The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States is a diocese of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria located in the United States of America and encompassing the states of Alabama,

Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. History The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States was established in 1993 by Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria in response to the growing number of Coptic Orthodox Churches abroad, especially concentrated in the South. It was the first Coptic Orthodox Diocese to be established in the United States.

Statistics YearMembershipPriestsParishesHegumenPresbytersTotalChurchesCommunitiesTotal19930556* -6*19940666* -6*19950776* -6*19960887* -7*1997110117* -7*1998111127* -7*1999113147* -7*2000215177* -7*2001317207* -7*2002319227* -7*2003320237* -7*2004320237*1*8*2005620269*1*10*2006621279*1*10*20079223110*1*11*20089243310*1*11*20099263512*1*13*201010293912*1*13*201110283816*1*17*201210364618*4*22*20139384719*4*23*20149384719*4*23*201594049382864*Number of confirmed churches; actual number of churches in any given year could have and probably was much larger.

Parishes and schools As of 2023, the Diocese of the Southern United States operates 64 parishes. However, only 38 of these of formal churches, the other 26 are categorized as communities, which means that they are congregations, and usually possess a church building, but are not full churches yet in that they are not large enough by diocesan standards to be recognized as churches. Communities are served by a visiting priest from a recognized church.

Schools The diocese currently operates one school, and religious education is provided to children in the form of Sunday School classes at local Coptic churches.

Publications The Diocese of the Southern United States publishes three magazines: Mighty Angels, Mighty Arrows, and Mighty Champions.

Bishops Metropolitan Youssef (1993–present) Bishop Basil (2018–present) Bishop Gregory (2018–present)

References

External links Official Site