Feasts

Palm Sunday (Hosanna Sunday) commemorates the triumphal entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, when the crowds laid palm branches before Him and cried out 'Hosanna in the highest.'

Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper at which our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist and washed the feet of His disciples.

The Feast of the Resurrection (Pascha) is the greatest feast of the Coptic Orthodox Church. It celebrates the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion.

The Second Day of the Feast of the Resurrection continues the paschal celebration. The Church extends the feast beyond the day of Resurrection itself, prolonging the joy of Christ's victory over death.

Thomas Sunday commemorates the appearance of the risen Lord to the Apostle Thomas eight days after the Resurrection, when Thomas confessed 'My Lord and my God.' It affirms the reality of the bodily Resurrection and the blessedness of faith.

The Feast of the Ascension commemorates the bodily ascent of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven from the Mount of Olives, forty days after the Resurrection. It marks the completion of His earthly ministry and His return to the glory of the Father.

Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles fifty days after the Resurrection, empowering them to preach the Gospel to all nations. It is celebrated as the birthday of the Church.

The Feast of the Annunciation commemorates the announcement by the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she would conceive and bear the Son of God.

The Feast of the Nativity commemorates the birth of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, in the city of Bethlehem of Judea. This is one of the seven Major Feasts of the Lord in the Coptic Orthodox Church.

The Second Day of the Feast of the Nativity (30 Koiak) continues the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh. The Nativity observance extends over multiple days, reflecting the magnitude of the Incarnation.

The Feast of the Epiphany (Theophany) commemorates the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ in the River Jordan by Saint John the Baptist. At His Baptism the Holy Trinity was manifested: the Father's voice from heaven, the Son in the waters, and the Holy Spirit descending as a dove.

The Second Day of the Feast of the Epiphany (12 Tobi) continues the celebration of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ and the manifestation of the Holy Trinity at the Jordan.

The Transfiguration of Christ commemorates the revelation of our Lord's divine glory to the Apostles Peter, James, and John on Mount Tabor. His face shone like the sun and His garments became white as light, and Moses and Elijah appeared speaking with Him.

The Circumcision of our Lord commemorates the circumcision of the infant Jesus on the eighth day after His birth, in obedience to the Law of Moses. It witnesses that the Son of God took on true human flesh for our salvation.

The Entrance of our Lord into the Temple commemorates the presentation of the child Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem by the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. The righteous Simeon received Him and prophesied that He would be a light for revelation to the Gentiles.

The Entrance of the Lord Christ into Egypt commemorates the flight of the Holy Family — our Lord Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph — into Egypt to escape the persecution of King Herod.

The First Miracle at Cana commemorates the first sign performed by our Lord Jesus Christ at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, where He transformed water into wine at the intercession of His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Assumption of the Body of the Holy Virgin commemorates the taking up of the body of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven. The Coptic Church teaches that after her dormition, her body was assumed into heavenly glory.

The Nativity of the Holy Virgin Mary commemorates the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, chosen by God from before the ages to be the Mother of the Incarnate Word.

The Presentation of the Virgin Mary at the Temple commemorates the dedication of the young Virgin Mary to the service of God at the Temple in Jerusalem, where she was raised in holiness until the time of the Annunciation.

The Departure of the Holy Virgin (21 Tobi) commemorates the dormition of the Blessed Theotokos — the day of her peaceful departure from this world. This feast is distinct from the Assumption of her body, celebrated on 16 Mesori.

This feast (21 Paoni) commemorates the consecration of the first church built in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the city of Philippi in Macedonia.

This feast (7 Mesori) commemorates the angelic announcement to Saints Joachim and Anna that they would be blessed with a daughter — the Blessed Virgin Mary, the future Mother of God.

Jonah's Passover marks the conclusion of the three-day Fast of Nineveh, commemorating the repentance of the people of Nineveh at the preaching of the Prophet Jonah. It falls sixty-six days before Pascha.

The Saturday before the Great Fast is the final Saturday before the beginning of Great Lent, marking the end of the preparatory period before the Lenten season of fasting and repentance.

The Sunday before the Great Fast is the last day before the beginning of Great Lent. The faithful prepare for the Lenten journey with readings that call to repentance and spiritual watchfulness.

Lazarus Saturday commemorates the raising of Lazarus from the dead by our Lord Jesus Christ in Bethany, a sign and foreshadowing of the general Resurrection.

Good Friday is the most solemn day of the Church year, commemorating the Crucifixion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross for the salvation of the world.

Bright Saturday is the day between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection, when our Lord descended into Hades and freed the souls of the righteous who had been awaiting His coming.

The Feast of the Cross commemorates the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the manifestation of the True Cross in Jerusalem. This feast is marked by the lighting of torches, recalling how the news of the Cross's discovery was spread from hilltop to hilltop.

The second day of the three-day Feast of the Cross (18 Thout) continues the celebration of the finding and exaltation of the True Cross that began on 17 Thout.

The third and final day of the Feast of the Cross (19 Thout) completes the three-day celebration of the finding and exaltation of the True Cross.

The Feast of the Discovery of the Cross commemorates the finding of the True Cross by Empress Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, during her pilgrimage to Jerusalem. She identified the life-giving wood through a miraculous sign.

Nayrouz marks the beginning of the Coptic New Year and is celebrated as the Feast of the Martyrs. It honors the countless Coptic saints and martyrs, particularly those who suffered under Emperor Diocletian, from whose reign the Coptic calendar (Anno Martyrum) is reckoned.

This feast honors the Archangel Michael, the chief of the heavenly hosts and the guardian of the faithful. The Coptic Church commemorates the Archangel Michael on the twelfth day of each Coptic month, with the feasts of Hathor and Paoni being the principal celebrations.

This feast honors the Archangel Michael, the chief of the heavenly hosts. The Paoni commemoration is one of the two principal feasts of the Archangel in the Coptic Church, celebrating his continued intercession and guardianship over the Church.

This feast honors the Archangel Gabriel, the messenger of God who announced the Incarnation to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Coptic Church venerates him as the bearer of divine tidings and the angel who stands in the presence of God.

This feast commemorates the departure of Saint Mark the Apostle, the founder of Christianity in Egypt and the first Pope of the See of Alexandria. His preaching established the Coptic Church, and his relics are enshrined in the Cathedral of Saint Mark in Cairo.

This feast commemorates the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, pillars of the early Church. Saint Peter, the chief of the Apostles, and Saint Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, both gave their lives as martyrs in Rome for the sake of the Gospel.