About Us

About Us

Christ the Good Shepherd (CTGS) American Coptic Orthodox Church is an Orthodox Christian Community in Long Beach, California, established in March 2017 with a mission to learn from the poor and attain the blessings of serving Christ Himself in those in need, His Brethren.

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 A.D. 60 who preached and was martyred in Egypt. We have been one of the most heavily persecuted churches from the beginning of Christendom until this very day where we have seen a rise in deadly attacks against our brethren in Egypt. The Coptic Church remains faithful and gives a beautiful witness to the love and forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ amidst persecution, martyrdom, church bombings, abductions, mistreatment and hatred.

CTGS is served by Father Lazarus, a presbyter born and raised in Southern California. God has planted in his heart, a deep desire to love and serve the poor, the wounded and oppressed, to show them the depth of Christ’s love for them and their precious value as children of God.

About our Priest

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.

Would you like to schedule a home visit? contact our priest.

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