NEWS FEATURE: For First Time in Egypt, Coptic Christmas a Public Holiday

c. 2003 Religion News Service CAIRO, Egypt _ In a small, ancient chapel tucked away in Old Cairo, Hanaa Sarwat, a college graduate, came to pray and light candles. Sarwat, a Coptic Christian, traveled nine hours by train from Upper Egypt to visit some of the oldest churches in the world, found here. “It is […]

c. 2003 Religion News Service

CAIRO, Egypt _ In a small, ancient chapel tucked away in Old Cairo, Hanaa Sarwat, a college graduate, came to pray and light candles. Sarwat, a Coptic Christian, traveled nine hours by train from Upper Egypt to visit some of the oldest churches in the world, found here.

“It is one of my happiest days,” she said as she stood next to the wooden door leading into the chapel. Dozens of shoes were scattered in front of the door, which is more than 21 feet high and dates to the 10th century. Visitors must take off their shoes before they can enter the chapel.


This is a special time for Coptic Christians, who make up about 10 percent of the predominantly Muslim Egyptian population. Their Christmas, Jan. 7, is only days away and will signal an end to the 45-day fast that many Egyptian Copts observe.

This Christmas is unique because Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has declared it a national holiday. Historically, only Muslim holidays have been national ones while only Copts were allowed to take the day off on Christmas.

While some Copts reacted to Mubarak’s decision with indifference, others said it reflected a deeper meaning for them.

“It makes a big difference,” said Tamer Besada, a cafeteria employee. “(It means) that Christianity (in Egypt) is getting its rights,” he said.

Egyptian Copts generally live peacefully with their Muslim neighbors, but there have been incidents of sectarian violence and some Copts complain of discrimination.

Tahani Samir Sadek, a government employee, said the holiday decision would eliminate the negative feelings a few of her Muslim co-workers had before when they worked while she took the day off.

“It will create more harmony and closeness,” said George Louis, a teacher, as he sat inside the chapel. As he spoke, Copts moved quickly inside to whisper prayers. Others touched and wrapped parts of their bodies around a metal chain that some Christians believe was used to torture one of their saints.


Around the corner at the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus _ the oldest church in Cairo _ tourists and people coming to pray flooded the wooden benches inside. According to Christian beliefs, the church is built atop one of the sites where Jesus and the Virgin Mary rested during the time they spent in Egypt.

Manal Aziz, a recent college graduate, said she comes here often to pray and seek comfort. She said the holiday decision impacts students since many of them used to miss out on important lectures during the day or days they missed. These lectures were critical, Aziz said, since midterm exams usually follow Christmas. Christmas falls on Jan. 7 under the calendar used by the independent Coptic Orthodox Church.

She said the celebrations for her this year will not be any different than previous ones. She will attend Mass on Christmas Eve, visit convents and eat lots of meat and poultry, since animal products are off limits during the pre-Christmas fast.

Sami Riyad Awad, 60, a retired bank employee, said his family decorates the house with Christmas lights and children buy new clothes.

He said this Christmas is different because “all of us are celebrating.”

DEA END DABBOUS

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