ABOUT US
We are an Orthodox Christian Church and our history and faith dates back to the time of the apostles when
St. Mark the Evangelist came to Egypt and preached Christianity to all the land. Our faith and tradition has remained unchanged since St. Mark came and brought the Good News of Christ to the Egyptians.
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OUR CHURCH
The idea to build a church in Modesto, California,
in the name of St. Mark the Apostle came after a car accident that killed a fine young man named Mark Abadir. His mother, now departed, Nabila Abadir, went through a very difficult time and was understandably inconsolable.
A kind and beloved priest, Father John Iskandar happened to be visiting to console Nabila and her husband Maher Abadir. In her grief, Nabila suddenly asks Fr. John: “what can I do to ease this agonizing pain and grief I feel inside?” Without hesitating, Father John answered: “start a church, in Mark’s honor, here in Modesto”. This was the first spark that was ignited to establish St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church on February 24, 1997.
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On September 1st, 2001,
the church was purchased at a very reasonable price which made us realize that it was truly a gift from the Lord Almighty through the intercession of St. Mark the Apostle and the martyr.
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After finally moving in on January 1st, 2002,
we worked day and night to transform it into a Coptic church. The work continued for about two years until it was completed by the grace of the Lord.
CLERGY
Fr. Bishoy Halim came from St. Anthony and Gawargios Church in Cairo. He has been serving at St. Mark Coptic Church since April 2016.
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