About

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II was born Wagih Sobhy Baky Soliman on November 4th, 1952 in Mansoura, Egypt. His father was an irrigation engineer and his family moved around during his childhood from Mansoura to Sohag and then to Damanhour.

He received his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in 1975 from Alexandria University and earned a fellowship for the World Health Organization from the British International Health Institute in England in 1985. He attended the Coptic Seminary and graduated in 1983. He then worked as a manager in a pharmaceutical company in Damanhour that was owned by the Ministry of Health.

His Holiness’s life has always revolved around church since his youth; he wished to live the life of monasticism. He entered the Monastery of St. Pishoy in Wadi Elnatroun on August 20, 1986 and remained a brother for two years. He was ordained a monk on July 31, 1988 and after a year he was ordained a priest on December 23, 1989. Two months after, H.H. Pope Tawadros started serving with H.E. Metropolitan Pakhomious of Beheira on February 15, 1990. He was ordained a bishop on June 15, 1997 by H.H. the Late Pope Shenouda III as a General Bishop assisting H.E. Metropolitan Pakhomious. His Holiness focused on childhood whether it was in the country-wide children’s festival as well when he was in charge of the children’s committee in the Holy Synod. Before assuming the papacy, H.H. wrote twelve books.

His Holiness was enthroned as the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Pope of the See of St. Mark on November 18, 2012 at the Cathedral of St. Reweis in Abbassiya, Cairo. The enthronement was presided by H.E. Metropolitan Pakhomious of Beheira, other metropolitans and bishops of the Coptic church and was attended by many delegates of Christian Churches.

His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef

Listening to the call of the Lord Jesus Christ, His Grace Bishop Youssef entered the monastic life in 1986 at the El-Souryan Monastery. He was ordained into the priesthood in 1988. Then in 1989, he came to the United States under the auspices of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, the 117th Pope of the Holy See of St. Mark. He was appointed resident priest to serve the Coptic congregation of St. Mary Church in Dallas/Fort Worth.

In 1992, His Grace was ordained as General Bishop and in 1993, His Grace was appointed to oversee the Southern Coptic Diocese. In 1995, His Grace was enthroned as the first Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. His Grace was elevated to Metropolitan by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the 118th Pope of the Holy See of St. Mark. 

Thanks to all priests who served at St Barbara Church especially Reverend Fr. Ghobrial Samaan , Reverend Fr. Theophilus Mikhael, and Reverend Fr. Jacob Gendy. May God Bless their services.

Fr. Hegumen Boulos Farid Mikhael

Fr. Boulos Farid Mikhael is the priest for St. Philopateer Coptic Orthodox Church located in Richardson, TX. H.G. Bishop Youssef ordained him priest on February 16, 1997. On December 3, 2017, H.G. Bishop Youssef ordained Fr. Boulos Hegumen. Fr. Boulos has been serving within the Diocese of the Southern United States since February 16, 1997.Fr. Hegumen Boulos serve at the Barbara since it has been until 2024. We pray that the Lord will continue blessing his service. If you would like to reach Fr. Boulos Mikhael by email at frboulos_f@msn.com

Fr. Abraam Farah

Fr. Abraam Farah is the priest for St. George Coptic Orthodox Church located in Arlington, TX. H.G. Bishop Youssef ordained him priest on June 10, 2012. He began his service in St. Abanoub Coptic Orthodox Church in Euless, Texas. Then in late 2012, H.G. Bishop Youssef asked him to serve in St. George Coptic Orthodox Church. Fr. Abraam has been serving within the Diocese of the Southern United States since June 10, 2012. We pray that the Lord will continue blessing his service. If you would like to reach Fr. Abraam Farah, he may be contacted by email at fr.abraamfarah@gmail.com

St. George Coptic Orthodox Church – Arlington, TX

Also, Fr. Abraam Farah will serve St Barbara Coptic Orthodox Church, Shreveport, LA

Fr. Noah Hanna

Fr. Noah Hanna is the priest for St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church in Colleyville, TX. H.E. Metropolitan Youssef ordained him priest on August 20, 2023, with the presence of H.G. Bishop Basil and H.G. Bishop Gregory. Fr. Noah has been serving within the Diocese of the Southern United States since August 20, 2023. We pray that the Lord will continue blessing his service.If you would like to reach Fr. Noah Hanna, he may be contacted by telephone at 201-936-0278 or by email at frnoahhanna@gmail.com

Also, Fr. Noah Hanna will serve St Barbara Coptic Orthodox Church, Shreveport, LA

The Divine Liturgies at St Barbara Church will be 

on the First & Third Saturday every month. 

The live streaming can be watched at Facebook