Coptic Orthodox Church
Every year since the year 284 A.D., the Coptic New Year has been celebrating our Christian martyrs as illustrious heroes and champions. Neither systematic persecution, nor harassment, nor oppression, nor threats dissuaded these faithful people from refusing to deny their faith in Christ, the Savior of the world, for which they willing gave up their lives. These heroes include a gamut of distinguished theologians, clergy, laymen, laywomen, elderly, and even children. Their strength of character emerged at the most pivotal times in their lives. When confronted with a life or death decision based on their faith, they perceived the ultimatum of choosing death a far more lucrative choice than an extension of life on earth by denying Christ. Thus, they endured tortures, pains, separation from loved ones, and a brutal death for their love for Christ and an eternal life with Him.
St. Mary Fast
August 7th - August 21st
August 7 marks the start of the Fast of St. Mary. This is a two-week fast (fish permitted) that helps prepare us for the Feast of the Assumption on August 22. The Virgin is the blessed saint, whose blessing is continuous throughout the generations, as it has been mentioned in her hymn: "For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed" (Luke 1:46). The Church calls the Virgin by the surname of "the queen". This was mentionned by the psalm, about her: "At Your right hand stands the queen" (Ps. 45:9). That is why, many artists, when they draw the pictures of the Virgin, they put a crown on her head, and she appears in the image, on the right side of the Lord Christ. The reverence of the Virgin appears in the salutation of the archangel Gabriel to her: "Peace to you, O you full of grace, "the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women" (Luke 1:28). That is, with a special blessing, to which also saint Elisabeth gave testimony. "Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb" (Luke 1:42).
Our Priests
Fr. Moussa Saleh
Fr. Moussa Saleh is serving at St. George Church since October 1997, he was ordained by H. G. Bishop Youssef, Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern USA. To contact Fr. Moussa, call/text at (813) 857-5725 or email
Fr. Joshua Gerges
Fr. Joshua Gerges is also serving at St. George Church since October 2016, he was ordained by H. G. Bishop Youssef, Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern USA. To contact Fr. Joshua, call/Text at (615) 403-7141 or email
