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we mourn & pray

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
St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, Surrey, BC, YouTube Channel
St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, Surrey, BC - Facebook
St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, Surrey, BC - Instagram
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 Departure of Samuel the Prophet.

Paona 9, 1742 June 16, 2026

On this day, of the year 2947 of the world, the upright and great, Samuel the Prophet, departed. This righteous man was born in Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim. His father’s name was Elkanah and his mother was Hannah. She was barren, and by continual supplication, the Lord gave her Samuel. She raised him in her house for three years, and then she offered him to the temple of God as she vowed before she conceived him. He served Eli the priest until he grew up. Eli’s two sons had behaved badly and defiled the temple.


While Samuel was lying down to sleep, the LORD called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!” So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And Eli said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he went and lay down. And the LORD called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And Eli answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him. And the LORD called Samuel again a third time. Then Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” Then the LORD said to Samuel: “Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. “In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them. And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” (1 Samuel 3:1-14)

Afterward, the Lord commanded Samuel to anoint Saul the son of Kish, a king for Israel. When Saul disobeyed the Lord Samuel anointed David, the son of Jesse, a king by the command of the Lord. He prophesied and judged for the people of Israel for twenty years.

May his prayer be with us. Amen.

The Relocation of the Relics of St. Mercurius to Cairo.

Today also, we celebrate the commemoration of the relocation of the relics of St. Marcurius Abu-Saifain to his church in Cairo. That was during the papacy of Pope Yoannis (94th Pope of Alexandria).

May his prayers be with us and Glory be to God forever. Amen.