ABOUT OUR PAGE
Christ the Good Shepherd American Coptic Orthodox ChurchOUR MISSION AND VISION
Christ the Good Shepherd (CTGS) American Coptic Orthodox Church is an Orthodox Christian community in Long Beach, CA, established in March 2017 when His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion desired to have a church with the mission to learn from the poor and attain the blessings of serving Christ Himself in those in need—His brethren.
OVERVIEW
We are part of the Coptic (Egyptian) Orthodox Christian Church, serving in the Diocese of Los Angeles under Metropolitan Serapion. Our church was founded by St. Mark the Gospel Writer in A.D. 46, who preached and was martyred in Egypt. From the beginning of Christendom until this very day, we have been one of the most heavily persecuted churches, witnessing a rise in deadly attacks against our brethren in Egypt. Yet, the Coptic Church remains faithful and continues to give a beautiful witness to the love and forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ amidst persecution, martyrdom, church bombings, abductions, mistreatment, and hatred
OUR BELIEFS AND VALUES
The Coptic Orthodox Church is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, emphasizing faith in the Holy Trinity and the importance of the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Baptism. It upholds the Holy Scriptures and Sacred Tradition as the foundations of Christian life and doctrine. The Church values a life of prayer, repentance, and spiritual growth through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Serving others is central to our faith, with a strong commitment to helping the poor, the sick, and those in need. We strive to live a life of love, humility, and holiness, following the example of Christ and the early Church Fathers.
“The almsgiver is a harbor for those in necessity: a harbor receives all who have encountered shipwreck, and frees them from danger; whether they are bad or good, it shelters them with the arms of love.”
– St. John Chrisotom
Father Lazarus Yassa
Priest of CTGS
Father Lazarus was born and raised in Southern California.
He holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University.
Prior to his consecration and ordination, he worked as a journalist in Los Angeles, CA and as a Mental Health Clinician in Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia from 2001-2008.
He previously served at St. George in Bellflower, CA from 2000-2004, St. Verena and the Three Holy Youth from 2004-2006 and St. Anthony in Medford, NJ from 2006-2008.
On November 2, 2008, he was ordained as a presbyter by His Grace Bishop Serapion and His Grace Bishop Youssef of the Diocese of the Southern United States to serve in the Diocese and assigned to St. Mina in Riverside and St. George Church in Bellflower.
Most recently. His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion assigned him to serve at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Long Beach.