H.G. Bishop Saraphim

On November 11th, 2017 His Holiness Pope Tawadros II ordained His Grace Bishop Saraphim as the bishop of the new Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.

He was born Aziz Ghali Sabri Aziz in February of 1959 in Cairo. He earned a Bachelor of Science and continued his graduate studies in medical research. After completing his studies, Aziz worked as a medical researcher with the Navy Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) in Cairo.

In the church, Aziz was involved in serving youth of all ages: at St. Anthony church in Shoubra, Cairo, he served college students, then became a coordinator of graduate student service. Aziz later served for four years at the Youth Bishopric with His Grace Bishop Moussa, where he conducted studies to prepare leaders and Bible Study groups.

In August 22, 1991, His Grace Bishop Saraphim accepted the Lord’s calling and joined the Monastery of St. Mary in Wadi El Natrun, also known as The Syrian Monastery, or Deir el-Sourian. His Grace was ordained as a monk on April 6, 1993 by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III (of blessed memory) and, later, a priest on February 25, 1997.

His Grace Bishop Saraphim has served people of diverse cultures around the world in a variety of roles: From July 1997 to July 1998, His Grace served with His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion, Bishop of The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii. Serving alongside Their Graces Bishop Suriel and Bishop David, His Grace Bishop Saraphim held the position of Secretary to His Holiness Pope Shenouda III (of blessed memory) in the United States from July 1998 to March 2000. From March 2000 to May 2008, His Grace Bishop Saraphim served with His Grace Bishop Misail in England and Wales, followed by a period of service with His Grace Bishop Anthony in England, Scotland, and Ireland from May 2008 to February 2012. After the departure of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III of Blessed Memory, His Grace Bishop Saraphim was among the nominees for the papacy in 2012. His Grace was later assigned by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II as the Secretary for the United States Immigrant Affairs from November 2012 to October 2013.

In October 2013, His Grace Bishop Saraphim became the Deputy of HH Pope Tawadros II for North America. His Grace served in this role until July 2014. Afterwards, His Grace served once again with His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion from July 2014 until July 2016. Most recently, His Grace was assigned to serve in the newly projected Diocese of Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana from July 2016 until November 2017, when he was finally ordained the Bishop of the Diocese.