.png)
ABOUT US
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church has been serving the Coptic Orthodox Christian community in Roanoke, Virginia, area since the early 1990s. Our church is committed to fostering spiritual growth, building a strong community, and providing a welcoming environment for all individuals seeking to deepen their faith in the Coptic Orthodox tradition.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to be a beacon of light, hope, and love in the Roanoke community, spreading the message of Christ's love and teachings to all people. We strive to create a place where individuals can connect with God, grow in their spirituality, and find support and encouragement in their faith journey.
WHAT WE DO
At St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church, we offer a variety of spiritual and educational programs to cater to the diverse needs of our members. From liturgical services and Bible studies to youth groups and charitable initiatives, we are dedicated to enriching the lives of our congregation.
OUR COMMUNITY
Our church is more than just a place of worship; it's a vibrant community where individuals from all walks of life come together to support, uplift, and care for one another. We serve many students from surrounding schools including but not limited to: Virginia Tech, Roanoke College, Liberty University, and Radford University.
About the Coptic Orthodox Church
The word Coptic is derived from the Greek word, "Aiguptos", which means Egyptian. The word Orthodox is of two parts, "Ortho", which means straight, and "dox" from doxology which means praise or glorify. The whole word means, glorifying God in a straight way.
The Coptic church is one of the oldest churches in the world. St. Mark the Evangelist and Apostle is the one who put the foundation of the church in Egypt.
The Divine Liturgy is the heart of Orthodox worship and praises. We thank and praise God, and the Holy Spirit turns the bread and the wine into the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and we take the communion.
H. H. Pope Tawadrous II
118th Pope of Alexandria
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II was born Wagih Sobhy Baky Soliman on November 4th, 1952 in Mansoura. His father was an irrigation engineer and his family moved around during his childhood from Mansoura to Sohag and then to Damanhour.
He received his bachelor's degree in pharmacy in 1975 from Alexandria University and earned a fellowship for the World Health Organization from the British International Health Institute in England in 1985. He attended the Coptic Seminary and graduated in 1983. He then worked as a manager in a pharmaceutical company in Damanhour that was owned by the Ministry of Health.
His Holiness's life has always revolved around church since his youth; he wished to live the life of monasticism. He entered the Monastery of St. Pishoy in Wadi Elnatroun on August 20th, 1986 and remained a brother for two years. He was ordained a monk on July 31, 1988 and after a year he was ordained a priest on December 23, 1989. Two months after, H.H. Pope Tawadros started serving with H.E. Metropolitan Pakhomius of Beheira on February 15th, 1990. He was ordained a bishop on June 15th, 1997 by H.H. the Late Pope Shenouda III as a General Bishop assisting H.E. Metropolitan Pakhomius. His Holiness focused on childhood whether it was in the country-wide children's festival as well when he was in charge of the children's committee in the Holy Synod. Before assuming the papacy, H.H. wrote twelve books.
His Holiness was enthroned as the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Pope of the See of St. Mark on November 19th, 2012 at the Cathedral of St. Reweiss in Abbassiya, Cairo. The enthronement was presided by H.E. Metropolitan Pakhomius of Beheira, other metropolitans and bishops of the Coptic church and was attended by many delegates of Christian Churches.
H. G. Bishop Peter
Bishop of the Diocese over North Carolina, South Carolina and Kentucky
His Grace Bishop Peter was ordained over the new Diocese of North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky on June 12th, 2016. His Holiness Pope Tawadros II presented the Biography of His Grace Bishop Peter, the Bishop over the Diocese of North Carolina, South Carolina and Kentucky in the USA. Monk Moses Ava Moussa is from St. Mary and St. Moses Abbey in Texas. He is the first candidate from this Abbey. It is a great blessing that he is a Dispora nominee. This is in accordance with the vision developed by the departed His Holiness Pope Shenouda. He was born in 1974 and has a bachelor's degree from New Jersey. He worked at several companies. In 2005, he joined the Abbey of the Virgin and Anba Moussa in Texas under the patronage of His Grace Bishop Yusuf and was then appointed to the priesthood. He was awarded the rank of Qmos in February 2016. He worked at the Abbey as Administrative Director. He then worked for seven years as an Associate Director of the Abbey and was responsible for the Abbey's library. He was the first monk to join this Abbey. He served at the Church of Pope Cyril VI in Tennessee. His father, Deacon Yohanna Ibrahim is dedicated to the Church of St. George and St. Shenouda in Jersey City, New Jersey and was serving at the Churches of St. Mary in Materia and St. Mary in El Zeiton before traveling abroad. Bishop Peter was nominated by some of the Fathers of the Church to be the bishop of this fourth Coptic Diocese.
Father Saweros
Priest of St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church
Abouna Sawerous was ordained as a priest on March 23, 2002. He was a priest at the Diocese of the Virgin Mary in Beni Suef, Egypt. He was there for six years. In 2008, Abouna came to the United States. He has been in Roanoke since 2015.
Before his ordination, he was a veterinarian in Beni Suef for 14 years. He served the High School group of the Diocese of St. Mary in Beni Suef before he became a priest. Once he became a priest, his service to the families became a priority. He enjoys visiting families and studying the Bible with them.
​
