Search Results

HOME I'M NEW WATCH ABOUT CALENDAR SERVICES EXPLORE DONATE CONTACT More Experience true freedom by cultivating your identity in Christ. Connect With Us Unable to attend? Watch from the comfort of your home. WATCH HERE Who Are We? St. Moses & St. Katherine Coptic Orthodox Church is part of the greater Coptic– also known as Egyptian– Orthodox Church, which was established by St. Mark, the apostle and gospel writer. SMSK was established in Downtown Toronto in 2011, with the mission of helping you wield the enduring power of an ancient faith while navigating a modern world. Button Sundays aren't only about worship — get 'fed' through our Sunday Series talks. Sunday Series ​ Every week after liturgy, Father John shares a homily on a relevant, and timely spiritual topic over an 'agape' – also understood as "communal" – meal. Pre-School Middle School Elementary School High School Start your journey at SMSK: Join Us Sunday Experience the Divine Liturgy, participate in Coptic Orthodox worship, and enjoy a Sunday Series talk. Connect with Fr. John Book a confession appointment, a home blessing, or other spiritual service with Fr. John. Join a local 'village' Get together with other local congregants for casual outings and much-needed fellowship. Ready to change your life? Join us for an 11 week course. Find services aligned to your stage of life. Students Connect with post-secondary students and graduates. Young Adults Meet young professionals, like yourself. Committed Relationship Build community with other couples. Ready to change your life? Join us on Sunday! Get involved, or find helpful resources. Serve our community Helping hands are always needed, so explore available volunteer opportunities. Join one of our ministries Want to get involved in an impactful way? Commit to a ministry you find meaningful. Get support for life transitions Find out how to get connected with a mentor and get enrolled in "life resources," like marriage preparation Ready to change your life? Join us on Sunday! Anchor 1 SMSK — A ministry of love, outreach, and integration in the inner city of Toronto. Established in 2011, the Church of St. Moses & St. Katherine is a ministry dedicated to the glorification of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit the Comforter. This community was founded on three deep-seated values that we embrace every single day —culturally, spiritually, emotionally, rationally. They are: 1. A faithful community to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, hungry for spiritual growth and desiring to be a healing presence in the neighbourhood. 2. A worshipping community which offers praise, glory, honour, and reverence to God in all things, as is due to Him. 3. A multicultural community ministering to diverse members of the body of Christ, holding a myriad of ethnicities, languages, and lived experiences. Missionary in nature, our mission is to spread the Good News throughout Downtown Toronto. We do this by nurturing SMSK into a home for the 'unchurched,' and by channeling the love of God in service to our neighbours through humanitarian work. Follow us on our social media channels, and engage in compelling content throughout the day: Don’t miss a beat—discover upcoming events and add them to your calendar. Calendar CONNECT WITH US Stay informed. Stay Connected. Get notified of upcoming events, important announcements, and so much more when you sign up to receive communications from us. Email First Name Last Name Phone Select an option Metro Toronto Area Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Choose your pizza toppings: Message series, events, and general information Events and opportunities for parents Events and opportunities for single adults Events and opportunities for married couples Events and opportunities for young adults Marriage Preparation Course High School Ministry Middle School Ministry Kids' Ministry Subscribe Thanks for submitting! Location St Moses & St Katherine Coptic Orthodox Church 557 Bathurst Street Toronto M5S 2P8 Sundays 9:00 to 11:00 am Wednesdays 6:00 to 8:00 am

