Our Parish 

est. 1994

In response to the growing needs of the Coptic community in New York City, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III blessed the establishment of a second church in Queens. The first liturgy of St. George Coptic Orthodox Church was held on October 24, 1994, in a rented church space in Astoria, NY. During the church’s first year, several reverend fathers were blessed to serve the liturgies, including the late Fr. Shenouda Halim, Hegumen Tadros Malaty, Hegumen Yacoub Ghaly, and Fr. Mikhail Tobia.

A man dressed as Jesus holding a baby in a church with religious imagery in the background.

Less than a year later, God sent the late Fr. Rewais Magar to shepherd the congregation. He arrived on September 10, 1995, bringing hope and assuring the congregation that they would soon worship in a church building of their own. Though many were doubtful, his faith remained unshaken. In early 1996, the congregation moved to a new location in Astoria, where they held services in the basement of another church.

A man dressed in religious ceremonial attire with arms outstretched, standing in a church or religious gathering with a crowd in the background.

Fr. Rewais, together with the church board, began the search for a permanent home. For over a year, each attempt to purchase a property fell short as other buyers offered more. Yet, Fr. Rewais faithfully reminded his congregation, “St. George has not yet chosen his church.”In the summer of 1997, they found a building they believed was the right one. During a trip to Egypt, Fr. Rewais shared this with His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, requesting his prayers. Soon after, to his surprise, a note about the church’s efforts to purchase the building appeared in Al-Keraza magazine.

Illustration of a medieval knight in armor riding a white horse, holding a lance with a red and gold banner, with a background of blue sky and clouds.

Back in the U.S., negotiations resumed with the building’s owner, also named George. Fr. Rewais often told him that the name “George” would remain on the building, whether he sold it or not. At a crucial point in the negotiation, a $100,000 difference nearly ended the deal. But God intervened: the owner’s wife pledged to donate the difference from her share, allowing the purchase to proceed, as she told Fr. Rewais St. George the Great Martyr, who himself appeared to her in a dream, saying that this building will be his!

As the closing date approached, the church discovered it lacked the full amount for the down payment. Fr. Rewais turned to his congregation for prayers. Miraculously, the owner requested a delay in closing. When the new date neared, the church was still $30,000 short. A former congregant—unaware of the shortage—called to inform Fr. Rewais that he just deposited $30,000 in the church account. The down payment was completed, and the purchase finalized.

A religious ceremony with priests at an altar, one raised and the other kneeling, in a richly decorated room.

The first liturgy in the new church building was held on Sunday, November 16, 1997, nearly two years after Fr. Rewais arrived. The church youth worked tirelessly to prepare the building. That same day, the Synaxarium commemorated the martyrdom of St. George of Alexandria and the consecration of the Church of St. George of Cappadocia—a divine affirmation of the journey.

Over the years, the church flourished. In August 1999, the church received a portion of the relics of St. George, becoming the first Coptic church on the East Coast to do so. In 2006, the relics of St. Theodore El-Shotbe, St. Theodore El-Mishreke, St. Abaskhairoun, and martyrs from Akhmim and Ansana were also received.

Religious altar with embroidered cloth, candles, and prayer books in an ornate church setting.

Between 2006 and 2007, major renovations were completed at St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, including the installation of a new iconostasis, hand-painted icons, wooden benches, altars, and a baptismal font. On August 19, 2007, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III visited the church to consecrate the altars of St. George and St. Rewais, the iconostasis, icons, liturgical vessels, and baptismal font—a milestone moment in the life of the parish.

Thereon, the liturgy was initiated by His Grace Bishop Boutros, General Bishop, and was celebrated with the participation of many guest priests from across the Northeast and monks from St. Antony’s Monastery in California. This historic occasion marked a spiritual renewal and the culmination of years of dedication by the church community.

August 19, 2007 Church Consecration Recording

In 2008, Fr. Rewais fell ill and peacefully departed on September 8, 2008. He was succeeded by Hegumen Benjamin, who led the church faithfully for 12 years until he was called in 2020 to serve as Dean of the Diocesan Institute of St. Habib Girgis and Hegumen at Archangel Michael & St. Mena Church in Staten Island, New York.

A man with a beard wearing a black turban and black clothing against a gray background.
A person wearing a graduation cap and gown, smiling at the camera.

