Our Parish
It all began with the historic first visit of the thrice-blessed His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and ten bishops to Australia in 1989. During this visit, they inspected a piece of land in Hallam of approximately 46 acres in area. A project was proposed for the land consisting of a church, an elderly hostel and a Coptic “village”. His Holiness saw a shed in the midst of the land that was used for feeding cattle. He did the sign of the cross on it and said, “This manger will become a church by the grace of the Lord.” During His Holiness’s second visit to Melbourne in 1991, he announced that he would like to ordain some youth for priesthood to serve in Australia. Thus, he selected one person from Melbourne to be nominated for priesthood, and that was Fr. Abanoub, along with three others from Sydney. They all travelled to Egypt on the 13 February 1991. His Holiness received them in St. Bishoy Monastery in his private residence. The ordination took place on 28 March 1991 by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, accompanied by a multitude of bishops who blessed the ordination.
In 1992, His Holiness sent a message asking the community to establish a church in the area of the Coptic Village. At the time, there was no place where they could pray. So, a hall was rented on James Cook Drive in Endeavour Hills every Saturday night and Sunday till midday. They would set up the hall as a church: put up the chairs, the altar and the holy board. They continued to pray there for around six months. The purpose was to gather the community and for the people start feeling that there is a new church. They also selected the new church to be in the names of the great martyrs St. Mina and St. Marina. On Friday 9 April 1993, they prayed the final divine liturgy in the rented hall. Then, on Sunday 11 April 1993, they moved to the new location which was the temporary shed Pope Shenouda had blessed. They commenced praying in the new venue and to work on that.
His Holiness visited Melbourne again in 1993 and laid the foundation stone of the proposed church on Saffron Drive in Hallam; this took place in September 1993. During that time, the congregation was still growing. In addition to the people coming to church quite regularly, newcomers were joining the church all the time. In 1999, Fr. Isaac El Antony came to serve in Melbourne at St. Mina and St. Marina Church. He served there till 2004. Also, the church had the blessing of Fr. Daniel El Antony who served with them for a period of six months, followed by Fr. Moussa El Antony who joined for several months till March 2005.
Since the enthronement of His Grace Bishop Suriel in 1999, the church continued to flourish. They continued to pray in what they called the Arabic Church which was the small shed that His Holiness had blessed. The congregation had outgrown the space way before the year 2000. Thus, they started, during the feast of St. Mina on the 24 November 2000, digging for the foundation of the new church; a bigger church. They would construct the first stage which would be the lower level church and then build the upper level church in due time. On 6 January 2002, they completed the beautiful lower level church and His Grace Bishop Suriel prayed the divine liturgy for Christmas on the evening of 6 January 2002. At that stage, the lower level church was complete with all the icons as it is presently, in 2026. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III’s next visit was on 23 November 2002; the congregation was blessed by having His Holiness consecrate the church, the altar and all the beautiful icons that are here today that were written by the world-renowned iconographer Mr. Ashraf Fayek Gerges.
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, born on 4 November 1952, in Mansoura City, is a distinguished figure in the religious and academic community. He completed his education at the University of Alexandria, earning a degree from the Faculty of Pharmacy in 1975. Subsequently, he embarked on a professional career, holding a managerial position at a pharmaceutical factory in Damanhur. In 1985, H.H. augmented his academic credentials by obtaining a fellowship in world health from England, and in the same year, he was awarded a bachelor’s degree in Theology from the Theological College in Alexandria.
His spiritual journey deepened in 1986 when he joined St. Bishoy Monastery. He took his monastic vows in 1988, adopting the name Tawadros El-Anba Bishoy. His was ordained a priest in 1989, and subsequently dedicated his service in Damanhour from 1990 to 1997 under the guidance of His Eminence Metropolitan Bakhomious of Al-Beheira. On 15 June 1997, he was elevated to the rank of bishop, as General Bishop serving as an assistant to Metropolitan Bakhomious.
