“Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” Colossians 1:28-29
Our mission is to take the Gospel and bring it to life through the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, the preaching of the apostles and the preservations of the early church Fathers. We aim to apply these teachings each day in all of our practices and spread the awareness and teachings to our church community and local community.
Regardless of anyone’s background, race, social status, financial status, etc. all are accepted and served in the church of our Savior. In the gospels, Our Savior Jesus Christ always drew towards and sought out all who needed Him most such as the tax collectors, the Samaritan woman, the greedy and rich, sick, shunned, etc. We seek to replicate the practices of our Lord, and the teachings of The Word.
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22: 37-39
Our vision is to take this commandment and demonstrate the unconditional love that Christ has both shown to us and commanded us to show each other as well as to our community. We aim to bring this unconditional love through serving each other and putting the needs of others before our own, regardless of who they are. St. John the Baptist reminds us in the gospel where he says that “He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30” We will do this through serving our community by getting to know each individual, and serving their needs by holding services that strive for worship in unity, learning in unity, love in unity, and most importantly welcome ALL with open arms. Christ always continuously welcomes us daily with open arms regardless of our past, where we are, or who we are.
Born: November 4th, 1952
On 15 June 1997 (8 Paoni 1713), he was consecrated as a general bishop by his predecessor as Pope Shenouda III, with the Greek name of Theodoros, which translates to Tawadros in coptic or Theodore in English. He is the 118th and current pope of Alexandria and patriarch of the Sea of St. Mark, succeeding the late Po
Born: November 4th, 1952
On 15 June 1997 (8 Paoni 1713), he was consecrated as a general bishop by his predecessor as Pope Shenouda III, with the Greek name of Theodoros, which translates to Tawadros in coptic or Theodore in English. He is the 118th and current pope of Alexandria and patriarch of the Sea of St. Mark, succeeding the late Pope Shenouda III as leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. He took office on November 18th, 2012.
His Grace Bishop David was consecrated in formal ceremonies taking place in Cairo, Egypt on November 16-17, 2013. Bishop David was formally enthroned on December 7, 2013 at the Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Abraam in Woodbury, Long Island in a ceremony that brought together thousands of the Coptic faithful, clergy, and dignitaries.
Late Hegomen Wissa Bessada is the founder of Archangel Michael & St. Mena Coptic Church in Staten Island.
Father Wissa Bessada was ordained on 7-23-1976 by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III to serve at The Great Morkosia Church,
(Azbakia, Egypt.) Fr. Wissa was called to serve at Saint Louis, Missouri (USA) on 12-16-1979. After that, he star
Late Hegomen Wissa Bessada is the founder of Archangel Michael & St. Mena Coptic Church in Staten Island.
Father Wissa Bessada was ordained on 7-23-1976 by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III to serve at The Great Morkosia Church,
(Azbakia, Egypt.) Fr. Wissa was called to serve at Saint Louis, Missouri (USA) on 12-16-1979. After that, he started serving Staten
Island on 12-03-1980 and there was no Church at that time on the Island. The first Liturgy was held on 1-6-1981 and was attended by a total of 25 people at St Sylvester Church on Targee St where they rented. On 1993 and through the grace of God and Fr. Wissa’s service the congregation was able to purchase an existing building on January 1993. Fr. Wissa continued to serve the people of Staten Island and by October 2004 construction of the current church as an extension to the existing building started. The church was consecrated on 2-4-2007, and shortly after, Fr. Wissa was promoted to the next and last rank of priesthood (Hegomen) on 2-6-2007. He departed to our Lord Jesus Christ on April 28, 2013 after serving 33 years in Staten Island.
Date of Birth: March 3rd 1953
Place: Aswan, Egypt
Ordained on November 17th, 1983 by the late Pope Shenouda III. Ordained as Hegomen on February 3rd, 1994. Abouna Antonious has received his bachelor's degree in 1974 from AlShams University.
Tasony's Name: Mervat Botros
Date of Birth: August 9th, 1954
Place: Alexandria, Egypt
Ordained on November 11th, 1984 by the late Abba Yakobos in Zagazig. Ordained as Hegomen on July 23rd, 2000 by the late Abba Yakabos in Zagazig. Abouna Benjamin was faculty of engineering at Zagazig university and a mechanical engineer as of May 1978.
Tasony's Name: Hala P Kousa
Children: Youstina Estafanos, Makrina Estafanos, and Abraam Estafanos
Ordained on November 14th 2005 by the late Pope Shenouda III. Abouna Luke received his PharmD in 2004.
Tasony's Name: Ranin Awad
Children: Kyrillos Awad, Peter Awad, and Monica Awad.
Date of Brith: August 11th, 1979
Place: Alexandria, Egypt
Ordained as a Deacon on October 27th 2015 by His Grace Bishop David. Ordained as a priest on November 29th 2015 by His Grace Bishop David. Abouna Gabriel is a respiratory therapist.
Tasony's Name: Nancy Makkar
Children: Joseph Gabriel Assad and Gabriella Marie Assad
Date of Birth: October 30th, 1961
Place: Egypt
Ordained as deacon on August 2nd, 2015 by His Grace Bishop David. Ordained as a priest on March 2nd, 2019 by His Grace Bishop David. Abouna Mina received his AAS at NYCTC and BS at CSI in 1988.
Tasony's Name: Odette Aziz
Children: Philip Mark Aziz, George Mina Aziz, and Stephen Michael Aziz
Date of Birth: August 21st, 1994
Place: United States
Ordained as deacon on October 23rd, 2024 by His Grace Bishop David. Ordained as a priest on November 9th, 2024, by His Grace Bishop David.
Abouna Timothy was an Assistant Principal in NYC Public Schools.
Tasony's Name: Monica Gad
Children: Elijah John Magharious
Date of Birth: June 4th, 1943
Place: Egypt
Ordained as a deacon on March 2nd, 2019.
Deacon Kyrollos obtained his BS in 1965.
Wife's Name: Faizo Zion
Children: Ashraf Zion and Menar Zion
Date of Birth: October 6th, 1947
Place: Cairo, Egypt
Ordained as a deacon on March 2nd, 2019 by His Grace Bishop David
Deacon Morcos obtained his BS in 1970 majoring in education.
Wife's Name: Amal Benjamin
Children: Refca Morcos, Rewis Morcos, Armia Morcos, and Marina Morcos
Date of Birth: August 26th, 1946
Ordained as a deacon on March 2nd, 2019 by His Grace Bishop David.
Wife's Name: Nahed Salib
Children: Mina Salib, Morkos Salib, and Samuel Salib
Date of Birth: September 14th, 1956
Place: Matai, ElMinia, Egypt
Ordained as a deacon on November 8th, 2019 by His Grace Bishop David. Deacon Tobia obtained his M.D in 1980 from Kasr El Ini College of Medicine.
Wife's Name: Hala R. Khalil
Children: Michael Tobia and Lydia Tobia
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