St. Athanasius & St. Cyril Theological School

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Preaching the Kingdom, Teaching Christ. During the same visit, His Holiness established seminaries in New Jersey and Australia. Pope Shenouda, with the Very Rev.

History of a Theological School in Los Angeles

In 1987, the Trice-Blessed Pope Shenouda III sent various correspondences to the clergy of Los Angeles regarding his desire to establish a theological school in North America. After much effort and examination of the matter, a theological seminary was inaugurated by the late, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III during his second papal visit to the United States in November 1989. On that blessed occasion, His Holiness delivered a message to the faithful of Los Angeles regarding his vision for the importance of a theological school in America. From 1989 to 1995 a board of directors, and courses were established, under the direct supervision and blessing of H.H. Fr. Mikhail Edward Mikhail as Academic Dean, and Very Rev. Felimon Mikhail as Administrative Dean. In 1993, the first class of students graduated from the seminary, followed by a second group in 2004. In July 2007, St. Athanasius and St. Cyril Theological Library was established in preparation for a theological school that would further the efforts of Pope Shenouda Theological Seminary by organizing theological conferences, seminars, and events throughout the Diocese. In 2015, the two organizations were merged to form Saint Athanasius and Saint Cyril Theological School (ACTS), currently based in Pomona, California under the guidance, auspices and blessing of His Grace Bishop Serapion.

10/28/2026

True understanding of Scripture is never found through study alone. It requires prayer, humility, guidance, and qualified teachers who can faithfully pass down what has been received; it requires a close following of the wisdom of the Church Fathers who came before us.

At ACTS, theological education is rooted in this same tradition: prayerful study, trustworthy guidance, and faithfulness to the teaching of the Church. Learn more about advancing your theological education during our Spring 2027 semester at www.acts.edu.

10/27/2026

Year of Dreams: Join Us From Anywhere!

Can’t join us in person? Distance doesn’t have to mean disconnection. For our long-distance and non-local ACTS community members, there’s still a way to be part of this year’s Gala and support the continued mission of Orthodox education at ACTS. Wherever you are, you can still be part of this dream.

With a minimum gift of $40, you’ll support our continued mission of a quality Orthodox education for all. As our way of saying thank you, we’ll also send exclusive gala materials, including a recording from the event, sent directly to your inbox.

Select this option using our registration link at acts.edu/events before our registration deadline this Friday, October 30th.

10/25/2026

“Do you understand what you are reading?” — Acts 8:30

Today we commemorate the departure of St. Philip. As we reflect on the life and ministry of this blessed saint, we remember his faithful evangelism in preserving the deposit of faith entrusted to him.

In Acts 8, Philip is sent by the Holy Spirit to a desert road where he meets an Ethiopian official reading the Prophet Isaiah. The man had the Scriptures in hand, but needed support in understanding them. Philip explained the text, and the man was baptized that same hour.

This is the heart of ‘evangelizomai’ — the Greek word that means to ‘proclaim the Good News.’ Philip interpreted the Scriptures and proclaimed Christ to the Ethiopian official, leading to the official’s baptism.

Theological education is entrusted to us, for our service to our families, friends, neighbors, and even strangers we meet along the road.

Want to grow in your own understanding of Scripture? Keep an eye out for our courses on Biblical Studies (Old and New Testament), as well as our courses on Greek. In particular, our NEWT 5025: Introduction to the New Testament course with Fr. David Elias, coming soon for Spring 2027.

Apply for ACTS and learn more about our Spring 2027 courses at acts.edu.

10/22/2026

Year of Dreams: A Taste of an ACTS Education

What does an ACTS education actually look like? Come and see. ✨

This year’s Annual Gala will feature two mini-lectures from our faculty, offering a taste of the Orthodox theological education we provide at ACTS:

📖 Fr. Dr. Macarius Refela on “Historical Theology and the Importance of Reading Closely.”

📖 Dr. Meriam Ibrahim on “Preparing Leaders to Serve the Church.”

This gala is more than a celebration of the past. It’s a vision for the future. ACTS is expanding programs, extending our reach, and equipping more leaders than ever before, and none of it is possible without your support.

This is your invitation to be part of what comes next.

Register today at www.acts.edu/events before our registration deadline on Friday, October 30th.

10/21/2026

This month, we commemorated the departure of St. Gregory the Theologian, also known as St. Gregory of Nazianzus. He is one of the great defenders of the Orthodox faith and a profound teacher of Christology.

May the intercession and example of St. Gregory the Theologian inspire us to know Christ more deeply, faithfully confess the faith, and pursue a life of virtue.

Deepen your understanding of the Church Fathers, like St. Gregory the Theologian, with our Spring 2027 course: PATR 5030: Introduction to Patristics.

This course explores the lives, writings, doctrines, and thought of the early Church Fathers, tracing the living story of the early Church through its worship, preaching, spirituality, and pastoral and social teachings.

Learn more about pursuing a theological education, and our upcoming Spring 2027 courses, at www.acts.edu.

10/20/2026

Year of Dreams: A Community for All

Laity, clergy, servants, and scholars. ACTS is creating a community centered on one shared calling: Orthodox theological education for all.

Our Annual Gala exists to support that mission, and we’re inviting you to help bring the next chapter to life.

Whether you’ve studied with us before or believe in what we’re building, we invite you to join us on November 8. Register at www.acts.edu/events before our registration deadline on Friday, October 30th.

10/17/2026

Year of Dreams: Our Annual Gala

Pope Shenouda III envisioned a school that would raise up priests, theologians, and servants of the Church, formed in truth and sent out to serve. Today, that vision lives on as St. Athanasius & St. Cyril Coptic Orthodox Theological School, still growing, still forming the next generation.

Join us for our Annual Gala and help us to continue to provide quality Orthodox theological education for all.

ACTS Annual Gala
📅 November 8
📍 Costa Mesa, CA

Register today at acts.edu/events.

10/16/2026

Saints & Teachers: The Faithful Women ☦️

From St. Emilia and St. Macrina, who shaped generations through faith and education, to St. Verena, who taught through compassionate service, the faithful women of the early Church remind us that Christian education takes many forms. Through teaching, discipleship, and service, they helped pass on the faith to generations to come.

How can we continue this legacy of Orthodox education today? Apply for ACTS to pursue your theological education! Learn more about our Spring 2026 courses at acts.edu.

10/08/2026

Every dream has a beginning ✨ Pope Shenouda III had a dream: a theological school that would form priests, theologians, and servants of the Church.

In his first lecture to the LA Coptic Theological Seminary, he shared the heart behind that dream:

“Indeed, Christian education was the essential work of the Church through all generations.”

That dream later became St. Athanasius & St. Cyril Coptic Orthodox Theological School... and it’s still growing.

This November, we’re gathering to celebrate how far that dream has come, and to preview where we’re headed next.

Join us for our Annual Gala, and support our mission in providing a quality Orthodox theological education for all.

Register today at www.acts.edu/events before our registration deadline of Friday, October 30th.

10/05/2026

Happy World Teachers’ Day! 🍎📚

To our ACTS faculty: thank you for continuing the theological tradition of the early Church, equipping students to know the faith more deeply, engaging in the teachings of the Fathers, and faithfully serving the Church and her people.

May God bless our faculty, and all of the teachers in the Orthodox Church then and now, who dedicate their lives to educating Christ’s flock.

Address

Claremont, CA

Telephone

+16573902287

Website

http://acts.edu/

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