The Coptic Orthodox Church in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, has celebrated the laying of the foundation stone of a new church consecrated in the name of Mar-Mina (St Mina).
On the afternoon of 11 December 2023, Metropolitan Anba Youssef of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Southern United States was joined by Bishop Gregory, Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese, and a number of Coptic priests and members of the Coptic congregation in a visit to the land purchased by the Church, on which the new church would be built.
A prayer of blessing was said for the land and the project. While laying the foundation stone of the church building, a box was placed in the foundation according to Egyptian tradition. The box included a Bible, a cross, a few US dollars (the currency or money used in the country during the time a church is built), and a copy of American newspapers issued on the day of laying the foundation stone; there was also a document citing all data concerning the new church, it was signed by Metropolitan Youssef and Bishop Gregory.
Watani International
18 December 2023