On the celebrations of Eid El-Fitr, I’d like to congratulate my Muslim Brethren in Egypt, the Arab Gulf and the whole world praying to God to grant happiness to all Egyptians and to fill our country with peace, good and prosperity. No wonder that feasts are always full of love, cordiality and amicability that causes comfort and happiness to one. Amid one’s happiness, he tries to make others happy as feasts are days when we try to spread joy in our life and this of others.
Feasts are connected with “new things”, that are different from what one used to; for example, new clothes, new foodm, or to be accurate, unusual food that is different from what we eat the whole year, like feast’ sweets and all delicacies as the feast is coming with a message that says, “Stop a little, seek new things in life, maybe a new hope, a different dream or any change in your soul” It may even be a beginning to a step you wished to take since long or a goal you sought to achieve; hence the feast becomes the launching point toward adding a new meaning to your life.
One of the great new things you can do in feasts is to make positive change in your character, as a feast comes after a period of time spent in fasting and being close to God and in which we practice renunciation and offering good deeds. Therefore, man learns many values like, patience, tolerance, mercy and forgiveness and in return he learns to give up on some of the bad traits like impulsiveness, quick anger and cruelty; so that when a feast comes, one will be enhancing the humane aspects God granted us. Thus, one feels true happiness in feasts; that exceeds the outer facet of happiness to reach the depth of our souls and we then discover the true meaning of life with all its good principles and values.
Feasts in Egypt carry a special character that was shown through her extended history; hence it becomes like one big family celebrating. It will be so hard to differentiate between those who celebrate and those who share their congratulations as smile draws upon all people especially children who add a special flavor to the feasts in Egypt. People become hand in hand feeling great joy and happiness as all people are gathered in one country united by love that does not shake before difficulties, troubles and obstacles. As in the times of sadness and pain, people extent their helping hands, they also offer their hearty congratulations to those who feel happy and joy.
Many happy returns
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
