About Us

The Coptic Orthodox Church

"...On one hand, its theology is based on nothing outside the scriptures. On the other hand, the doctrines agree in all parts with those of the Early Church i.e. the tradition which has the proper interpretation and application of the teachings of our Lord and the Apostles as understood and practiced by the Christians and the leaders of the Church during the period of the One Universal Church until the division of 451 A.D."
Bishop Athanasius of Ben-Swef and Bahnassa (1977)

Coptic Church The Coptic Church was established in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by St. Mark the Evangelist in the city of Alexandria around 43 A.D. The church adheres to the Nicene Creed. St. Athanasius (296-373 A.D.), the twentieth Pope of the Coptic Church effectively defended the Doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ's Divinity at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. His affirmation of the doctrine earned him the title; "Father of Orthodoxy" and St. Athanasius "the Apostolic".

The term "Coptic" is derived from the Greek "Aigyptos" meaning "Egyptian". When the Arabs arrived in Egypt in the seventh century, they called the Egyptians "qibt". Thus the Arabic word "qibt" came to mean both "Egyptians" and "Christians". The term "Orthodoxy" here refers to the preservation of the "Original Faith" by the Copts who, throughout the ages, defended the Old Creed against the numerous attacks aimed at it.

The Coptic Orthodox Church believes that the Holy Trinity: God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit, are equal to each other in one unity; and that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world. Less changes have taken place in the Coptic Church than in any other church whether in the ritual or doctrine aspects and that the succession of the Coptic Patriarchs, Bishops, priests and Deacons has been continuous.

More information can be found at our Diocese's website: www.suscopts.org

Our Creed

The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, God the Father, the Pantocrator, who created heaven and earth, and all things seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of light, true God of true God, begotten not created, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who for us men and our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary, and became Man. And he was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose from the dead, according to the scriptures, ascended into the heavens; he sits at the right hand of his Father, and He is coming again in his glory to judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. Yes, we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And in one holy, catholic and apostolic church. We confess one baptism for the remission of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the coming age. Amen.

Saint Mary & Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church

St. Mary & Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church is under the guidance of His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef, Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. St. Mary & Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church was built in 1997 and later opened its main sanctuary in 2004. In 2002, H. E. Metropolitan Youssef blessed the church with another priest, Hegumen Fr. Younan William.

Hegumen Father Younan William
Hegumen Fr. Younan William is a priest for St. Mary & Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church located in Houston, TX.
His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef ordained him priest on February 24, 2002. Hegumen Fr. Younan has been serving within the Diocese of the Southern United States since February 24, 2002. We pray that the Lord will continue blessing his service.

If you would like to reach Hegumen Fr. Younan William, he may be contacted by email at fryounan@saintmaryhouston.org.

Father James Gendi
Fr. James Gendi is also serving as a priest in the church. H.E. Metropolitan Youssef, with the presence of H.E. Metropolitan Serapion, ordained him priest on October 30, 2011. Fr. James has been serving within the Diocese of the Southern United States since October 30, 2011. We pray that the Lord will continue blessing his service.

If you would like to reach Fr. James Gendi, he may be contacted by email at frjames@saintmaryhouston.org.

Coptic Orthodox Churches serving the Greater Houston Area

Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Church - Bellaire, TX

Archangel Raphael Coptic Orthodox Church - Clear Lake, TX

Saint Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church - Houston, TX

Saint George Coptic Orthodox Church - Katy, TX

Saint Stephen Coptic Orthodox Church - Cypress, TX