How to Celebrate Christmas in Egypt

How to Celebrate Christmas in Egypt

Intro:

The oldest tradition of celebrating the Christian feast was the celebration of Theophania in the second century AD, and the only church that has preserved this tradition until today is the Armenian Orthodox Church. This tradition remained prevalent in Egypt until the year 432 AD, as the first reference to celebrating “Christmas” separately appears in the sermon of Paul of Homsi in Alexandria in the presence of Cyril of Alexandria, and since that time, celebrating Christmas in Egypt separately has been established on the 29th according to the Egyption calendar, and after the Gregorian amendment, now falls on January 7.

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The history of Christmas in Egypt

Peoples' celebrations of Christian Day take on different aspects that reflect their culture and civilization, east and west, from the Christmas tree, candles, and various rituals, and perhaps exotic ones.

Egyptian Christmas celebrations of Christmas shared a spiritual significance in terms of fasting preceding holidays or religious songs and hymns.

Preparing luxurious clothes and food, gathering loved ones, giving alms to the poor, and distributing gifts.

The Pharaonic cultural heritage almost rears its head in the aspects of Christmas celebration, starting with the Coptic astronomical calendar, according to which the holiday is celebrated on January 7, compared to the West, which celebrates it on December 25.

It refers to the origin of the Coptic Christmas tree and the nature of the foods that Egyptian Christians are keen to eat in connection with spiritual and religious beliefs, which continue until the Epiphany following Christmas.

The ancient fathers and historians disagreed about the year and day of the birth of Jesus Christ, and the likely period of his birth was determined to be between the third and eighth centuries BC.

They explained that the first to celebrate “Christmas” as an independent holiday was Rome, and for that reason it was set December 25 in the third century AD, from there, the celebrations moved to North Africa and Gaul (currently France and the Iberian Peninsula), then the East, where Constantinople celebrated it in the year 380 AD, followed by Asia Minor, and then Antioch in the year 386 AD, according to the sermon of John Chrysostom, and in Cyprus in the early The fifth century AD, and the last to celebrate Christmas independently, was Jerusalem in 549 AD.

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How to Celebrate Christmas in Egypt

Egyptian churches are preparing, on Christmas Eve in Egypt on the evening of January 6, to celebrate Christmas Masses, which coincide with the anniversary of the birth of Christ.

The religious celebrations of the Coptic Orthodox Church begin with the celebration of the holiday Mass, on the evening of January 6, which ends with the beginning of the new day, January 7.

Religious celebrations also include hymns, religious hymns, and special prayers for the occasion, as well as the exchange of gifts and family visits.

As for social celebrations of Christmas in Egypt they begin on the morning of the holiday, and include placing the Christmas tree, exchanging gifts, and eating Christmas dinner.

Christmas Eve begins for Copts by attending the holiday mass in the church, and then leaving the mass at midnight.

At the beginning of January 7, they are allowed to eat meat, poultry, and other foods that they abstained from during the period of fasting, which reached 43 days.

Christians abstain during This fasting abstain from eating meat except on Wednesdays and Sundays, during which they eat vegetarian foods and fish.

Perhaps the most famous churches in which Christians celebrate the Christmas in Egypt are the following:

1.The “Hanging Church”

  • It is one of the most famous and oldest Coptic monuments in Egypt, as it is distinguished by its rare architectural style that makes it one of the most beautiful churches in the Middle East.
  • It also represents the first residence of the patriarchs in Cairo.
  • The church is considered the first papal headquarters in Cairo, and many major Christian religious celebrations were held there.

2.Abu Sarja Church:

  • This church was established in the late fourth or early fifth century, and it is likely that it was built in the same place where the Holy Family resided when they fled to Egypt from Herod, King of the Jews.
  • It is no less important from a historical and artistic point of view than the Hanging Church.
  • It was the first church in Egypt after the Monastery of Abu Makar in which the patriarchs celebrated the Mass after their consecration in Alexandria.
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Classic Christmas foods for Christmas in Egypt

Every dish on the Christmas dinner table is the result of centuries of tradition and sophistication. Here are some classic Christmas foods and dishes.

