Egyptians divided the year into 12 months, according in their knowledge of the stars. They later discovered the solar year. Each of the 12 months was 30 days long; they added five days at the end and called it 'a small month'. Their year was 365 days long. The final stage of rectifying the calendar, in 238 BC was to add a sixth day to the small month every four years. The beginning of their year was on the first day of the month of Thout, which is the first month of the Coptic year. The Egyptians named their months after their gods, and chose their names according to the season of the climatic changes for agriculture. They divided the year into 3 main seasons:

• The season of the flood of the Nile (Thout to Koiahk).
• The season of vegetation (Tobi to Paremoude).
• The season of reaping and harvesting (Pachons to Mesori)

The small month was a chance for feasts and festivals.

Source: Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States

• Named after the god Tegot, Tut or Tuhout, who is the god of wisdom, science, art inventions and divine mysteries for the Egyptians.
• Gregorian Calendar equivalent: September 11 to October 10.

NOTE: The above Gregorian Calendar equivalents may change slightly in a leap year. Feasts during the month of Tute:


• Tute 1 - The Coptic New Year - Nayrouz.

• Named after Yee-pee or Ha-pee, the god of the Nile or of Thebes, who is also the god of vegetation, because in this month the face of the earth becomes green with vegetation.
• Gregorian Calendar equivalent: October 11 to November 9.

NOTE: The above Gregorian Calendar equivalents may change slightly in a leap year.

• Named after Hator or Hatho, the goddess of love and beauty, because during this month the lands become lush and green.
• Gregorian Calendar equivalent: November 10 to December 9.

NOTE: The above Gregorian Calendar equivalents may change slightly in a leap year.

• Named after Ka-Ha-Ka, the god of good, who is the sacred bull Apis.
• Gregorian Calendar equivalent: December 10 to January 8.

NOTE: The above Gregorian Calendar equivalents may change slightly in a leap year Feasts during the month of Koiahk:

• Koiahk 29 - The Nativity Feast

• Named after the god Amso or Khem, who is a form of the God Amoun-ru, the god of Thebes in Upper Egypt; he is the god of the growth of nature because much rain falls during this month.
• Gregorian Calendar equivalent: January 9 to February 7.

NOTE: The above Gregorian Calendar equivalents may change slightly in a leap year. Feasts during the month of Tubah:

• Tubah 06 - Circumcision of our Lord
• Tubah 11 - The Epiphany
• Tubah 13 - Wedding of Cana

• Particular to the genius of wind, because the storms and wind occur much during this month. It is the month in which the summer heat begins.
• Gregorian Calendar equivalent: February 8 to March 9.

NOTE: The above Gregorian Calendar equivalents may change slightly in a leap year. Feasts during the month of Amshir:

• Amshir 8 - Entrance into the Temple.

• Named after Renno, the god of severe wind or death. During this month the season of vegetation ends and the earth becomes dry.
• Gregorian Calendar equivalent: April 9 to May 8.

NOTE: The above Gregorian Calendar equivalents may change slightly in a leap year. Feasts during the month of Baramhat:

• Baramhat 29 - Annunciation.

• Named after Renno, the god of severe wind or death. During this month the season of vegetation ends and the earth becomes dry.
• Gregorian Calendar equivalent: April 9 to May 8.

NOTE: The above Gregorian Calendar equivalents may change slightly in a leap year

• Named after Khonso, the god of the moon, on of the Thebic trinity and the son of Amoun-Ru and Mout.
• Gregorian Calendar equivalent: May 9 to June 7.

NOTE: The above Gregorian Calendar equivalents may change slightly in a leap year Feasts during the month of Bashans:

• Bashans 24 - Entrance into Egypt.

• Named after Khenti, on the names of Horus or the sun. It means "the god of metals"
• Gregorian Calendar equivalent: June 8 to July 7.

NOTE: The above Gregorian Calendar equivalents may change slightly in a leap year.

• Named after Api-fee or Abib, who is the big serpent which Horus (the sun), the son of Osiris, killed to revenge for his father.
• Gregorian Calendar equivalent: July 8 to August 6.

NOTE: The above Gregorian Calendar equivalents may change slightly in a leap year.

• It has 5 days in three successive years and 6 days in the leap year.
• Gregorian Calendar equivalent: September 6-10.

NOTE: The above Gregorian Calendar equivalents may change slightly in a leap year.

The Annunciation (Baramhat 29, c. April 7): In it we recall the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, and the attainment which the men of God had longed for across the ages, namely the coming of the Word of God incarnated in the Virgin’s womb (Matt. 13:17).

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The Nativity of Christ (Christmas) on Kayhk 29, c. January 7: It is preceded by a fast of 43 days. Its aim is to confirm the divine love, when God sent His Only – begotten Son incarnate. Thus, He restored to humanity her honor, and sanctified our daily life, offering His life as a Sacrifice on our behalf.