About St. Moses & St. Katherine Coptic Orthodox Church Established in 2011, the Church of St. Moses & St. Katherine is a ministry dedicated to the glorification of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit the Comforter. This community was founded on three deep-seated values that we embrace every single day —culturally, spiritually, emotionally, rationally. They are: 1. A faithful community to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, hungry for spiritual growth and desiring to be a healing presence in the neighbourhood. 2. A worshipping community which offers praise, glory, honour, and reverence to God in all things, as is due to Him. 3. A multicultural community ministering to diverse members of the body of Christ holding a myriad of ethnicities, languages, and lived experiences. Missionary in nature, our mission is to spread the Good News throughout Downtown Toronto. We do this by nurturing SMSK into a home for the 'unchurched' and by channeling the love of God in service to our neighbours through humanitarian work. Our Patron Saints St. Moses the Strong 332 - 407 AD, Commemorated on July 1st Born in 332 AD, St. Moses the Strong was a slave of a government official in Egypt who dismissed him for theft and suspected murder. He became the leader of a gang of bandits who roamed the Nile Valley spreading terror and violence. He was a large, imposing figure. Attempting to hide from local authorities, he took shelter with some monks in a monastery in the desert of Scete, near Alexandria. After witnessing their godliness, especially that of St. Isidore who would become his spiritual guide, and experiencing the forgiveness of the Lord Jesus, St. Moses embraced the Living God and soon after gave up his old way of life to join this monastic community. His baptism marked the beginning of a struggle against his former fleshly passions and he had a rather difficult time adjusting to regular monastic discipline. Attacked by a group of robbers in his desert cell, Moses fought back, overpowered the intruders, and dragged them to the chapel where the other monks were at prayer. He told the brothers that he didn't think it Christian to hurt the robbers and asked what he should do with them. The overwhelmed robbers repented, were converted, and themselves joined the community. Read St. Katherine of Alexandria 287 - 305 AD, Commemorated on November 25th St. Katherine was the daughter of Constus, the governor of Alexandrian Egypt during the reign of Emperor Maximian. Living in the capital and possessing a rare beauty and intellect, Katherine received an excellent education, studying the works of the greatest philosophers and teachers of antiquity. Young men from across the empire sought her hand, but she was not interested in any of them, vowing she would only enter into marriage with someone who surpassed her in nobility, wealth, and wisdom. Katherine’s mother, who was secretly a Christian, sent her daughter to her own spiritual Father, a saintly monk living in a cave outside the city. After listening to Katherine, the monk said that he knew of a suitor who surpassed her in everything. “His countenance is more radiant than the shining of the sun, and all of creation is governed by His wisdom. His riches are given to all the nations of the world, yet they never diminish. His compassion is unequaled.” This description of Jesus Christ, the Heavenly Bridegroom, produced in Katherine’s soul an ardent desire to see Him. “If you do as I tell you,” said the monk, “you will gaze upon the countenance of this illustrious man.” Read Moses was zealous in all he did, but became discouraged when he concluded he was not perfect enough. Early one morning, St. Isidore, abbot of the community, took Brother Moses to the roof and together they watched the first rays of dawn come over the horizon. Isidore told Moses, "Only slowly do the rays of the sun drive away the night and usher in a new day, and thus, only slowly does one become a perfect contemplative." They could see below them devils on one side, but innumerable angels on the other side. Understanding that the power of God was triumphant over all other powers, St Moses took courage and returned to his cell. Moses proved to be a compassionate elder. When a brother committed a fault and Moses was invited to a meeting to discuss an appropriate penance, Moses refused to attend. When he was again called to the meeting, Moses took a perforated sack of sand that left a trail as he carried it on his shoulder. When he arrived at the meeting place, the others asked why he was carrying the sack. He replied, "My sins run out behind me and I do not see them, but today I am coming to judge the errors of another." On hearing this, the assembled brothers forgave the erring monk. Moses became the spiritual leader of over 70+ hermits in the desert. At about age 75, word came that a group of renegades planned to attack the colony. The brothers wanted to defend themselves, but Moses forbade it. He told them to retreat, rather than take up weapons. He and seven others remained behind and greeted the invaders with open arms, but all eight were martyred by the bandits. We pray to Abba Moses for his intercession. In parting, the monk handed Katherine an icon of the Theotokos with the divine Child Jesus on Her arm and told her to pray with faith to the Queen of Heaven to be granted her heart’s desire. Katherine prayed all night and was permitted to see the Most Holy Virgin, who said to Her Divine Son, “Behold Thy handmaiden Katherine, how fair and virtuous she is.” But the Child turned His face away from her saying, “No, she is ugly and unbelieving. She is a foolish pauper, and I cannot bear to look at her until she forsakes her impiety.” Katherine returned again to the monk deeply saddened, and told him what she had seen in the dream. He lovingly received her, instructed her in the faith of Christ, admonished her to preserve her purity and integrity and to pray unceasingly. She then received holy Baptism from him. Again, Katherine had a vision of the Most Holy Theotokos with Her Child. Now the Lord looked tenderly at her and gave her a beautiful ring, a wondrous token of her betrothal to the Heavenly Bridegroom. About this same time, Emperor Maximian was visiting Alexandria for a pagan festival. Human victims who refused to deny Christ were brought before him and were condemned to death in the fire. Katherine’s love for the Christian martyrs and her fervent desire to ease their sufferings compelled her to speak to the pagan priest and to the emperor. Introducing herself, she confessed her faith in the One True God. Katherine’s beauty captivated the emperor. In order to show the superiority of pagan wisdom, the emperor ordered fifty of the most learned philosophers in the empire to dispute her claims, but the saint got the better of the wise men, so that they came to believe in Christ themselves. St. Katherine made the Sign of the Cross over the martyrs, and they bravely accepted death