Tag: St. George Coptic Orthodox Church

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 Martyrdom of St. James the Apostle Brother of St. John the Apostle

April 25, 2026 Baramouda 17, 1742

On this day, St. James the Apostle, the son of Zebedee, and the brother of St. John, the Apostle, was martyred. After he had preached the Gospel in Judea and Samaria, he went to Spain. He preached the Gospel there, and its people believed in the Lord Christ. He returned to Jerusalem and pursued his ministry.

He always advised his flock to give alms to the poor, the needy, and the weak. They accused him before Herod who called him and asked him: “Are you the one that instigating the people not to give the taxes to Caesar but to give it to the poor and the churches?” Then he smote him with the sword, cutting off his head, and St. James received the crown of martyrdom.

Clement of Alexandria, from the fathers of the second century, said: “The soldier that seized the Saint, when he saw his courage, he realized that there must be a better life and asked the Saint for his forgiveness. Then the soldier confessed Christianity and received the crown of martyrdom (Acts 12:1,2) along with the Apostle in the year 44 A.D.”

Because Herod saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. So when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. (Acts 12:3-4)

So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. (Acts 12:21- 23)

As of the body of St. James, the believers took it, shrouded it, and buried it by the Temple. It was said that the body of St. James was translated to Spain, where James the elder considered to be its Apostle.

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