Welcome - St. Mary & St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church

C o p t i c O r t h o d o x C a t h e d r a l - S y d n e y A u s t r a l i a

The Coptic Church in Australia was established when a few Copts diligently searched for a permanent home for their Church in Sydney. An old Methodist Church was offered for sale and the Church Council under the leadership of Fr. Mina purchased the double storey Church building at 24 A Railway Road, Sydenham. The Church was given the name of St. Mary and St. Mina. It was to be the first Coptic Church in Australia and the first owned by Coptic migrants outside of Egypt.

The first liturgy celebrated in the newly purchased church was on the 29 March, 1970.

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Truly St. Mary and St. Mina’s Cathedral is the mother church of Australia which has given birth to eleven parishes in Sydney. Moreover, from its youth and servants have emerged four monks, two of which have go on to become Bishops, as well as two priests:

Fr. Daniel El Antouny (1978)
Bishop Angelos (1990)
Bishop Sourial (1991)
Fr. Mauritius El Anba Bishoy (1993)
Fr. Athanasious Ibrahim (2002)
Fr. David Mahrous (2004)

There have been numerous Priests who have served in St. Mary and St. Mina's since it's establishment:-

Fr. Mina Nematalla (1969 - 1974)
Fr. Youhana Thabet (1975)
Fr. Mina Michael (December 1975 - August 1977)
Fr. Moussa Soliman (1977 - 1979).
Fr. Samuel W. Guirguis (1979- 1980).
Fr. Hanania El Anba Bishoy (April 1980).
Fr. Theodosious El Anba Bishoy (May 1980 - August 1986)
Fr. Samuel W. Guirguis (December 1986 +)
Fr. Pavlos Hanna (May 1993 - March 1995)
Fr. Mikhail Mikhail (March 1995 - August 2003)
Fr. Bassilios Gad (January 2002 +)
Fr. Yousef Fanous (May 2004 +)

On the 15th of February, 1998 St. Mary & St. Mina's Coptic Orthodox College was established as an extension of the educational role of the church. This college is the second Coptic Orthodox College established in Sydney, Australia. Through the blessings of God, the hard work of the college staff and under the direction of Fr. Mikhail Mikhail, the college is continually growing and flourishing. To view the college's website click here.

Soon after the establishment of the college, through the blessings of our Holy mother St. Mary and the prayers of our beloved St. Mina, the Church was relocated to Bexley on the 15th of February, 2001 having spent 31 years at the Sydenham site.

Since moving, the Church has expanded and with God's Blessings, so too have the services. There is now a greater range of services to cater for the different needs of the congregation.

We have also been blessed with Fr. Youssef Fanous who was recently ordained to our parish. May the Lord guide and protect our Father's the priests and reward them with the heavenly rewards.

May the Lord continue to Bless our services and church.