for Christ, being burned alive by order of the emperor. Maximian then tried to entice Katherine with the promise of riches and fame. Receiving an angry refusal, the emperor gave orders that she be tortured and then thrown in prison. On the following day, Katherine was again ordered before the judgment court where, under the threat of being broken on the wheel, she was urged to renounce the Christian Faith and offer sacrifice to the gods. She steadfastly confessed Christ and approached the wheel, but an angel smashed the instrument of execution, which shattered into pieces. Having witnessed this event, Empress Augusta and Imperial Courtier Porphyrius with 200 soldiers confessed their faith in Christ in front of everyone. Upon her husband’s orders, Empress Augusta and the others were beheaded. Maximian again tried to entice Katherine, proposing marriage to her, but again she refused. St. Katherine firmly confessed her fidelity to the heavenly Bridegroom Christ, and with a prayer to Him, she herself lay her head on the block beneath the executioner's sword. She was martyred at the age of 25. Meet Our Staff Priest and Lead Pastor Fr. John Boutros Communications Consultant Sandra has been passionately serving with and leading the Aroland Mission team for over a decade. She has as very gentle, loving heart for the disenfranchised, combined with creative flair. ​ ​ Sandra Abdel Malek Fr John Boutros is priest of a young downtown church in Toronto, Canada, St Moses & St Katherine Coptic Orthodox Church. Fr John met the girl of his dreams, Mary, and was married in 2011, and is now daddy to Anastasia, Zoë and Élise. Ordained in July 2012, he was previously a paediatric surgeon. Now, Fr John serves a wide-variety of urban dwellers, students, and young professionals. Fr John is equally passionate for the marginalized, the poor, and those who have no one. Being in a community of disciples of Jesus, steeped in ancient faith and Orthodoxy, rooted in Coptic heritage, we live to incarnate God’s love in a metropolitan setting. Operations Manager Mira Vuletic Mira Vuletic has a passion for serving others; It's her love language. A mom of three and a wife of one, she feels beyond blessed that she landed at SMSK as her home church for over 6 years. She is thrilled to be working in an operations role reporting into the Big Man upstairs. Finance Director Marina Hanna Marina Hanna is a Chartered Accountant and is blessed to be able to serve SMSK as the Finance Director. She lives with her husband and three kids in Mississauga where she attends the Church of the Resurrection. Special Projects Manager Marina Khalil Custodian Matthew Lee Matthew has been the custodian of SMSK for the past 7 years, and takes great pride in his work. A particularly skilled handyman who knows his way around a toolbox, Matthew has come to the rescue many times for the SMSK building. If he doesn't know how to fix it, he will eventually, because of his life-long learner attitude. Thank you, Matthew, for keeping the lights on! ​ Matthew has lived in Canada for 32 years, and loves using his spiritual gifts of discernment and compassion to help people. He enjoys making people laugh, and always has a joke up his sleeve. Feel free to strike up a conversation with Matthew, as he's an easy-going guy, who wants to make you feel welcome! Marina is a health services manager and pharmacist by training, dedicated to leading teams of healthcare professionals in providing compassionate and meaningful patient care. Part of the SMSK family since 2013, she has always been driven by her passion for service, mission, and outreach. Her dream is to see SMSK become a beacon for Christ’s love in our community where everybody feels welcomed, loved, and accepted. Outside of work, Marina enjoys mission trips, organizing events and campaigns, learning about new saints, and orphaned baby elephants (in no particular order). Staff Administrator Eden Tesfamichael Eden Tesfamichael is the Staff Administrator at St. Moses & St. Katherine Coptic Orthodox Church. She is a member of Qudus Mikael Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church. Only being called into Orthodoxy in her early adult life, she feels blessed to witness her two children grow up in the True Faith. Eden’s patron saint is St. John the Baptist and is strengthened by our Lord’s words spoken in Matthew 6:33. Steward of Community Ministries Hanan Sunbaty Hanan joined SMSK and became an active member on Jan 6, 2014. Her professional experience is in banking, insurance products and marketing. Hanan is a people person, with so much love to give because everyone has the image of God in him; everyone has something special to give. Her joy is in people and with people. When in her own, she enjoys books, financial discussions, biking, politics (knowing only), swimming, water and forests, and hiking. A Short History on the Coptic Orthodox Church The word “Copt” is derived from the Greek word “Aegyptus”, meaning "Egypt." The Copts are the direct descendants of the ancient Egyptians. St. Mark, a disciple of African origin and the writer of the earliest Gospel, came to Egypt preaching salvation in the dawn of the Christian faith. He arrived in Alexandria around the year 48 A.D. and was martyred in 68 A.D. In that short period. St. Mark was able to witness to the faith and founded the Church in Egypt. Since that time, Christianity spread like fire throughout the country. The main reason for this was the fact that the Egyptians have always been a religiously minded people, having certain tenets and beliefs, which later were identified with the teachings of the Christian religion. Throughout history, the Coptic Church played quite a significant role in shaping and defining Christian doctrines. The contribution of the Coptic Church to world Christianity can be briefly summarized in the following five epochs: Theological Scholarship; Ecumenism; Martyrdom; Monasticism; and Missions. The Orthodox Creed We believe in one God; God the Father the Pantocrator, Who created heaven and earth, and all things seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light; True God of True God, begotten, not created; of One Essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us, men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary, and became Man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; suffered, and was buried. And the third day He rose from the dead, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into the heavens; He sits at the right hand of His Father; and He is coming again in His glory to judge the living and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end. Yes, we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father; who, with the Father and the Son, is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets And in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church, we confess one baptism for the remission of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the coming age. Amen.