Egyptian Christmas food usually consists of roasted lamb or chicken, along with a variety of vegetables.

One of the most common side dishes is rice pudding, which is made from milk, rice, sugar, and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg.

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Egyptian Christmas festivals

Spiritual celebrations begin with Christians entering a period of fasting that extends for 43 days before the feast day.

During this fast, Christians eat only vegetarian food until the seventh of January, which is the feast day, begins.

Christians are keen to visit the church in the month of December every Sunday to celebrate the four commemorations, as each Sunday represents a different celebration.

  • On the first Sunday, Christians remember the angel’s announcement to our Lord Zechariah.
  • On the second Sunday they remember the angel’s announcement to Mary.
  • On the third they remember the visit of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist.
  • On the fourth the anniversary of the birth of John the Baptist, and then concluding with the birth of Christ.
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Coptic Christmas traditions in Egypt

Participation in the Mass prayers is available to all members of the church, there are many prayers in churches, and charity fairs are held to distribute clothes and food to the needy.

Churches and homes are decorated with red and green Christmas decorations, as the red color symbolizes Jesus Christ, while the green color in the Christian faith symbolizes eternal life.

The decorated Christmas tree and the grotto, which is decorated with statues of the Virgin Mary, Joseph the carpenter, and the infant Christ, are among the most important features of the Christmas in Egypt celebrations.

Egyptian churches are keen to form groups to chant melodies and hymns that tell the story of the glorious Christmas, the most famous of which are: “The Savior is Born” and “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Hundreds of citizens gathered to exchange Eid congratulations, expressing their happiness at the festive atmosphere.

Sending congratulatory messages and celebrations on social networking sites between loved ones and friends.

The "orange jellyfish" or the "Epiphany's jellyfish" and eating some foods, such as: taro and cane, are among the most prominent aspects and customs of the Christian brothers' celebration of the glorious Epiphany on that religious occasion.

The diving lantern resembles a lighted lantern. It consists of a reed stick in which a palm leaf cross is placed. A candle is placed on each side of the cross, and a tangerine is placed on top of the cross.

Christian children go out to the streets and churches carrying the “Epiphany Lamp” on this day, expressing their joy at the glorious feast of the Epiphany.

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Shopping for Christmas in Egypt

The period of preparation for Christmas in Egypt is witnessing a significant increase in sales in almost all fields, as museums launch new products as holiday gifts, decorations and other supplies, which include decorations for streets and squares, barbecues and Christmas trees.

There are statistics indicating that a quarter of total spending during the Christmas shopping season in Egypt is witnessing a very significant increase, and the reason is due to the special offers offered by large stores, whether in retail or wholesale.

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Historical places you should visit in Christmas in Egypt

There are many historical places that you can visit if you’re attending to spend Christmas in Egypt such as:

  1. Hanging Church

The Hanging Church is located in the Old Cairo neighborhood, in the middle of a group of Coptic monuments, and its main facade opens onto St. George.

  1. Church of Saint Barbara

The Church of Saint Barbara is located within the walls of the Babylon Fortress.

It is located about one meter and forty-two centimeters below ground level. It can be reached by descending several steps on a stone ladder.

  1. Abu Sarja Church

This church was established in the late fourth or early fifth century, and it is likely that it was built in the same place where the Holy Family resided when they fled to Egypt from Herod, King of the Jews.

  1. Monastery for nuns

It is one of the religious sites that is important to Christians, and many of them and others frequent it to visit and seek blessings from the martyr, the owner of the monastery.

  1. Mary Jarhas Church

This church was one of the most beautiful churches of the Roman fort. According to some sources, it was built by the wealthy writer Athanasius around the year 684 AD, but unfortunately it was destroyed by fire eighty years ago and a new church was built in its place.

All that remains of the old church is a reception hall known as the “Bridal Hall,” dating back to the fourteenth century.

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