Coptic Orthodox Church in Scandinavia
Welcome to the Coptic Orthodox Church in Scandinavia, a vibrant and growing community dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich heritage of the ancient Coptic Christian tradition in the Nordic region. Established with a mission to spread the teachings of love, peace, and faith, our community is committed to fostering spiritual growth, cultural understanding, and unity among believers.
As a part of the global Coptic Orthodox Church, our Scandinavian congregation embraces the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our members, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. Our worship services, conducted in the Coptic language, provide a unique and spiritually enriching experience, blending ancient traditions with the contemporary needs of our community.
With a focus on outreach and community engagement, we strive to build bridges of understanding and friendship with our neighbors in Scandinavia. Through religious education, cultural events, and charitable activities, we aim to contribute positively to the fabric of our local society while upholding the timeless values of the Coptic Orthodox faith.
Join us on our journey of faith, fellowship, and cultural exchange as we continue to grow and share the beauty of the Coptic Orthodox tradition in the heart of Scandinavia.
Our Pope and Patriarch
Pope Tawadros II is the 118th and current Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, succeeding the late Pope Shenouda III as leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. He took office on 18 November 2012 (9 Hathor 1729), two weeks after being selected.
His Holiness’s life has always revolved around church since his youth; he wished to live the life of monasticism. He entered the Monastery of St. Pishoy in Wadi Elnatroun on August 20th, 1986 and remained a brother for two years. He was ordained a monk on July 31, 1988 and after a year he was ordained a priest on December 23, 1989. Two months after, H.H. Pope Tawadros started serving with H.E. Metropolitan Pakhomius of Beheira on February 15th, 1990. He was ordained a bishop on June 15th, 1997 by H.H. the Late Pope Shenouda III as a General Bishop assisting H.E. Metropolitan Pakhomius. His Holiness focused on childhood whether it was in the country-wide children’s festival as well when he was in charge of the children’s committee in the Holy Synod. Before assuming the papacy, H.H. wrote twelve books.
Our Bishop
Bishop Anba Abakir was born Nady Samir Gobran in Cairo on May 4, 1962. He earned a medical degree from Ain Shams University in Cairo before dedicating his life to monastic service. On January 22, 1995, he was ordained a monk at St. Bishoy Monastery in Wadi El-Natrun, Egypt, taking the name Father Abakir El-Anba Bishoy. He later served the Coptic Church in Abu Dhabi.
In 2004, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, the 117th Pope of Alexandria, appointed Father Abakir as a general bishop, bestowing upon him the name Bishop Anba Abakir. Throughout his ministry, he has served in the United States, Canada, and primarily in Cairo. In addition to his pastoral duties, he has composed hymns and psalms.
In 2009, Pope Shenouda III appointed Bishop Anba Abakir as the bishop of Scandinavia, overseeing the Coptic Orthodox Church in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. Under his leadership, the Coptic Diocese of Scandinavia was established, with its headquarters in Södertälje, Sweden.
The St. Mina Church in Södertälje was inaugurated in 2009 and later consecrated with the Holy Myron Oil by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II during his visit to Sweden in September 2015. That same year, the St. Mark and St. Pope Cyril VI Church was consecrated in Norsborg, along with St. Demiana Church in Malmö. Coptic congregations have also been established in Tensta, Jakobsberg, Upplands Väsby, Norrköping, and Kiruna, alongside the original churches in Stockholm and Gothenburg (St. Mary and St. Paul, and St. George, respectively).
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