Coptic Orthodox Church - Richardson Texas

The Coptic Church is considered to be one of, if not the first, Christian churches that is still in existence. It traces its history back to sometime between 41 and 44 AD as being established by one of the original apostles - St. Mark, the Evangelist. In Alexandria Egypt, St. Mark established the church, ordained one bishop and seven deacons, founded the School of Alexandria, and became a martyr in 68 AD when he was killed by the Romans. 

In 451 AD, the Church split from other Christian churches at the Council of Chalcedon over the nature of Christ. The Coptic Church became part of what is now considered, the 'Non-Chalcedonian Orthodox Churches'.

Copts, as they are called, are unique and distinctive in their beliefs in the predominately Muslim culture of Egypt. They increasingly are targets of ridicule and restrictions in their home country. Copts consider themselves the successors of the ancient Egyptians, the sons of the Pharaohs. Ancient Egyptians embraced Christianity because it, "puts no limits to spiritual progress, for it raises the believers towards the bosom of the Father that they might enjoy the likeness of God, fast communion with Him and acknowledgment of the eternal divine mysteries."

The Coptic Church has a distinctive Pope - of Alexandria, who is based in Cairo. The way the Pope is elected is an interesting process. Candidates who are at least 40 years old and have been monks for over 15 years are voted on by the Holy Synod, the church's highest council. The names of the three candidates with the most votes are written on pieces of paper and one of them is picked by an altar boy. Their current Pope, Tawadros II, is the 118th successor to the apostle Mark.

The role of women is limited - they don't read scripture aloud in church. The highest rank a woman can hold in the church is a Deacon. They can also be nuns, members of parish councils, and contribute to the church in other non-public ways. They can teach children or other women but they do not teach men. 

While most Copts live in Egypt, there are over a million members of the church outside of Egypt; many living and worshiping in the United States. I visited the St. Philopateer Coptic Orthodox Church in Richardson, Texas 

Their Liturgy is formal and traditional and lasts almost 3 hours. Modern day worship services strive to follow the same services that were held in the first century. They ask that all congregants respect the presence of God by dressing modestly and that women cover their heads (I Corinthians 11:5) during the Liturgy service. They have head scarves available at the entrance of the church. Many of the head coverings have the Coptic cross or a picture of their Pope printed on it. The men sit on the right side of the sanctuary and the women on the left. Entrance to the seating is made from the outer side of the aisles and the center aisle is avoided out of respect. At the front were deacons, bishops, and altar boys who assisted in the service. 

Church started at 8:30, but not many people were there at the beginning. They filtered in throughout the service. By the time communion was given, the sanctuary was very full. 

May Good Will and Peace fill your Lives! ~ 1 Peter 1:2

بِمُقْتَضَى عِلْمِ اللهِ الآبِ السَّابِقِ، فِي تَقْدِيسِ الرُّوحِ لِلطَّاعَةِ، وَرَشِّ دَمِ يَسُوعَ الْمَسِيحِ. لِتُكْثَرْ لَكُمُ النِّعْمَةُ وَالسَّلاَمُ.

1بطرس 1 : 2

The liturgical text and directions were projected on an overhead screen in three languages - English, Coptic, and Arabic. Most of the Service was in the Coptic language. The Nicene Creed and sermon were spoken in English. The Abba, or Priest, offered the incense to the altar and gave Communion. Other members of the religious team, bishops and deacons, performed the liturgy chants and sermon. 
 

The sermon talked about the main goals of faith and religion:

• To bring us and others back to Christ
• To use our Time, Talents, & Tithes to - 

• Bring People to God
• Serve God
• Honor God              

Draw on God and All Things are Possible

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, the Communion was given. There are many preparations that one must do to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist or Holy Communion. Only someone baptized from one of the Oriental Orthodox/Non-Chalcedonian Churches may partake of their Holy Communion. Anyone who comes after the Bible reading during the service, should not partake. To receive Communion, the women lined up on the right of the building and the men on the left. People should remove their shoes when approaching the altar for any reason, including Communion. As they reached the entrance to the side room where communion was given, they were handed a handkerchief. The sacrament is placed directly in their mouth then they cover their mouths with the handkerchief until they swallow the sacrament. 

After Holy Communion, the ‘Prayer After Holy Communion’ is read and a prayer of thanksgiving offered to God.

The rituals are far greater than I can even begin to explain here. It was a fascinating service to experience. I found it very similar in structure to the Greek Orthodox Church. 

THANK YOU St. Philopateer Coptic Orthodox Church for allowing me to witness your ancient, sacred service.

St. George Greek Orthodox Church

† † † † † † † † † † Home of the Annual Grecian Festival - St. George Greek Orthodox Church is one of the few Eastern Orthodox Catholic churches in New Mexico.

Between the fourth and tenth centuries, the Greek Orthodox Church separated from the Roman Church to follow the Byzantine Rite. The church teaches that it is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church established by Jesus Christ in his Great Commission with two great sources of authority:

HOLY SCRIPTURE AND HOLY TRADITION
They follow holy Sacraments, which they believe are "the visible means by which they believe are imparted the invisible Grace of the Holy Spirit:"

                                   Obligatory:

1.      Baptism
2.      Chrismation (anointment with holy oil)
3.      Confession
4.      Holy Communion
Optional:
1.      Matrimony
2.      Holy Orders (Ordination)
                                   3.      Unction (anointment of the sick) (GOARCH)

The Greek Orthodox Church traditions and ceremonies are far more expansive than I can detail here. Their ceremonies are rich in culture and history and their goal is to, "achieve union with Jesus Christ and unity with each other through the Sacrament of Holy Communion." 

Prior to attending the service, I acquainted myself with the ceremonious services by visiting the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America's site. It explained the different services and even provided the words and prayers that would be used.

Sunday services include:
Orthros at 8:15 am
Divine Liturgy at 9:30 am

I attended the Divine Liturgy service. They perform the same liturgy service that has been used since the beginning of the Orthodox Church. When I first arrived, a small group was still leading the Orthros Chant. The transition from Orthros was without interruption. They had a Divine Liturgy book that provided the words to the service. The service was largely conducted in English but some parts were in Greek and the Lord's prayer was additionally done in Slavonic. I cannot say that I did not get lost a few times, so I was happy to have the guide.  

Father Conan Gill & Deacon George Collaros conducted the service. 

The service is very formal but the feeling of the church is comfortably casual. It is a welcomed diverse congregation, I heard several different languages being spoken by the members. The sanctuary is amazingly, beautiful filled with ornate fixtures and vibrant portraits. 

Most of the service was chanted except the sermon. In his sermon, Father Conan made parallels of the massacre at Sandy Hook to the massacre of children in Matthew 2:18 and predicted in Jeremiah 31:15. He spoke of the archetype of the mourning mother Rachel. He assured his congregants that doubting faith or the faith of God during the quake of such tragedies was not bad. In fact, this is "what lead us to wonder and awe." We may not know what work God is doing during these tragedies, but we can be assured that:

"Even in the darkest moment, when it seems that God is not around - 
                        He is doing his greatest work"   ~ Fr. Conan 

After the sermon, more people entered the church, many of them with children. Holy Communion was then given and was only for those who have been baptized and chrismated in the Orthodox church. After the completion of the service, there was fellowship in the building adjacent to the church. 

It was very interesting to see an Orthodox service being conducted, I felt almost transformed in time. 

THANK YOU St. George for letting me experience an Orthodox worship service. 

Orthodox

Byzantine

Coptic Church 

Greek Orthodox

Russian Orthodox