The embracing of feasts gladdens our hearts and unifies our steps to progress. Before not so many days, Copts of Egypt celebrated the new Coptic year. Currently, Muslims are celebrating al-Adha feast which coincides with the 41st anniversary of October Victory. Egyptian people have always been dignified and they never have surrendered. Fear of death is not in their glossary. Their rejection to any attempt for enslaving them or forcing them to adopt a conviction they do not believe in is steeped in history. Before the dawn of the world, Egyptians have refused any attempt to suppress them revolting over who wanted to estrange them from their home country or end their existence; as no one can ever shake their faith or strict of freedom even though it costs them their life.
A New Coptic Year
A new Coptic year reminds us of solidity and endurance of the Coptic Egyptians before the tortures of Diocletian, the heathen king. The tortures ranged from ethical persecution like, for instance, insults, degradation, dismissal, confiscation of possessions, stripping out of citizenship rights, looting houses and luggage along with losing the right of litigation. Not to mention the physical torture, namely, imprisonment, whipping, burning, drowning and crucifixion along with many other means of torturing. However, they disdained all that even the death itself.
Al-Adha Feast
Today, Muslims all over the world celebrate al-Adha feast that starts on the tenth of the twelfth month of the Hijri calendar, Dhul-Hijjah month, on the day of ARRAFAH. It ends on the thirteenth day of the same month.
On that feast, people are reminded of the hard test that Abraham faced when God asked him to sacrifice his son and thus he hastened to do that. However, God stopped him and gave him His blessings, a ram to sacrifice instead of his son. As it is mentioned at Surah Saaffat, verse no.17, “And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice”.
On feasts, people’s hearts become united and they express their congratulations to one another depicting the bonds of love that they share on all occasions. On these days, There is a chance for each one of us to do acts of love and mercy to others.
Commemoration of October Victory
On the commemoration day of October victory, the Egyptians feel proud of their country. They recalled the great victory and heroic stories over history when they destroyed the phenomena of the invincible line and the canal that would turn to a tomb to those who think of crossing it. Egyptians endured patiently all the lies that were made up and letting whole world recognize their ability to do the impossible.
Congratulation on al-Adha; let me offer a very special thank you to those who participated in October wars and brought us victory. We beseech God to keep Egypt safe.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
