Coptic Bishop Youssef to visit Lee University

1/4/13

On April 3 and 4, Bishop Youssef will present public lectures at Lee University  on the Coptic Orthodox tradition.

The event is hosted by Lee’s School of  Religion and Cultural Diversity Committee.

Youssef will present “Thanksgiving Prayers” at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Lee’s Chapel, followed by an  explanation of the Coptic Liturgy.

On Thursday at 6 p.m., Youssef will  present a lecture titled “Living on the Edge of History: Coptic Christianity and  the Arab Spring” in the Jones Lecture Hall hosted by the Coffee, Cake and  Theology discussion forum.

Youssef was ordained as the first Bishop of  the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the southern United States in 1995. He has  overseen Coptic Orthodox churches in 11 states including Alabama, Arizonia,  Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma,  Tennessee and Texas.

Prior to entering the monastic order at St. Mary  Monastery, Youssef earned a doctor of medicine degree with a fellowship in  otolaryngology from Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt.

In 1982, while  practicing medicine, Youssef enrolled in the Theological Seminary in Egypt. Four  years later, Youssef joined the monastic order and was ordained to the  priesthood.

While serving in the Southern United States, Youssef earned a  doctorate of philosophy in marriage and family therapy and a master’s degree in  counseling, both from St. Mary University in San Antonio.

Youssef has  written seven books in English including “Encyclopedia of Christian Q & A,”  “Virgin Mary Icon of Simplicity,” “The Spiritual Meaning of Resurrection,” “The  Holy Spirit and the Pentecost,” “Meditations on the Cross,” “Fruit of the Holy  Spirit,” and “The Nativity of Christ – New Covenant.” Youssef also has written  13 books in Arabic.

Both events are free and open to the public.

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