Today, Sunday 5 May 2024, Copts celebrate the greatest of all Christian feasts, the Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
The feast comes as a culmination of the Passion of Christ and His death on the Cross, events which were marked with Pascha services and Masses throughout the past Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Vigil of the Apocalypse, and the Saturday of Light. Copts take part wholeheartedly in all these events; churches are typically packed with worshippers. Celebration of the Resurrection comes as the joy that overcomes all the painful events that preceded it; it is the triumph of Life over Death.
Tomorrow, 6 May 2024, Egyptians in their entirety celebrate the most ancient of their feasts: the Spring feast of Shamm al-Nessim. The feast was first celebrated as a national holiday in 2700BC. When Egypt became predominantly Christian during Roman times, however, the Spring feast frequently came during Lent, definitely not a time of festivity. So, Egyptians moved the date of Shamm al-Nessim to be celebrated every year on Easter Monday, the day following the Feast of the Resurrection.
In time-honoured tradition, crowds flock to gardens or the Nile banks, many of them boarding boats to sail the Nile. They eat traditional food: eggs to symbolise the renewal of life in Spring, salted fish symbolising fertility, onions believed to drive away evil spirits, and lettuce as a sign of abundance. Altogether, the day is one of festivity and joy.
Watani prays that its readers find the endless blessings of the Resurrection Feast, and wishes them the joy of life renewal in Shamm al-Nessim.
Watani International
5 May 2024