New to Orthodoxy

A guide for visitors, catechumens, and anyone learning about the Coptic Orthodox faith.

Orthodox Catechism Class

Orthodox Catechism Class announcement

The Coptic Orthodox Faith

A brief overview of the Holy Trinity, Christ, Scripture, the saints, and the Nicene Creed.

The Coptic Orthodox Church has preserved the Christian faith in its pure and unchanged form since the beginning of Christianity in Egypt, as preached by the Apostle Mark in A.D. 43.

This catechism course explores the foundational biblical texts and the writings of the early Christians, providing a comprehensive understanding of the Christian faith.

The Holy Trinity: We believe in one God - the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus Christ

  • Fully God & Fully Human (Miaphysite)
  • Eternal with the Father (Uncreated)
  • The Only Savior of the World

The Scriptures: We believe the Holy Scriptures are the inspired and infallible Word of God.

No worship of the Saints: The Coptic Orthodox Church does not, and has never, worshipped the saints. Instead, it honors them as heroes of faith who serve as examples for the faithful.

  • James 5:16, Matthew 22:31-32

Statement of Faith:

  • The Nicene Creed: Our faith is summarized in the Nicene Creed, the historic confession of the universal Christian Church in the council of Nicaea 325 AD.

Becoming Coptic Orthodox Christian

The process of becoming Coptic Orthodox typically takes approximately 6 months to complete.

You may join the catechism class at any time, as the course operates on a repeating cycle. Since each class is independent, you can begin at any point in the cycle and continue until you have completed all the sessions.

Requirements

  1. 1
    Complete the Catechism Course
    • Classes are held every Saturday at 4:30 PM.
    • Attendance is taken weekly. Please make sure your name is recorded each week so your attendance can be counted.
  2. 2
    Complete the Weekly Readings
    • Weekly readings will be sent through WhatsApp and should be completed each week.
  3. 3
    Attend the Divine Liturgy Regularly
    • Regular attendance at the Sunday Divine Liturgy is required throughout the course.
    • A worship guide pamphlet is available in the back of the seats or at the church entrance.
    • When you arrive, please sit toward the front of the church whenever possible. Back rows are designated for families with children.
  4. 4
    Complete the Questionnaire
    • An open book questionnaire must be completed after finishing the course.
  5. 5
    Optional Additional Meetings

    Additional Weekly Meetings

    Sunday

    Fellowship Meeting for Young Professionals and English Adults

    11:30 AM-12:30 PM at St. Stephen House 🏠

    Monday

    Homeless and Assisted Living Outreach

    7:00-8:00 PM

    Followed by fellowship at Chick-fil-A at 8:30 PM.

    Locations and details can be found here.

    Wednesday

    Book Club: Reading the Early Christian Church Fathers

    7:30 PM at St. Stephen House

    This meeting is currently on hold for the summer and will resume on 08/12.

    Friday

    Bible Study / Spiritual Meeting

    8:30 PM for college students and older adults at St. Stephen House.

    Online Resources on our YouTube channel: Bible Studies, Podcasts, and Orthodox Faith.

    Visit YouTube

Sunday Service Guide

Preparing for Sunday Service

A practical guide to the Divine Liturgy, common words and practices, and Holy Communion.

The word liturgy means “the work of the people” and is the original form of the ancient Christian worship. The liturgy includes prayers, hymns (Coptic, Greek, English), readings from the scripture, sermon, worship, and finally receiving the Holy Communion, the true Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Sunday Divine Liturgy is conducted primarily in English - approximately 95% - making it accessible and spiritually enriching for all attendees. A few Coptic hymns are included at the beginning and during the Scripture readings. These hymns are not only a cherished part of our worship but also a vital expression of our Coptic Orthodox identity, preserving the ancient beauty and sacred tradition handed down through generations.

In the Orthodox Church, long hymns aren't about length for its own sake, they're about depth. They help us slow down and enter into the mystery of God's presence. Just like the Psalms or the heavenly worship described in Revelation, our hymns are rich with Scripture and theology. They’re not rushed because love isn’t rushed. When we sing these hymns, we’re not just performing, we're praying, meditating, and joining the eternal praise of heaven. It's a spiritual journey, not a performance.

Galatians 3:1 “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?”

The Greek word for “portrayed” (proegraphē) literally means “publicly displayed or vividly depicted,” often used to describe something written or drawn out clearly.

God Himself ordered to decorate His house with paintings and drawings.

References: 1 Kings 6:29-35, 2 Chronicles 3:7, 14, Exodus 25:18-20, Exodus 26:1.

More about this is discussed in the catechism class on Saturday.

Common Practices during the Liturgy

Where to stand?

