Bishop Youssef to Visit Lee
On April 3-4, His Grace 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.
Bishop 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., His Grace 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.
Bishop 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 Ala., Ariz., Ark., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., N.M., Okla., Tenn., and Texas.
Prior to entering the monastic order at St. Mary Monastery, H.G.B. Youssef earned a Doctor of Medicine degree with a Fellowship in Otolaryngology from Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt. In 1982, while practicing medicine, Bishop Youssef enrolled in the Theological Seminary in Egypt. Four years later, he joined the monastic order and was subsequently ordained to the priesthood.
While serving in the southern United States, Bishop 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.
Bishop 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 & the Pentecost,” “Meditations on the Cross,” “Fruit of the Holy Spirit,” and “The Nativity of Christ – New Covenant.” In addition to these works, His Grace has authored 13 books in Arabic and written numerous articles in both English and Arabic.
Both events are free and open to the public.
For more information please contact Dr. Caroline Maher-Boulis at (423) 614-8393 or email [email protected] or Dr. Daniela Augustine at (423) 614-5118 or email [email protected].
