Who are We?
We? represent? the? youth of the Coptic (Egyptian)Orthodox Church based in Sydney,? Australia. We have travelled to South Africa these past 4 years, on a bi-annual basis, and promote Christianity to the community and youth as a whole.
The? Coptic? Orthodox? Church? was? founded? by? our? patriarch St Mark the Apostle, who first started the mission of spreading the word of our Lord in Alexandria? Egypt? during the First Century A.D. This mission has continued and expanded from the North of Africa to its West and South lands.
Under? the? Bishopric? of? His Grace Bishop Antonious Markos, the Bishop of African?? Affairs,?? the? Coptic? Orthodox? Church? established? a Diocese Headquarters?? in?? South?? Africa?? in? 1977,? and? presently? caters
for approximately 20,000 Coptic African Orthodox Christians.
Why South? Africa?
As? you? may,? or may not, be aware through media exposure, South Africa is currently? going? through? a? ocial and health crisis. AIDS and HIV, along with?? other?? sexually? transmitted? diseases,? are? eating? away? at? the communities? social? fabric. As a result of this, thousands of Africans are dying? from the lack of accessible medication, lack of basic sex education, and above all, lack of a helping spiritual hand.
What do we do?
The? two? trips? per year are for approximately 4 weeks each in January and July.
During? this? time, an invitation is extended to all youth between the ages of 13 to 26 interested in participating in a conference that deals with both medical? and? spiritual? issues.? Health? lectures? and? workshops are also promoted and encouraged to educate the youth of South Africa.
We? are currently? establishing vocational training centre's for the youth and sponsorship? for? further education which will combat unemployment and crime.
What is our overall aim ?
To? provide? a? holistic? outreach to the youth of South Africa and provide them? with? proper? skills? to? maintain? and nurture? their spiritual and physical? day? to? day lives. In other words,? we are not a religious group that focus' on converting souls only. Our aim is to assist anyone seeking a means to a better life through education and spiritual guidance.
Funding
Friends? of Africa receives no government funding and all services are on a volunteer basis. Materials, medicines, and equipment are all freely donated by? rganizations. We are able to maintain and carry out our work through donations only.
If? you? are considering? making? a? donation,? our contact details are as follows:
Coptic Orthodox Church Africa
Commonwealth Bank Australia
Dulwich Hill Branch
BSB No. 062 158
Account No. 06215810131748
Or direct to South Africa:
His Grace Bishop Antonious Markos
PO Box 72191
Parkview 2122, Johannesburg
Republic of
South Africa
Tel: +27(11)486-3544
??????? +27(72)385-5332
Fax:
+27(11)486-3545
If? you? would? like? any? further information, literature or would like to contact? us,? please? see? our? website at www.copticafrica.com or contact Debbie? Armanious at darmanious@copticmail.com, spokesperson for Friends of Africa.
God bless
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