Egypt’s Copts begin holy week celebrations

The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrated Lazarus Saturday in preparation for the start of holy week, which begins on Sunday after the conclusion of the Palm Sunday liturgy. (AFP/File)

• Individuals will have the opportunity to perform three evening prayers, attend three other occasions
• Holy week is considered one of their holiest religious occasions of the calendar

CAIRO: The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrated Lazarus Saturday in preparation for the start of holy week, which begins on Sunday after the conclusion of the Palm Sunday liturgy.
The week “is devoted to worship, during which Copts dedicate themselves to all their work, and gather in churches to pray and meditate,” Coptic writer and activist Robert Fares said.
Egypt’s Orthodox Copts, along with churches of the Eastern calendar, start celebrating holy week on Sunday, he told Arab News.
An official responsible for organizing prayers in some of the churches of Alexandria, who preferred to remain anonymous, said: “Some churches of eastern Alexandria decided to arrange and organize additional places for prayer during holy week.”
This provides an opportunity for individuals to obtain the blessing of prayer on more than one occasion.
Individuals will have the opportunity to perform three evening prayers, attend three other occasions, and perform morning prayers on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays without reservation, said the official.
Fares said: “On Monday morning, church bells ring to announce the start of the prayers of the Holy Pascha, which will continue until next Wednesday.
“Lazarus Saturday is the day the church celebrates the resurrection of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, after four days of lying in the tomb, according to Christian belief. On this day, the church performs the prayers of the divine liturgy.”
Holy week is considered one of their holiest religious occasions of the calendar.
“The church lives during this holy week in a spiritual and ritual state that differs from the rest of the year’s rituals,” said Fares.
“It recalls the sacred memories of the holiest stage of salvation, and the most important chapter in the story of redemption.”
Hegomen Justus Fanous, a priest of the Church of the Virgin in Qanatir, Cairo, outlined the meaning of the Holy Pascha in media statements: “The word Pascha is a Greek word, and it is the same as the Hebrew word ‘Pesah,’ meaning passing or crossing. It is called the period of Pascha Week and has been translated roughly into most languages. In Coptic and Greek, it is ‘Pascha,’. In Arabic and in English, it’s ‘Pass-over’.”