant Fr. Makary wisdom, love, and peace as he begins his new service."The work of the priesthood is ...Sun, 23 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/press/2023/jun/18/priest-ordination-katy-tx-fr-george-salamaCOLLEYVILLE, TX. June 18, 2023 -- On Sunday, June 18, 2023, the diocese was blessed with the ordination of Fr. George Salama for the St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Katy, TX as H.E. Metropolitan Youssef performed the "laying of the hands" with the presence of H.G. Bishop Basil and H.G. Bishop Gregory. This blessed event was attended by some of the Diocese priests, visiting priests and laymen, and the Katy/Houston community. We pray that the Lord will grant Fr. George wisdom, love, and peace as he begins his new service."The work of the priesthood is done on earth, but ...Sun, 18 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/press/2023/apr/26/statement-regarding-sudan-from-his-eminenceCOLLEYVILLE, TX. April 26, 2023 -- The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States stands in full solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Sudan. We lift our prayers in supplication, asking the King of Peace to grant peace and protection to the country of Sudan and to our Coptic people in the Coptic Orthodox Dioceses of Omdurman, and Khartoum, and in South Sudan, where an internal War started on Bright Saturday morning and continues to this day. Hundreds of families have fled their houses due to the internal conflict, and many remain trapped in their homes with shortages ...Wed, 26 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/press/2023/apr/02/please-beware-of-impersonationCOLLEYVILLE, TX. April 2, 2023 -- Beaware of impersonaltion.Someone is impersonating to be Coptic priest named Fr. Karas Youssef who is claiming that he is being sent by Anba Youssef and asking for money. His Eminence has no idea who is this person. Thus we strongly urge that if you do come across this individual to please report him to the authorities immediately. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. ...Sun, 02 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/press/2023/mar/28/his-eminence-covenant-school-shootingCOLLEYVILLE, TX. March 28, 2023 -- The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States and the Community in Nashville stand in solidarity with the families, staff, and the community of the Covenant School affected by the deadly shooting on Monday, March 27, 2023 » Read a message from His Eminence ...Tue, 28 Mar 2023 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/press/2022/aug/08/the-coptic-months-of-mesore-and-thooutCOLLEYVILLE, TX. August 8, 2022 -- A message concerning the Coptic months of Mesore and Thoout. This year the Coptic month of Mesore has 5 Sundays. The fifth Sunday will be Mesore 29, in which we will pray in the joyful tune but we will read the readings of the Sunday of the Little Month. Also this year the Coptic month of Thoout will have 5 Sundays. Thus the readings will be as follows: 1st Sunday, Thoout 1, we will read the readings of Thoout 1 (the Feast of Nayrouz) 2nd Sunday, ...Mon, 08 Aug 2022 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/press/2022/jun/15/global-coptic-day-2022-winnersCOLLEYVILLE, TX. June 15, 2022 -- Thanks be to God for all the entries. Congratulations to all the winners!! May God reward every single person who took the time and effort to submit a video. If you like to see their videos, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalCopticDay/ 1st Category – Up to 8 Years Old 1st Place - Manuela Wahba - 8 Years Old - St. Mark Coptic Church Prosper, TX 2nd Place - Youssef Keriokos - 7 Years Old - Pope Kyrillos VI Coptic Church - Nashville, Tennessee ...Wed, 15 Jun 2022 12:00:00 +0000