Feasts of the Saints
Our Church loves her saints in a way that surpasses description. We are a people deeply attached to the saints—not only out of doctrine, but also through experience, fellowship, and life.
We are named after them, as are our churches. Out of our love for them, we make vows in their names, celebrate their feasts, seek their intercessions, befriend them, paint their icons, keep their pictures in our homes, write their biographies, tell their stories to our children, and include them in our religious education curricula.
Before I assumed my current responsibility, popular celebrations (“Mawaled”) were held for them. Some advised that these be abolished. But we found that such popular gatherings could have many spiritual and pastoral benefits. And so it was. We changed their name to “Feasts of the Saints.” During these feasts, thousands—and sometimes tens or even hundreds of thousands—of saint lovers gather, as happens in the feast of Saint George at Al-Riziqat in Upper Egypt.
Some saints have become remarkably famous and beloved, such as the Virgin Mary, Saint George, Saint Mina, Archangel Michael, and Saint Bishoy.
Among the most important feasts of the Virgin Mary:
Her annual feast on the 16th of Misra (August 22), preceded by her fast, and other feasts in the Monastery of Al-Muharraq, in the Monastery of the Virgin on Mount Assiut (Drunka), in the Church of the Virgin at Zeitoun, and in her church at Mostorod. Spiritual vigils are held during the feasts of the Virgin Mary and during the feasts of other saints as well.
Among the most important feasts of Saint George:
His feast in his monastery at Al-Riziqat and his feast in Mit Damsis—both in the month of August. Many churches have been built in the name of this saint throughout the country, all celebrating his feast.
Among the saints of monasticism who have famous feasts attended by thousands of their devotees:
The feast of Saint Bishoy, the feast of Saint Moses the Black in their monastery at Wadi El-Natrun, the feast of Saint Shenouda in his monastery at the wilderness of Sohag, and the feast of Saint Anthony in the churches built in his name and in his monastery.
There are also saints who have local feasts—
such as the feast of Mother Rebecca in Sanabut, the feast of Mother Dolagy in Esna, the feast of the child martyr Saint Cyriacus and his mother Julitta in Tahta, and the feast of the child martyr Saint Abanoub in his church in Samannoud and in other churches built in his name.
Among the saints of the monasteries as well:
The feast of the martyr Saint Philopater Mercurius (Abu Sefein) in the convent of the nuns in Old Cairo, the feast of the martyr Saint Demiana and the forty virgins in her monastery at Barari Belqas, the feast of Prince Theodore in the convent of the nuns at Haret El-Roum, and the feast of Saint Paul the Anchorite in his monastery in the Eastern Desert.
There are also feasts celebrated for Archangel Michael—
both in the many churches built in his name and on the twelfth day of every Coptic month. The Copts became known for making the “Angel’s Pastry” (Feteer El-Malak) in memory of the miracles of Archangel Michael, which they distribute to their loved ones as a reminder of his intercession and work.
Article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – Al-Keraza Magazine – Year 26 – Issues 27, 28 (July 10, 1998).
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