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The Nativity (Christmas)
Egyptian Orthodox Christians (or Coptic Christians) celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on January 7th, a date equivalent to the 29th day of the Coptic month of "kiohk, or Khiahk". Of course, in many other countries Christmas is celebrated on December 25th, though celebrating Christmas on this date is not unique to the Coptics. For example, the Russian Orthodox Church also celebrates Christmas on January 7th. The difference in the dates comes from the difference between the Coptic and Gregorian calendars. However, because of the time the Holy Family spent in Egypt with the infant Jesus, Christmas is a very special celebration in Egypt.
All Coptic feasts come after a period of fasting. A Coptic fast means going completely without food for a part of the day, according to one's strength. It is called "lent fasting", and formally lasts from November 25th until January 6th (Advent), though the majority of people only fast for the last week. For the rest of the day, only food which has no animal products in it may be eaten. Therefore, meat, fish, eggs and milk are forbidden This is of course a time of great celebration, and holiday season special choirs present concerts of Christmas carols with a mixed program of international and Coptic music.
Like in the west, homes are decorated with lights and Christmas trees. Some Christmas trees are real, but many are artificial. One will even find Christmas trees in Coptic operated businesses.
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In Egypt, Copts have their own pope who is the head of the Coptic churches of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. Copts consider St. Mark to be their first Pope. He introduced Christianity to Egypt, and for hundred of years, Alexandria was the home of the Pope. Today his cathedral is in Cairo, where services are usually held in the ancient Coptic language.
Nowadays, the Coptic Nativity is celebrated by a special midnight service in the church, followed by the ringing of the church's bells. The largest service is held by the Coptic pope in Saint Mark's cathedral in Cairo. This service, usually conducted by the Pope at the 11:00 PM services, is even broadcast on Egyptian TV. After the service, families go home to break their fast and children receive new clothes and gifts. The meal is called fatta, and usually consists of meat and rice.
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Copts also make special sweet biscuits at Nativity that are decorated with a cross. In fact, it's the same "kahk" that Muslims make for Eid el fitr. Whether Egyptians are Muslims or Christians, their way in celebration is the same.
In the Egyptian Coptic church, a special bread called "Qurban" is given to people during the service in the church and it is also available outside the church after the service. It is made in very large quantities for the big festivals. Qurban bread is decorated with a cross in the middle, surrounded by twelve dots. Of course, those dots represent the twelve apostle of Jesus Christ.
On Christmas morning people visit friends and neighbors.
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The Nativity (Christmas) in Past
Nothing has changed since Islam came to Egypt in 642. Coptics had and continue to have the freedom to practice their religion, including feasts. Even the Fatimid caliphs (who had several Coptic & Jewish palace officials) often encouraged non-Muslim festivals. In fact, the Nativity became one of the main festivals celebrated by both Christians and Muslims. The caliph once distributed special trays of food to princes and officials, especially including dishes of "bouri" (mullet fish) and "Zalabya" (doughnuts).
During the Nativity, churches have always been decorated with special candles and lamps. Copts also gave candles and lamps as gifts to their families, neighbors and friends, as well as to the poor. It is believed that the candles are in memory of Joseph the Carpenter, who lit lamps to protect Mary (The Virgin) from the cold on the night of the Nativity. For many centuries the Nativity was celebrated by performances in the streets and by fire-shows. In the Mamlouk times, lamps decorated the streets and candles were everywhere.
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