Amidst hymns of peace, the See of St. Mark inside and outside Egypt celebrated Christmas on Sunday after fasting for 43 consecutive days.
Church-goers called for peace, stability, and an end to all conflict, as churches and dioceses hung decorations, and bells rang in joy for the holiday.
Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, presided over the Christmas Mass, in the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ in the New Administrative.
The Pope sent a pastoral message on the occasion of Christmas to all Copts in Egypt and abroad, translated into 20 different languages, in which he congratulated everyone on the holiday and wished the best for Egypt’s leadership and people.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly sent a congratulatory telegram to Pope Tawadros and all Coptic citizens on the occasion of the Christmas celebrations.
The Red Sea received hundreds of Coptic visitors from various governorates during the Christmas holidays, who flocked to the ancient monasteries of Anba Paula and Anba Anthony.
The bishoprics and churches of Minya were decorated, and the bells rang to joyfully welcome Christmas inside 10 bishoprics – including nine Orthodox and one Catholic – amid strict security measures.
According to Christian tradition, Christmas is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
The celebrations are not limited to being a religious occasion, but are also widespread cultural traditions that some celebrate, regardless of beliefs, with family and friends.
Celebrations include lighting the Christmas tree in churches, parishes, and some public places in the regions that celebrate this occasion, and decorating this tree with lights, decorations, and colors.
