About
St Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church Norwich
St Athanasius Church
Welcome to St Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church serving under the guidance and care of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St Mark and the leadership of his Grace Bishop Anthony, Diocese of Ireland, Scotland, North East England and its Affiliated Regions.
St Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church stands as a beacon of Coptic Orthodoxy, nurturing its congregants through dedicated worship services and bible study. Our mission reflects a commitment to the teachings of Christ and the Coptic faith, fostering spiritual growth and connection.
We aim to promote biblical faith, based on the early teachings of the Church, which shapes both the Coptic Orthodox Church and the society in which we live, for the sake of Christ.
A lighthouse for Christ in East Anglia since 2000
The Founding Story of St. Pope Athanasius Church in Norwich, United Kingdom
The Church of St. Pope Athanasius in Norwich, serving the East Anglia region, is one of the early churches established by His Grace Bishop Anthony after his consecration as bishop. The church was granted papal approval to be part of the Diocese of Ireland, Scotland, and North East England, following a papal decree in June 2000.
Norwich, located approximately 115 miles northeast of London, is a prominent city in the East Anglia region, known for its large university, medical hospital, and historical Anglican and Catholic cathedrals.
The service in the East Anglia region began at the request of a member who moved from Ireland to Norfolk. Bishop Anthony visited the area and gathered a small number of families, starting with just six scattered families. The first Divine Liturgy was held on June 13, 1996, and the frequency of services gradually increased.
In Easter 1998, Bishop Anthony sent Father Arsanios Ava Pishoy to pray the Easter mass with the congregation, later appointing him in April 1998 to serve the community via bi-monthly mass for the following 6 months.
Over the years, various priests served the church, including Father Archilaos (October 1998 - July 1999), until Father Karas Ava Pishoy was appointed from July 1999 to December 2005, to be the first full-time, resident priest of the church. Father Makar served for a short period between 2005 - 2007, until Father Shishoy El Antony became the full-time priest in 2007.
In 2007, under divine guidance, the church purchased a property in a suburb of Norwich to establish a permanent church building. The property, a five-acre site with two buildings—one a sports club and the other a residence—was purchased in November 2007.
After approval from local authorities, renovations began to convert the sports club building into a church. The first Divine Liturgy in the newly converted church was celebrated by Bishop Anthony on November 8, 2008.
The church continued to grow, hosting various spiritual and social activities, including youth conferences and Sunday school camps. By 2015, the increasing number of families and activities led to plans for a new, larger church. With God’s guidance and support from local figures like Bishop Graham James and MP Richard Bacon, the church's building project gained approval. Despite challenges with construction delays, the work is progressing, with the aim of creating a space that serves both the spiritual and social needs of the community.
Expansion of the Church’s Ministry:
New Church in Ipswich
As the church continued to grow, it became necessary to expand its outreach. Ipswich, about 60 miles from Norwich, was home to several families from St. Pope Athanasius Church, who had been commuting weekly for services. Bishop Anthony, recognizing their pastoral and social needs, decided to establish a new church in Ipswich, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and St. Shishoy the Great. After many discussions and negotiations, the church began holding monthly services at a church building provided by the Anglican Church starting October 6, 2017. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in the church’s mission, with the hope of increasing services to twice a month. The new church’s growth is ongoing, with plans for further development and outreach to serve the local Coptic community and beyond.
Construction of the new Church
[2021 - 2025]:
With God's grace, a new church was built, and the work was completed in 2025. The church was reconstructed according to the traditional Coptic style, with its Coptic tower and Coptic cross mounted on top of it, as well as Coptic domes, arches, and icons.
Opening Ceremony
His Eminence Bishop Ava Antony, Bishop of Ireland, Scotland and North-East England prayed on Saturday the 11th of October 2025 the Holy Mass at the opening ceremony of the Church of St Athanasius The Apostle in Norwich, East England.
He was joined in the Mass by His Eminence Anba Damian, Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Germany, President of the Monastery of Our Lady and St. Maurice; Anba Elia Bishop of Khartoum, and Anba Abakir, Bishop of Scandinavian Countries, as well as a number of priests.
His Eminence, Bishop Antony's welcome speech
11 October 2025
First Service Broadcast from the new church
11 October 2025
2018 - Laying the foundation stone of the new church
25th March 2018
Our Priest
Rev. Father Shishoy El-Antony
Father Shishoy has been a lightening candle for our church since he started his service in 2007 and continue to lead the church, serving under the guidance and care of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St Mark and the leadership of his Grace Bishop Anthony, Diocese of Ireland, Scotland, North East England and its Afffiliated Regions.
Get Involved
Whether you are seeking spiritual guidance or a place to belong, St Athanasius Church welcomes you with open arms. Join our services, participate in outreach, and be part of our journey.