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The Feast of Theophany (Epiphany) or the Baptism of Christ on Tobah 11, c. January 19: It is connected with Christmas and the circumcision feasts. For on Christmas, the Word of God took what is ours (our humanity) and in the “circumcision” He subjected Himself to the Law as He became one of us, but in the Epiphany He offered us what is His own. By His incarnation He became a true man while He still being the Only-begotten Son of God, and by baptism we became children of God in Him while we are human being In this feast, the liturgy of blessing the water is conducted, and the priest blesses the people by the water on their foreheads and hands to commemorate baptism.

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Palm Sunday: It is the Sunday which precedes Easter. It has its characteristic joyful hymns (the Shannon – Hosanna (Matt. 21:9), and its delightful rite. The church commemorates the entrance of our Lord Jesus into our inward Jerusalem to establish His Kingdom in us and gather all in Him. Therefore a delighful is procession or the redeemed believers, starts -God’s plan for Christ’s self-oblation. The procession moves towards the nave of the church were it stands before the icons of St. Mary, the Archangels, St. John the Baptist, the Apostles, the marthe ascetics etc… and before the church doors and the baptismal basin, praising God who embraces all together in His Son Jesus Christ. The procession ends by re-entering the sanctuary, for the of God of the Old and New testaments meet with the heavenly in heaven (sanctuary) forever.

The end of the liturgy of Eucharist, a general funeral service is held over water, which is sprinkled on behalf of anyone who may die during the Holy week, since the regular funeral prayers are not conducted during this week. By this rite, the church stresses on her pre-occupation with the passion and crucifixion of Christ only. She itrates on the marvelous events of this unique week with its glorious readings and rites which concern our salvation.

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Easter (The Feast of Resurrection) - The Christian Pasch or Passover is preceded by the Great Lent (55 days) and is considered by the Coptic Church as the Feast.” Its delight continues for fifty days until the Pentecost. Easter is also essentially celebrated on every Sunday by participating A sacrament of the Eucharist. For the church wishes that all believers may enjoy the new risen life in Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:4).

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Ascension: It is celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter Is on a Thursday. In this feast we recall Him who raises and lifts us up to sit with Him in heaven (Eph. 2:6).

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Pentecost: It represents the birthday of the Christian Church. Only-begotten Son paid the price for her salvation, He ascended heaven to prepare a place for her. He sent His Holy Spirit in her, offering her existence, guidance, sanctification and adornment as the Heavenly Bride. In this feast, the church chants hymns, being joyful with the resurrection of Christ, His ascension and the dwelling of His Holy Spirit in her, thus she connects the three feasts in one whole unity. On this day, the church conducts three sets of prayers, called “Kneeling,” during which incense and prayers are offered on behalf of the sick, the travelers, the winds, and it gives special attention to the dormant, as a sign of her enjoying the communion and unity with Christ that challenges even death.

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The Circumcision of our Lord: It is celebrated on the eighth day after Christmas (Tobah 6, c. 14 January), by which we remember that the Word of God who gave us the Law, He Himself was subjected to this Law, fulfilling it, to grant us the power to fulfill the Law in a spiritual manner. Thus we enjoy the circumcision of spirit and that of heart (Col. 2:11), instead of the literal circumcision of the flesh.

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The Entrance of our Lord into the Temple (Amshir 8, c. February 15): We remember that the Word of God became man and does not want us to be careless about our lives, but to set our goals early since childhood. Thus we have to work and fulfill our goals regardless of people related to us, in spite of our love and obedience to them (Luke 2:24

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The Escape of the Holy family to Egypt (Bashans 24, c. June 1): The Coptic Church is distinguished among all nations with this unique divine work, by the coming of our Lord to Egypt among the Gentiles.

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The First Miracle of our Lord Jesus at Cana (Tobah 13, c. January 12): Our Lord changed the water into wine, as His first miracle, at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, confirming His eagerness for our attaining the heavenly wedding, and granting us the wine of His exceeding love.

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The Transfiguration of Christ (Musra 13; c. August 19): The unity of the two testaments was manifested in this feast, for Moses and Elijah assembled together with Peter, James and John. The glory of our Lord was revealed to satisfy every soul who rises up with Him to the mountain of Tabor to enjoy the brightness of His Glory.

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Maundy Thursday: This is the Thursday of the Holy week. In it we commemorate the establishment of the Sacrament of Eucharist by our Lord Jesus, when He offered His Body and Blood as the living and effective Sacrifice, capable of sanctifying our hearts, granting us the victorious and eternal life.

This is the only day of the Holy Week in which Sacrifice of the Eucharist is offered, and the rite of washing the feet is practiced in commemoration of what Christ did for His disciples. On this day also an unusual procession takes place, starting from the south of the church nave, during which a hymn of rebuking Jude the betrayal is chanted as a warning to us not to fall like him.

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Thomas’s Sunday: This is the Sunday that follows Easter; In it we bless those who believe without seeing so that all might live in faith through the internal touch of the Savior’s wounds (John 20:29).

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