we mourn & pray

Posted
18555 88 Avenue, Surrey, British Columbia, V4N 5T1, Canada

On July 19, 2021, the congregation of St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Surrey, B.C., woke up to news that their church had been burned to the ground. Flames broke out shortly before 3:30 AM and by the time firefights arrived, the building was engulfed in flames that were visible for miles. This nearly 70-year-old building was much more than just a building; Bishop Mina said in a statement, “… it was a place [where] we built community, where we shared meals, where we married our youth, baptized our babies and welcomed newcomers to the faith…” Our Church brought together a diverse congregation of Coptic, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Iraqi and Lebanese Orthodox believers. While we are thankful to all those who have reached out and offered their churches as a temporary location where our services can continue to be held, we hold strong in the belief that our Lord Jesus Christ will “restore its ruins and will rebuild it as it used to be.” (Amos 9:11). We rely on your generosity to be able to once again build a church that will be a beacon of light to all those around it and serve the needs of its congregation and the surrounding community.

Update on August 30, 2021 4:00 PM: Surrey RCMP issued a press release regarding their investigation into the fire that destroyed our church. On Thursday August 26, 2021 they arrested a 35-year old woman and charged her with two counts of arson in connection with the incidents on July 14, and July 19, 2021.

Four ways to donate

1. Credit Card through PayPal

2. Credit Card through GoFundMe

St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, Surrey, BC Facebook

3. E-transfer

Canadians can donate by E-transfer to donation@stgeorge.ca

4. Wire Transfer

To do a wire transfer from the USA or anywhere else in the world, the transferee must include the following information:
Swift code: TDOMCATTTOR
Bank name: TD Canada Trust
Branch address: 1140 Johnston Street, Coquitlam, BC, V3B 7G5
Name of recipient: Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate / St. George Coptic Orthodox Church
Account # (USD): 9324 0936 7305119
Account # (CAD): 9324 0936 5211993
Social Media

Media coverage about church destruction

Message from Bishop Mina

Press release from church board

Message from Eritrean Kudus Giorgis Orthodox Tewahdo Church

Message from Coptic Orthodox Bishops of North America

Coptic Orthodox Bishops of North America

Message from St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church

Arabic letter from Egyptian Embassy in Ottawa

Arabic letter from Egyptian Embassy in Ottawa

English letter from Egyptian Embassy in Ottawa

English letter from Egyptian Embassy in Ottawa

Message from St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church in Surrey, BC

The Consecration of the Church of St. George of Cappadocia.

Posted

Hatur 7, 1741 November 16, 2024

Also on this day, is the commemoration of the consecration of the Church of the honorable saint and great martyr St. George in the city of Lydd. We also commemorate the great wonders and signs, the Lord has done therein which became known throughout the land and sea. When Emperor Diocletian heard the reports of this church, he sent Eukheius, the head of his army, with soldiers to destroy it. Eukheius came with arrogance to where the icon of St. George was and he began to scoff at the Christians and at the Saint. He had a staff in his hand with which he struck the lamp, which was burning before the icon of St. George and he broke it. A fragment of the lamp fell on his head. Fear and great trembling came upon him and he fell prostrate on the ground. The soldiers carried him, to take him back to his country, for they knew that this had happened to him because of his mockery towards this great martyr. Eukheius died on the way back with disgrace, and they cast him into the sea.

When Diocletian heard this, he became angry and decided to go himself to this church and destroy it. The Lord bore no longer with him to do what he had determined to do and He smote him with blindness and the men of his kingdom rose up against him. The Lord took the kingdom away from him and placed Constantine, a righteous Emperor, in his place. Emperor Constantine closed pagan temples and opened the churches. The churches and the universe rejoiced, especially the church of the great martyr, the star of the morning, St. George.

His intercession be with us and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.

Our Church

Posted

Thank you for your donation!!!


HG Bishop Mina

1-647-772-2233
1-289-724-3300
anbamina762009@gmail.com
Fr. Bisenty Abdel-Messih Gerges Fr. Armia Aziz Gerges
Father Bisenty Abdel-Messih Gergis
peniot@hotmail.com
Fr. Armia Aziz Gerges
fr.armia@stgeorge.ca