Who We Are
The Coptic Orthodox Church, was established in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by St. Mark the Evangelist in the city of Alexandria, Egypt, around 43 A.D. The Church adheres to the Nicene Creed. St. Athanasius (296-373 A.D.), the twentieth pope of the Coptic Church, effectively defended the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ's divinity at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. His affirmation of the doctrine earned him the titles "Father of Orthodoxy" and St. Athanasius "the Apostolic."
The term "Coptic" is derived from the Greek "Aigyptos," meaning "Egyptian." When the Arabs arrived in Egypt in the seventh century, they called the Egyptians "qibt." Thus, the Arabic word "qibt" came to mean both "Egyptians" and "Christians."
The term "Orthodoxy" here refers to the preservation of the original faith by the Copts who, throughout the ages, defended the Old Creed against the numerous attacks aimed against it.
The Coptic Orthodox Church worships the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the oneness of nature. We believe in One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three equal co-essential and co-indwelling hypostases (persons). The Blessed and Holy Trinity is our One God. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten of the Father and Who is One with Him in Essence, is the only Savior of the world. We are also Miaphysites; there is a difference between the Miaphysites—who believe in one united or composite nature (divine & human) of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Monophysites—who believe in just one single nature (divine) of Lord Jesus Christ. We do not believe in just a single nature, but we do believe in the one incarnate nature of the Logos. Fewer changes have taken place in the Coptic Church than in any other church, whether in the ritual or doctrinal aspects. Additionally, the succession of the Coptic patriarchs, bishops, priests, and deacons has been continuous since St. Mark brought Christianity to Egypt.
The mission of the American Coptic Orthodox Church is to preserve, practice, and share the Coptic Orthodox faith in America without the cultural and language barriers that have traditionally accompanied the spread of Orthodoxy outside of Egypt. More specifically, St. Luke’s American Coptic Orthodox Church has been established to share the Orthodox faith within the local South Florida community by celebrating liturgical services and hosting meetings and events for prayers, spiritual growth, fellowship, evangelism, and community service. Check out the "Ministries" tab above to see more information about services at St. Luke’s ACOC.
The Coptic Orthodox Church brought about saints of international renown, such as St. Athanasius who helped author the Nicene creed; St. Anthony, the father of monasticism; and St. Verena, who made Christians of the people of Switzerland. The Coptic Church is also known as the "Church of Martyrs" because at the time of Emperor Diocletian’s reign, approximately 1 million Copts were killed for their faith. The persecution of the Coptic people continues to this day in Egypt.
Another interesting fact about the Coptic Orthodox Church is that it has preserved the faith first given by St. Mark. When you walk into one of our churches, you will feel like you traveled back in time. We still use incense and chant our prayers. Our priests dress in traditional garbs even when they are not praying liturgies. Whether you attend liturgy in Australia, in Kenya, or in England, you will hear the same words repeated. The Coptic Orthodox Church prides itself in abiding by the doctrines given by the apostles and the early church fathers. It is grounded in discipleship, prayers, and fasting, and is rooted in the practice of its seven sacraments.
St. Luke American Coptic Orthodox Church in Florida is a member of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria in the Diocese of the Southern United States under the auspices of H.G. Bishop Youssef. Our mission is to bring the rich history of the Coptic church into an ever-changing and diverse American culture. We strive to provide a place of worship to people of all languages and backgrounds while observing the sacraments and ancient traditions of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria.
We believe in one God, God the Father the Pantocrator, who created heaven and earth, and all things seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not created, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became Man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried. And on the third day He rose from the dead, according to the scriptures, ascended to the heavens; He sits at the right hand of his Father, and He is coming again in His glory to judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.
Yes, we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Life-Giver, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.
And in one holy, catholic and apostolic church. We confess one baptism for the remission of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the coming age. Amen.
Listening to the call of the Lord Jesus Christ, His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef entered the monastic life in 1986 at the El-Souryan Monastery. He was ordained into the priesthood in 1988. Then in 1989, he came to the United States under the auspices of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, the 117th Pope of the Holy See of St. Mark. He was appointed resident priest to serve the Coptic congregation of St. Mary Church in Dallas/Fort Worth. In 1992, His Eminence was ordained as General Bishop and in 1993, His Grace was appointed to oversee the Southern Coptic Diocese. In 1995, His Eminence was enthroned as the first Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. In 2023 His Eminence was promoted from the rank of General Bishop to Metropolitan.
You may reach the Office of H.E. Metropolitan Youssef by telephone at 817-841-9353, by fax at 817-704-2389, or by e-mail at office@suscopts.org.
His Grace Bishop Basil joined the monastic life in January of 2008. He was ordained a monk in April of 2009 and joined the priesthood in 2011. In 2017 he was appointed by His Grace Bishop Youssef to serve the Florida region of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Soon thereafter, His Grace Bishop Basil was elevated to the rank of hegumen in February of 2018. In October of 2018, he was enthroned as Bishop Basil to serve as Auxiliary Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States under the auspices of His Grace Bishop Youssef.
Fr. Suriel Costandi is the priest at St. Luke American Coptic Orthodox Church. On July 23, 2017, His Eminence ("H.E.") Metropolitan Youssef ordained Fr. Suriel as priest, with the presence of His Eminence ("H.E.") Metropolitan Serapion and H.G. Bishop Peter. Fr. Suriel has served within the Diocese of the Southern United States since his ordination.
To learn more about St. Lukes American Coptic Orthodox Church or Coptic Orthodoxy more generally, Fr. Suriel Costandi may be contacted by email at frsuriel@stlukefl.org.