Newport Beach, California - St. Athanasius & St. Cyril Coptic Orthodox Theological School (ACTS) held its 7th annual commencement ceremony to honor the graduating class of 2023. The ceremony took place on May 6, 2023 at 12:30pm at its new campus in Newport Beach.

 H.E. Metropolitan Serapion presided over the official ceremony. The ceremony featured an address from His Grace Bishop Raphael, General Bishop of the Downtown Churches in Cairo, as well as the keynote address from Very Rev. Mark Morozowich, S.E.O.D., Dean and Associate Professor of Liturgical Studies/Sacramental Theology from The Catholic University of America. 

The graduating class of 2023 was recognized for their academic accomplishments and their embodiment of the school's core values of Coptic orthodox faith, excellence, and service. Friends and family of the graduating class were invited to attend the ceremony and celebrate this milestone with the graduates.

His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion, President at ACTS, delivered a special message to the graduates on this joyful day, saying: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Being a graduate with the degree you received today, is not the end. It is a step forward as we grow in the knowledge of God, we grow more and more in this eternal knowledge of God.”

"This year most especially, we at ACTS have several things to be grateful for to God," said His Grace Bishop Kyrillos, Dean of the School. "This ceremony allows us the opportunity to extend that gratitude to all of our graduates, faculty, board members, staff, and their families.”

For more information about the ACTS commencement ceremony or to schedule an interview with Dean of the School, please contact Hani Philobbos at hani.philobbos@acts.school

About ACTS:

St. Athanasius and St. Cyril Coptic Orthodox Theological School traces its origins to the world’s first Catechetical School. ACTS embraces the challenge of serving the Church and the needs of Orthodox Christians in the 21st Century. Time brings change but the Truth of the Gospel is eternally unchanging; adjustments must be made to engage a rapidly changing world, but without sacrificing that which is the same yesterday, today, and forever.