Share life, faith, hope and Jesus at Alpha . Alpha is an 11-week course that creates a space, online or in person, where people are excited to bring their friends for a conversation about life, faith and Jesus. What is Alpha? Alpha is a way to inspire and equip churches to create a space where people from any background can encounter Jesus. The same Alpha content is run all over the world, by Christians of all traditions, and provides a common expression of faith. What does an Alpha Session look like? 1 Connection At each 2-2.5 hour session, there is a time of connection over refreshments and/or drinks, where possible. 2 Content The time of connection is followed by a talk on a subject central to the Christian faith. They explore the big issues of life and faith and unpack the basics of Christian belief, addressing questions like “Who is Jesus?”, “Why and how do I pray?” and “How does God guide us?” 3 Conversation After the talk, participants divide into pre-arranged small groups, in which they remain for the duration of the Alpha course. The groups provide participants with opportunity to discuss the talk in an environment where each person is free to ask or say whatever they wish. What topics does Alpha cover? Is there more to life than this? Who is Jesus? Why did Jesus die? How can I have faith? Why and how do I pray? Why and how do I read the Bible? How does God guide us? Who is the Holy Spirit? What does the Holy Spirit do? How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit? How can I make the most of the rest of my life? How can I resist evil? Why and how should I tell others? Does God heal today? What about the Church? Join Us! Email us at info@smsk.ca ​

