Virgin Mary Coptic Orthodox Church
The History of Virgin Mary Coptic Orthodox Church
As the service was expanding and the Coptic Orthodox community in Brisbane, Australia was growing, there was a need to buy a bigger premises to accommodate for future needs.
23 October 1998
During the service of Very Reverend Fr. Moussa Soliman, Mr. Naguib Ghobrial found a 2.5 acre land in Calamvale which the congregation later purchased for $250,000.
2002
The construction of the Church Hall and Sunday School Buildings started on the new land through the efforts of the architect Mr. Nabil Wissa, and the engineers Mr. Michael Nashed and Mr. Nashat Sidhom as well as the generous donations and sacrificial efforts of the late Dr. Zakaria Boules.
20 August 2005
Official Opening of the Church Hall and the Sunday School buildings by His Grace Bishop Daniel, Bishop of the Diocese of Sydney and Affiliated Regions accompanied by the Vicar of the Diocese of Sydney, Fr Tadros Samaan and the Vicar of Queensland Fr Yacoub El-Antoni.
January 2006
The beginning of weekly Divine Liturgies and Spiritual Services such as Sunday School and Youth Meetings in the Virgin Mary Church, Calamvale.
the Laying of the Foundation Stone of our New Cathedral on Sunday 16th June 2019.
Since January 2006, God has blessed the Virgin Mary Church with many new services and initiatives:
April 2006
The beginning of the weekly Indoor Sports Service for school age children and youth, to develop healthy bodies and relationships.
2007
1st Annual Taste of Egypt Fete to raise the awareness the Coptic Orthodox faith amongst the local community and engage with them and raise money for the services of the church.
2009
1st performance of St Yulita Youth Choir (which later became known as the Eporanion Youth Choir) utilizing our youths’ musical talent in praising God.
2012
The beginning of the weekly Uplift Street Service for the homeless of the Brisbane CBD to provide companionship and basic necessities to those less fortunate.
2 February 2013
The promotion of Subdeacon Magdi Ikladious to become Deacon Kyrillos, the 1st Coptic Orthodox Deacon in Queensland.
December 2013
The 1st Annual Ecumenical Carols by Candlelight, to bring various Christian denominations together and the local Calamvale community together for Christmas and raise funds for the homeless of Brisbane.
19 December 2014
The beginning of the Nursing Home Service promoting companionship and care for the elderly within the local Calamvale community.
1 August 2015
Inaugural Oriental Orthodox Liturgy between the Coptic, Eritrean, Ethiopian and Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Churches.
September 2016
The beginning of the Spiritual Service for the Syrian and Iraqi Refugees who had fled the persecution of ISIS.
19 April 2015
Inaugural ANZAC Day Commemoration to pray for peace and remember the sacrifice of the ANZACs.
2017
The beginning of the Scouts service to develop our children to achieve their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential.
31 December 2017
1 Performance of the Theotokos Choir which utilizes the musical talents of the Arabic speaking parishioners to glorify and praise God.
1 April 2018
1st performance of the LAMBS Choir (primary School) to develop our young children’s love of praising God.
20 April 2018
The 1st Weekly Arabic Family Meeting to cater for the needs of our parents.
3 June 2018
Opening of the David and Jonathan Youth Space to give youth a dedicated place to socialize, study and conduct spiritual meetings.
1 February 2019
The beginning of the service of the Very Reverend Fr. Mattaous Wahba, Vicar of Queensland, at the Virgin Mary parish.
16 February 2019
Reverend Fr. David Mahrous is elevated to the rank of Hegomen by the hands of His Grace Bishop Daniel of Sydney and Affiliated Regions.
8 June 2019
First meeting for the Yolo Service (Youth Only a Little Older) Service for Young Professionals and Graduates.
16 June 2019
Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Virgin Mary Cathedral to cater for the growing needs of our growing congregation.
Thank God for what he has done for us and what He will continue to do for us in the future.
“So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, Will give You thanks forever; We will show forth Your praise to all generations.”
Psalms 79:13