Apart from his ecclesiastical responsibilities, His Holiness is an accomplished author, having penned twelve books on Christian Theology. A significant milestone in his spiritual journey was reached on 4 November 2012, coinciding with his sixtieth birthday. On this day, by divine selection through the altar ballot, he was chosen as the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark. His formal enthronement occurred on 18 November 2012.
In September 2017, His Holiness embarked on a landmark inaugural visit to Australia, where he bestowed his blessings upon the diocese of Melbourne.
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II
His Grace Bishop Suriel
Background
Bishop Suriel was born Nabil Guirgis, in Port Said, Egypt, on 9 May, 1963, and migrated to Australia in 1967. In 1981 he entered the University of Sydney and completed a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Pure Mathematics, with a sub-major in Applied Mathematics and Statistics. In his final year in 1984 he also completed a Diploma of Education at Sydney Institute of Education. In January, 1985, he was appointed to teach Mathematics to Years 7-12 students and worked for around six years in two schools.
Monasticism & Priesthood
In 1991, Nabil Guirgis expressed to His Holiness Pope Shenouda III his deep desire to lead a monastic life. His Holiness accepted him to the Monastery of St. Bishoy, where he was part of His Holiness’ Secretariat. On 6 July 1991, His Holiness consecrated him as a monk, Fr. Suriel El-Anba Bishoy. In 1992 he and Fr. Angaelos El-Anba Bishoy (now Archbishop Angaelos) were responsible for establishing an English version of El-Keraza (Preaching) Magazine. On 8 June 1993, Fr. Suriel was ordained a priest by His Holiness. He also translated one other book by His Holiness, “Tears in Spiritual Life”.
Parish Priest in Honolulu
In January 1996, Fr. Suriel served the Coptic community in Honolulu, Hawaii. During this time, he studied Theology at Chaminade University for one and a half years receiving Grade As for all courses.
Consecration and Service in North America
On 15 June 1997, he was ordained by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III as a General Bishop and given the name Bishop Suriel. He participated with His Grace Bishop Moussa in the Annual Youth Conventions in North America and Europe. In October 1997, he was appointed by Pope Shenouda III to oversee the administration of the Coptic Archdiocese in Cedar Grove in New Jersey, to head monthly clergy meetings and to revive and work diligently in youth ministry on the East Coast and Mid-West of America. On the Feast of Resurrection, 1998, he launched the Archdiocesan website, now www.nacopts.org, and published the first monthly newsletter for youth named “Contemporary Copt”. He also laid important foundations for BLESS USA (the Bishopric of Public Ecumenical and Social Services) which assists the poor and needy Christians of Egypt (www.blessusa.org).
In September, 1998, he began studying towards a Masters degree in Christian Education at St. Vladimir’s Seminary. Diverting slightly from this, in 2001, as Bishop of Melbourne, His Grace completed his Masters degree in Religious Education at the Australian Catholic University, hence his booklet: “Christian Education in the Church of Alexandria in the First Five Centuries”. He is currently completing his Ph. D. degree in Religious Education at Fordham University, New York, researching Archdeacon Habib Jirjis. His Grace is also an Honorary Research Associate at the Centre for Early Christian Studies, the largest centre for the study of the early Christian world within Australia. He also gave two lectures at St. Vladimir’s annual Eastern/Oriental Orthodox Symposia, both well received.
During his time on the East Coast he participated in many ecumenical activities including the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches; SCOBA (Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops of America) and the standing conference between Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Churches. He participated in the first concelebrated liturgy of Oriental Orthodox Churches in 1998 and hosted the second concelebrated liturgy in October, 1999.
He also welcomed H. E. the President of Egypt Mr. Hosni Mubarak. In January, 1999 he established the first annual winter retreat for graduates and college students on the East Coast, where 250 youth attended. During this retreat he established the East Coast Coptic Orthodox Youth Association (ECCOYA), and held spiritual days on a regular basis for High School and College youth. These meetings were attended by youth from many parishes.
