His Holiness Pope Tawadros II Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, is a shepherd whose life is marked by deep humility, wisdom, and unwavering devotion to Christ and His Church. Born as Wagih Sobhi Baqi Suleiman on November 4, 1952, in Mansoura, Egypt, he was raised in a devout Christian home where faith was the foundation of daily life. His family included several members of the clergy, fostering in him from an early age a love for the Church and her sacred traditions. His father was an engineer, his mother a devoted homemaker, and he is the eldest of three children.
H.H. Motto: “Love Never Fails.” – 1 Corinthians 13:8
On his 60th birthday, November 4, 2012, he was chosen by divine lot to become the 118th Pope and Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. His enthronement took place two weeks later, on November 18, 2012, in a historic and solemn liturgical ceremony. Surrounded by thousands of bishops, clergy, ecumenical representatives, and government dignitaries, he was entrusted with the papal staff, the cross from the holy altar, and the leadership of the Church of Saint Mark—an apostolic legacy that spans over 2,000 years.
“Love precedes all gifts. Love precedes every service. Love precedes every word.”
– His Holiness Pope Tawadros II
These words of His Holiness embody the vision he has cast for the Church—not merely as a place of structure and duty, but as a living Body animated by love. For the lay leaders of the Diocese of New York and New England, the calling is clear: before any action, before any plan or spoken word, we are first invited to serve from a place of deep love for God, His Church, and one another. It is this love that sanctifies every effort, empowers every committee, and transforms ordinary service into a living witness of Christ’s presence in the world.
Dear Beloved Lay Leaders,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ.
It is with joy and thanksgiving that we welcome you to the Opening Luncheon of the Diocesan Gathering of Lay Leaders on Saturday, November 1st, 2025, at Virgin Mary & St. Pachomius Coptic Orthodox Church. This blessed occasion marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life of our Diocese, where representatives from every parish—board members, heads of service, youth leaders, women’s leaders, community leaders, and dedicated servants—come together as one body to strengthen the Church’s mission.
Your presence here reflects not only your commitment to your local parish but also your vital role in the growth and unity of our Diocese. As we gather around the table of fellowship, we will also begin the important work of:
- Building bridges between parishes through collaboration and shared vision
- Learning from one another’s experiences in service and ministry
- Planning for the future, rooted in prayer and guided by the Holy Spirit
- Strengthening the bonds of unity, so that together we may reflect the love of Christ to the world
This Luncheon is more than a formal beginning; it is a celebration of your dedication and a reminder that the work of the Church flourishes through the faith and service of both clergy and laity, united in one Spirit.
We look forward to sharing this blessed evening with you and to walking together in the journey of building up the life and ministry of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York & New England.
Welcome, and may the Lord bless our time together abundantly.
In Christ’s love,
Bishop David
Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York & New England
Upcoming Meeting
The upcoming Lay Leaders Meeting will bring together clergy and key lay leaders from across the Diocese of New York & New England.
Date
Saturday, November 1, 2025
Location
Virgin Mary & St. Pachomius Coptic Orthodox Church
3 Swim Club Road
Stony Point, NY 10980
Schedule
Registration: 12:30–1:00 PM
Lunch: 1:00–2:00 PM
Meeting: 2:00–4:00 PM
Building Bridges, Strengthening the Body
Join our growing network of lay leaders united across the Diocese of New York and New England. Together we are:
- Building bridges between parishes through collaboration and shared vision
- Learning from one another’s experiences in service and ministry
- Planning for the future—rooted in prayer and guided by the Holy Spirit
- Strengthening the bonds of unity, so that together we may reflect the love of Christ to the world
Lay Leaders Meeting Location
Virgin Mary & St. Pachomius Coptic Orthodox Church
3 Swim Club Road
Stony Point, NY 10980
Fr. Andrew Awad
+1-203-455-7447
FrAndrew@NYNEcopts.org