Brought to you by the youth of the Fr Pishoy Kamel Resource Centre.
St Mary & St Merkorious Coptic Orthodox Church was established in 1987, renting out an Anglican Church Building in Burwood. Masses were prayed only on Saturday mornings, and Sunday School took place that evening with one servant and seven children ranging from the ages of 3 to 14. A fund raising cruise in 1989 saw a vote being taken and the Patron Saints, Mary & Philopateer Merkorious Abu Sefein being chosen.
From January 1988 to June the same year, the church was located in the Uniting Church building in Concord West. It wasn't until later that year that the church bought a small old Uniting Church in Rhodes which had the potential of growing into surrounding areas to be home for our steadily growing Coptic Community.
HH Pope Shenouda sent Fr Bishoy Yassa, who arrived on the 9th September 1989 to serve as the parish priest. It was the continual growth of the church under Fr Bishoy's guidance that led to the requirement of a second priest, Fr Youhanna Bestawros, who was ordained in 1993. Both their super human efforts and their growing services led to a cry for a priest dedicated to the services of the church's youth. In 2002, HG Bishop Daniel was guided by the Holy Spirit to relocate Fr Mikhail Mikhail's service to our humble church. His dynamic and loving service bore incredible fruit and continues to, even after his relocation away from our parish in 2008.
Today, the church has developed into one of the largest Coptic Orthodox communities in the Sydney Diocese, with a very active Youth Ministry. We pray that the church will continue to build the Kingdom of God on earth and will prolong its services for many years.
25th Jul