On June 5, Saint Mary & Saint Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church moved to its new home, a church facility at 211 Route 206, north of Valley Road, in Hillsborough that was formerly the Christian Community Chapel, which is relocating to South Branch Road.
Saint Mary & Saint Athanasius was established in 2006 in order to serve Somerset and Hunterdon counties, and is served by both Father Antonious Tanious and Father John Rizkalla. About 100 families are members.
It has been renting a hall that is part of the St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church on Brooks Boulevard in Manville, according to Andrew Daoud, a member of the Board of Deacons.
Mr. Daoud said the church was preparing to build on land in the township when the opportunity to buy the Route 206 facility arose.
The church follows the Coptic orthodox tradition, which was established by Saint Mark, the gospel writer, when he brought the Christian faith to Alexandria, Egypt, and established the church there around the middle of the first century. Saint Mark was also the first bishop (not called “popes“ at the time) over the Church of Alexandria. The ancient Church of Alexandria is one of the five centers of ancient Christianity, along with Jerusalem, Antioch, Constantinople and Rome.
On Saturday, Aug. 1, Saint Mary & Saint Athanasius Church will hold a religious and ceremonial inaugural celebration. Celebrations will be led by His Grace Bishop Karas, patriarchal exarch at the Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, on behalf of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the 118th Pope of Alexandria and patriarch of the Holy See of Saint Mark.
Several New Jersey community leaders and dignitaries will attend, and the church invites the surrounding communities to join the congregation in prayer and celebration.