Connect With Others Experience for yourself why we say life is better connected. To grow spiritually, you have to be connected relationally. ​ Groups are a place where people have the opportunity to pursue authentic community and spiritual growth. When you join a group, you will spend time socializing, learning, and praying together. All you have to do is show up, join in, and be real. Groups for Every Season of Life SMSK Kids Committed Relationship Students Young Professionals Got Questions?

VOLUNTEER The best way to make North Point Community Church feel like your church. Join a team. ​ Serving is a great way to get connected with others and make a difference. It's also a great way to make a big church feel like your church. Opportunities to Serve Guest services for volunteer Parking Team, greeters and ushers for Adult Services Waumba land Ages 6 weeks - Pre K Upstreet Ages kindergarten to 5th grade Transit Grade 6th to 8th Inside out Grade 9th to 12th Opportunities to Serve Mentoring volunteers Leverage your experience to guide others through transition. Adult group services Experience first hand how leading a group can change your life Volunteer in the community Have a real life impact on the people in your own neighborhood Volunteer around the world Serving at risk communities around the world

SERVE OUR COMMUNITY SMSK has a host of community-based ministries that need your service "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45 Our serving experience starts here! ​ Engaging in service is a great way of putting our faith into action, and being the hands and feet of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We've compiled a list below of services offered at SMSK, and services with which SMSK is affiliated. If you already know the service in which you would like to participate, please click here to get started, and let us know in your message. St. Peter's Mission “Love your neighbour, as I have loved you, in action.” The vision of St. Peter’s Mission (SPM) is to serve the marginalized and underserved communities in general, and the South East Scarborough community in particular. ​ SPM provides lunches on Saturdays to 320 residents of Lawrence Ave. East and Morningside Housing buildings, as well as Christmas and Thanksgiving celebrations. It also provides for their needs in the capacity of furniture, mattresses, clothing, kitchen items, cleaning supplies, and other items. ​ SPM has gained the trust of the communities in Scarborough, and now provides spiritual guidance as well as love, compassion, and friendship. During COVID, SPM distributed door to door lunches as well as groceries to alleviate the lack of Food Banks’ donations to this community. SPM has also provided books, puzzles, games, and more to help reduce their feelings of loneliness during a worldwide pandemic. ​ SPM serves also Mornelle community by providing weekly dinners (restarting soon due to COVID) , a Christmas toy drive (150 toys in ’21), a Christmas party for kids , and helps organize March break and summer camps . ​ St Peter’s Mission is always in need of new servants to help Scarborough South East community, Come join SPM! Contact Hanan at 416-518-3666 for details. Community Meals @ SMSK 4:30 - 6:30 PM on Saturdays 12:30 - 1:30 PM on Tuesdays & Thursdays Christmas Food & Clothing Drive Seasonal

Young Adults @ SMSK A ministry of love, integration, and outreach. Welcome to the Young Adults Ministry at SMSK! Beginning your career in the big city can be slightly intimidating, especially when you're still learning how to adult. At SMSK, we're here to help you get plugged into community, truly feel at home, and make SMSK your home. Life Groups at SMSK You're not meant to do life alone. Life groups at SMSK ensure that you're surrounded with community as you traverse the peaks and valleys of this beautiful life. We meet Tuesday nights at SMSK. ​ For more information on how you can join a life group, please reach out to Dena Marcos at smallgroups@smsk.ca Thursday Night Dinners Can't get enough of deep, Christ-centered discussions? Join us on Thursday nights, where we gather together for a meal, receive a spiritual word from a speaker, followed by dynamic small-group discussions. ​ For more information, please contact Ebram Ayad & Sandra Abdelmalek at ebramayad@smsk.ca Campfire Nights It's a Monday evening in the summer, and the weather is perfect for a social gathering. If only there were a place you could go for a cozy evening bonfire...Look no further than "Campfire Nights" by OCSA. Join us for a spiritual word, snacks, and fellowship. ​ For more information, please contact students@smsk.ca

CARE AND COUNSELING In times of transition, we can all use a guide to navigate life. FIND HELP THROUGH LIFE'S TRANSITIONS. EXPLORE MENTOR OPTIONS Join a team. ​ Serving is a great way to get connected with others and make a difference. It's also a great way to make a big church feel like your church. Financial Mentoring Charting a path to a financial freedom Premarital Mentoring Preparing for a lifetime, not just a day Life Mentoring Helping navigate life challenges Marriage Enrichment Conversations to help every marriage Divorce Recovery Helping those separated or divorced Parent Connect A community for parents of LGBTQ+ children FOOD AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Resources for those experiencing hardship LEARN MORE Emotional Support Resources to manage anxiety and stress Counseling Referrals Trusted professional counselors Recovery Support on the journey to recovery Career Assistance Help in the midst of career transition HOW CAN WE HELP? Would you like to speak to someone about one of our options, a funeral, a wedding officiant, or a specific prayer request? Become a mentor Allow God to use your experiences to help another person to move forward in life.

Contact Us Submit Thanks for submitting!

VOLUNTEER The best way to make North Point Community Church feel like your church. Resources on Race Opportunities to explore on your own Resources on faith Opportunities to explore on your own

Can't attend in person? No problem. Divine Liturgy Sunday 9am - 11am & Thursday 6am - 8am Vespers & Midnights Praises : Saturday 7pm Seeing Red Series: Sunday 11am Meet with us online through our live stream. WATCH NOW Watch Recent Talks by Fr. John Listen - How to Hear the Voice of the Holy Spirit Fr. John Boutros Join Fr. John @StMosesStKatherine Church as he walks us through how we can avoid missing the point by looking at the heart. WATCH Jesus, King of Our Hearts Peter Fanous Sir, we wish to see Jesus! Tune in as Peter Fanous shares with us how he sees Jesus in light of the Pascha readings of Palm Sunday! WATCH Arise, O Sleeper Fr. John Boutros Fr John breaks down how he always prays the Liturgy spiritually, even from when before he was a priest. WATCH

We're glad you're here Let's help you plan a visit or take the best next step. Planning a first-time visit? We'd love to help. Connect With Us. Learn about opportunities and receive helpful resources. Connect with others Meet with other local congregants. Looking to grow your faith? Get a personalized plan Got questions? We'd love to help. Contact us. First Name Last Name Email Phone Question / Comment Submit Form Thanks for submitting!