You may notice that men and women stand on opposite sides of the church (Women on the right and men on the left). This is an ancient practice dating back to the early church.

How do I follow along?

There are overhead screens/monitors to help you follow the prayers.

Incense

Burned to represent prayers rising to God in heaven based on Revelation 8:3-4.

The Altar

A table inside the sanctuary where the bread and wine are kept for the entire service.

Hebrews 13:10 and 1 Corinthians 9:13

Holy Kiss

Shortly after the sermon, the deacon will call everyone to “Greet one another with a Holy Kiss.” This is meant to fulfill Matthew 5:24. Before receiving the Holy Communion, we extend our hands to one another as a sign of peace.

Romans 16:16: “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” 1 Corinthians 16:20: “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”

Common Words during the Liturgy

Key-ryalison

Lord have mercy.

Pantocrator

Almighty.

Agios

Holy.

Holy Communion

Near the end of the service, the priest will distribute the Holy Communion. To participate in communion, you are required to be:

  1. 1.Baptized into the Coptic Orthodox Faith or any of the Oriental Orthodox Churches
  2. 2.Actively participating in the sacrament of confession
  3. 3.Abstaining from food and water from midnight

Worship Structure

Liturgy Layout

The Divine Liturgy is for the Christian, the meeting place of Heaven and Earth. In it the earthly gifts of bread and wine, symbolic of earthly life, become the Body and Blood of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and those who partake of this food for the soul are joined in a mystical life with Christ. So through the Divine Liturgy, the Life of Christ is extended into the every-day lives of His children.

“Choosing the bread and wine”

  1. 1.Prayers from the psalms.
  2. 2.The priest stands outside the sanctuary to choose the bread and wine while the people are chanting “Key-ryalison” “Lord have mercy.”
  3. 3.Thanksgiving prayers.
  4. 4.The priest steps outside the sanctuary and prays the absolution while everyone is bowing or sitting down.

“Hymns, Scriptures Reading, and the Sermon”

  1. 1.The hymn of intercessions.
  2. 2.A reading from the letters of St. Paul.
  3. 3.A reading from one of the other letters (James, Peter, John, or Jude).
  4. 4.A short hymn.
  5. 5.A reading from the Book of Acts.
  6. 6.Synxarium: biographies of the martyrs/saints. On everyday of the Coptic calendar we commemorate the departure of one or more of the saints.
  7. 7.The hymn of Agios “Holy.”
  8. 8.The priest prays the litany (supplication) of the Gospel as preparation for the Gospel reading.
  9. 9.The deacon chants verses from the psalms and reads a passage from the Gospel. (Everyone stands)
  10. 10.The Sermon (Everyone sits down)
  11. 11.Short hymn "Gospel response"

“The priests, deacons, and congregation worship together through chanting and proclaim the story of God's salvation, glorify Him, and prepare for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist through prayers rooted in the Gospel.”

Note for Newcomers: Don't worry if you don't know the hymns or prayers. Just follow along, listen, and pray with us. At this point, all the hymns are chanted in English using simple, short melodies that are easy to pick up. You'll become familiar with them over time!

  1. 1.The Creed “We believe in One God...”
  2. 2.Reconciliation prayer: At the end of this part, the deacon calls everyone to greet one another (Holy kiss).
  3. 3.The Anaphora “Lifting up”: The priest starts with “The Lord be with you all.” This part describes the majesty and greatness of God.
  4. 4.Agios: This part talks about the story of Salvation.
  5. 5.Institutional prayer: selected quotes from the Gospels when the Lord instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist “communion”. At the end of this part, the deacon calls everyone to worship God, the people bow or sit down, the priest calls the Holy Spirit to descend on the bread and wine to transform them into the Body and Blood of Christ.
  6. 6.Seven litanies: Peace, Pope/bishops, priests/deacons, mercy, place, air/rivers/plants/fruits/poor/widows/orphans, oblations.
  7. 7.Commemoration of the saints: mentioning the names of the heroes of faith.
  8. 8.The Fraction: based on the church feasts/fasts. Ends with the Lord’s prayer “Our Father who art in heaven...”
  9. 9.Confession of faith “Amen Amen....”
  10. 10.People proceed to the side sanctuaries for communion: Deacons, men, women, respectively.
  11. 11.Communion is for those who were baptized in one of the following churches: Coptic Orthodox, Eritrean Orthodox Church, Syrian Orthodox Church, Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Armenian Orthodox Church, Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church.

Helpful Resources

Resources

A starting place for Bible studies, podcasts, Orthodox faith material, books, apps, and web resources.

Apps and Web Resources

Helpful tools for Scripture, liturgy, and Orthodox media.