Diocesan Bishop
On 9 November, 1999, he published a book, “Christ: Our Life and Hope – Spiritual Talks for Youth, Parents and Leaders”. He then travelled to Cairo where he was appointed on Sunday 10 November 1999, as Bishop of Melbourne, Canberra, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and New Zealand. He then was enthroned in his Diocese in Melbourne on Saturday 4 December 1999 (later, the South Pacific including Fiji was added to the diocese). His new title, Bishop Suriel of Melbourne and Its Affiliated Regions, was announced on 14 November, 1999.
Participating in His Grace’s enthronement ceremony were Their Grace Bishop Sarabamoun, Bishop of St. Bishoy Monastery; Bishop Moussa, General Bishop; Bishop Picenti of Helwan & Affiliated Regions; Bishop Asheya of Tahta; Bishop Serapion of Los Angeles; and Bishop Sarabamoun of Atbara, Omdurman and East of Sudan.
Immediately upon enthronement, His Grace “went about doing good” (Acts 10.38) – paying pastoral visits to all parishes and colleges many times, visiting twenty parishioners at home every week, re-launching the diocesan website, updating the diocesan database, holding youth meetings, meeting with the then Victorian Coptic Orthodox Youth Association (VCOYA), re-structuring it in 2000 as Coptic Youth Association (CYA), then Coptic Orthodox Youth Association (COYA). He also established St Athanasius Press for multimedia productions, as well as Epsajee TV. A major highlight of His Grace’s service was paying off the cost of the diocesan headquarters at Donvale in 2007. His Grace also established St Paul’s Group of active youth whose role is to assist in organising major events. One of the main highlights of HG’s achievements is his great and holy zeal for missionary. Preaching in the South Pacific and Pakistan, HG with the assistance of dedicated clergy has baptised hundreds of local Fijians and other South Pacific islanders and Pakistanis.
His Grace Bishop Rewis entered monastic life on 7 March 2001 at the historic Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary (Muharraq Monastery) in Assiut, Egypt, where he was tonsured as Fr Zosima El Muharraqi. Following his monastic consecration, His Grace served with distinction in the United States, the Scandinavian countries and the Philippines, undertaking pastoral and missionary responsibilities that were marked by dedication, humility and spiritual wisdom.
On 7 March 2021, His Grace was ordained as General Bishop for East Asia by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II. Throughout his episcopal ministry, he has continued to deepen his knowledge and capacity for church leadership. In addition to his pastoral experience, His Grace has also pursued formal studies in Church Management, equipping him with the administrative and strategic skills necessary to guide and oversee the growing needs of a diverse and dynamic diocese.
In January 2025, His Grace made a pastoral visit to the Diocese of Melbourne, during which clergy and laity experienced his spiritual warmth, guidance and genuine pastoral care. The visit left a lasting impression on the hearts of many and affirmed his suitability to lead the diocese into a new chapter of unity and growth.
Shortly thereafter, Bishop Rewis was appointed as General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Melbourne by Papal Decree No. 2 of 2025, issued and signed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II. This appointment, effective 1 July 2025, marked a moment of great joy and blessing for the diocese.
His Grace’s appointment reflects the ongoing pastoral care and attentiveness of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, who continues to support the diocese with wisdom, love and vision. This decision affirms the commitment of the Church to nurturing faithful leadership for the spiritual wellbeing of her children.
As General Bishop of the Diocese of Melbourne, His Grace Bishop Rewis has been entrusted with the full pastoral, administrative and financial authority of the diocese, as delegated by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II. In this role, His Grace is responsible for overseeing the spiritual life of the clergy and congregation, guiding the operational and organisational structure of the diocese, and ensuring sound stewardship of its financial and material resources.
Bishop Rewis General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Melbourne
Journey Through The Years
His Holiness sends a message instructing the establishment of a Church in the Coptic Village area.
A hall is rented on James Cook Drive, Endeavour Hills, used as a church every weekend for ~6 months.
The congregation chooses the name St. Mina and St. Marina.
- The lower level church is completed.
His Grace Bishop Suriel celebrates the first Christmas Liturgy there.
The Church is adorned with Coptic icons by Ashraf Fayek.
St. Mina and St. Marina Church continues to flourish as a spiritual home for generations, rooted in the blessing and vision of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III.
