If entering from Melrose Ave:

•  Enter the clear glass doors, go either left or right up the stairs, enter the 2 large wood doors and you’re in the church!

If entering from Merchant Street (Parking Lot side)

•  Enter from the tan building, go up the stairs or the elevator, enter the grey door (on the left if coming from elevator, right if coming from stairs).

Have a seat anywhere you would like in the church and read the TV screens to follow along! (FYI: the words on the screen come from the app “Coptic Reader” which you may download on your phone! Feel free to check it out to see the prayers of the Coptic Church)

You must be baptized in one of the Oriental Orthodox Churches to partake of Communion (Coptic, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Armenian, Syrian, and Indian Orthodox Churches). Those taking communion must abstain from food and drink from midnight.

If you are not baptized in one of those churches, you are still welcome to join for the liturgy. You may remain in your seat during the distribution of the Eucharist. The priest will hand out blessed bread at the end of the service, which you are welcome to take (it is blessed because it touched the bread that was chosen for the Eucharist).

Other than the first Sunday of the month, services are in English, Arabic, and Coptic. On the first Sunday of the month, liturgy is in all English. There are screens that show the words of the service in all three languages throughout the entire liturgy so you can follow along!

We also hold all-English liturgies in Oakland. Check the ‘St. Mary’s in Oakland tab’ to see when the next one is!

We believe that children are not just the future of the Church; they are equally members from the beginning. That's why our children are baptized and receive communion from infancy, and they are encouraged to participate in the liturgical services! Children may sit with you in the pews. If you find that your children are needing a break, there is a room at the front left of the church that you may take your children to. You can also go in the stairwell area at the back of the church or the social hall downstairs.

You will find that our church is filled with children of all ages, and we would love to have yours. They may join for Sunday School after the liturgy as well!

You will find people wearing a variety of clothing options. We simply request that you dress modestly (avoid shorts, short dresses/skirts, tight-fitting clothing, and low-cut shirts, and hats). Women often wear a headscarf. While you may find that not all women wear one,  if you would like to, there is a brown box at the front right of the church with head scarves that you may choose to take from.

After liturgy, you may receive a piece of the blessed bread (often called “Orban”) from the priest and introduce yourself before heading downstairs into the social hall for fellowship. There is also Sunday School for all grades, and there is a fellowship meeting college students, graduated, and young adults. These meetings happen in an attached building, which you can enter through the door at the front left of the church.

The Coptic Orthodox Church was founded in Alexandria around 42 AD by Saint Mark the Evangelist, writer of the Gospel of Mark. As one of the oldest Christian churches, it is an Apostolic Church, preserving the faith of Christ as taught by the apostles and passed down through generations.

‘Coptic’ means ‘Egyptian’. Before the Arab invasion, Egypt was predominantly Christian, and the people spoke Coptic, the latest form of the ancient Egyptian language. Following the invasion, due to periods of severe persecution and the spread of the Arabic language, Coptic became primarily associated with Egyptian Christians rather than the general population.

The Coptic Orthodox Church believes that the bread and wine mystically change into the Body and Blood of Christ by the descent of the Holy Spirit through the prayers of the Divine Liturgy. It is one of the sacraments of the church (also known as the Holy Mysteries) through which believers gain unity with Christ, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. Only baptized members of the Oriental Orthodox Church, who have prepared themselves by fasting, prayer, regular repentance & confession are permitted to partake of Holy Communion

“He took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, 

'Take, eat, this is My Body’, then He took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to His disciples saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you, for this is My Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins’”

(Matthew 26:26-28)

The word 'liturgy' means 'work of the people.' During the Divine Liturgy, believers come into communion with Christ through worship, culminating in the Eucharist, which is the central focus of the service. The liturgy includes prayers, hymns, and readings from Scripture, fostering a deep spiritual connection with God.  Press this link to see the structure of the liturgy!

Sitting and standing: You will find that we sit and stand several times during liturgy. You may follow the lead of other congregants to know what to do. If you find that you need to sit at any time during the liturgy, you may do so, but It is customary to stand during the Gospel reading, when the priest is using the censer, and during the distribution of the Eucharist as a sign of reverence and respect. 

Kiss of Peace: Shortly after the Gospel reading (specifically after the Prayer of Reconciliation), one of the deacons says “Greet one another with a holy kiss. Lord have mercy…” During this time, congregants greet each other as a symbol of peace, love and unity. People may turn to you and extend their hands to greet you, feel free to also put your hands out and greet them. You do not need to say anything, simply interplace your hands with theirs and pull away.

Crossing Yourself: You may find that some congregants cross themselves at several points during the liturgy. Do not feel pressure to cross yourself at every point that others do. It is customary for people to cross themselves and bow at the mention of the worshipping/praising God, giving glory, or when the priest presents the Eucharist.