During Hegumen Benjamin’s tenure, in 2013, Fr. Antonios Habib was ordained for St. George Church and served for 7 years before being called in 2020 to serve in New Jersey under HG Bishop Gabriel. In October 2017, former Head Servant Mr. Karam Awad was ordained as Deacon Athanasius Awad by HG Bishop David.

A religious ceremony in a church with priests in ornate robes. A man is kneeling with his head bowed, receiving a blessing or anointment from a priest holding a small container. Several people are observing and taking photos in the background.
Portrait of a man with a beard wearing a black hat and black clothing against a gray background.

By May 2020, the church's service continued to grow under the new leadership of Hegumen Fr. Sorial Henery, assigned by HG Bishop David, to serve in our parish. In June 2020, Fr. Sorial requested a consecrated deacon to serve alongside him. Mr. Paul Bessada was ordained Deacon Paul Bessada and joined the service with Deacon Athanasius.

Religious ceremony with clergy and a parishioner in white robes participating in a sacrament.
A bearded man dressed in black religious attire holds a decorative cross and wears a matching large cross necklace, standing against a brown background.

In September 2020, the church with joy received the relics of St. Mina the Wonderworker. On December 12, 2021, a new altar was built in the names of St. Demiana and the 21 Martyrs of Libya.

A glass display case on top of an ornate, carved wooden altar draped with a black and gold embroidered cloth, with a window in the background.
Illustration of a saintly figure with extended arms, wearing a yellow tunic, red cloak, and green pants, with a halo around their head.

On July 30, 2022, HG Bishop David ordained Deacon Paul Bessada after serving as general deacon in our parish for over 2 years, as Fr. Yostos Bessada, general priest in the Diocese of New York & New England, bringing immense joy to the community as he joined Fr. Sorial in serving the church.

Three men dressed in ornate religious robes, one reading from a book, during a religious ceremony or ritual.
Orthodox Christian religious ceremony with clergy and congregation dressed in ornate robes, inside church with icons on the walls.
Three Orthodox priests, dressed in ceremonial robes, are engaged in a prayer or ritual inside a church. They are holding hands and have microphones near them. In the background, several people are seated, and religious icons hang on the walls.

A historic and memorable event took place on July 15, 2023, when Mayor Eric Adams visited St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Astoria, New York, following the Divine Liturgy.

During his visit, Mayor Adams offered heartfelt condolences for the tragic passing of Mr. Reda Girgis, the father of a devoted church member. His compassionate words were deeply appreciated by the congregation, reflecting his empathy and respect for the Coptic Orthodox community.

In addition to expressing his sympathies, the mayor voiced his strong support for the Coptic Church and the broader Christian faith, recognizing the vital contributions of the Coptic community to the city’s cultural and spiritual life. His visit served as a powerful gesture of solidarity, honoring the role of faith communities in New York and reinforcing the city’s commitment to religious freedom and unity.

Two men shaking hands indoors with a window behind them and cars outside. One man is elderly with a long gray beard and dressed in black with a medallion around his neck. The other man is middle-aged with a bald head wearing a dark striped suit.
Group of people gathered inside a church, with religious icons and wooden carvings in the background, some holding children and a man in a striped suit holding a religious icon.

On Sunday, July 17, 2023, several joyous events took place. HG Bishop David ordained Mr. Magdy Iskander as Deacon Mikhail Iskander and elevated Deacon Athanasius to the rank of Archdeacon—one of only two archdeacons in the Diocese of New York and New England. That same day, the church community unanimously voted to confirm Fr. Sorial Henery and Fr. Yostos Bessada as their permanent priests.

A religious ceremony with clergy in ornate white and gold robes, some holding in a church with icons on the wall, and people in the background.
Eastern Orthodox clergy in ornate robes and mitres performing a religious ceremony involving anointing a man.
Three Orthodox priests dressed in elaborate ecclesiastical vestments participate in a religious ceremony inside a church with ornate wooden and religious iconography decor. One priest, holding a microphone, appears to be presenting a religious item to another, who is bowing with a scriptural text.

On Saturday, Dec 16, 2023, HG Bishop David ordained Mr. Abram Soliman, one of the sons and servants of the church, as a general deacon for the diocese and then ordained him a general priest for the service of the diocese on March 16, 2024.

Men dressed in ornate white and gold religious garments during a ceremonial event, surrounded by onlookers. One man holds a handheld microphone.