HISTORY OF ST. ATHANASIUS AMERICAN COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ORLANDO
With the rapid growth of the Coptic community in Orlando, a service to meet the needs of our English-speaking and Westernized community was identified. In 2013, we began with a simple English Bible Study focused on the seven sacraments and our Orthodox faith. As interest grew, we were blessed to pray our very first all-English Holy Week in the spring of 2015 and His Eminence (H.E.) Metropolitan Youssef named our community St. Athanasius - this was the official start of our church.
Following that first Resurrection Feast, we continued with all-English liturgies, which at first were only once a month, but then increased to twice a month, then weekly. As St. Athanasius membership continued to grow, H.E. Metropolitan Youssef began his search for a permanent priest for our community, and on October 1, 2017, he ordained Fr. Maurice Ibrahim on St. Athanasius' altar. In 2019 we purchased our permanent church and home in Sanford, FL and on the 2nd of June, 2024, the church building was consecrated at the hands of H.E. Metropolitan Youssef, H.G. Bishop Basil, and H.G. Bishop Gergory. May the Lord continue to grow and bless His church for the glory of His Name.
FR. MAURICE'S INAGURAL LITURGY
Below are some representative pictures from Fr. Maurice Ibrahim's inaugural liturgy after his 40 days in the monastery.
