Christmas In Egypt

Christmas in Egypt

Egyptians follow Coptic (Orthodox) Church and celebrate Christmas on 7th of January instead the 25 of December. In General, the festivities start the week

before to January. The houses begin to exhibit their bright decorations and Christmas trees.

. Christmas cards are also a highly respected tradition in Egypt. They star in the Advent season is about forty-days and people abstain from eating meat or dairy products during this period. However, people only follow this dictum for

the last week of Advent.

On Christmas Eve, the Egyptians go to the church with new dressed and the service lasts till midnight.

. BELLS ARE RUNG TO MARK OFF THE END OF THE SERVICE AND PEOPLE DISPERSE AFTER RECEIVING SPECIAL BREAD CALLED ‘QURBAN’ (MEANING SACRIFICE) AT THE END OF THE SERVICE. THIS BREAD HAS A HOLY CROSS IN THE MIDDLE AND 12 DOTS TO REPRESENT THE 12 APOSTLES. THEN, THEY EAT A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS MEAL IN THEIR HOMES, WHICH IS KNOWN AS ‘FATA’. THIS MEAL HAS GOT BREAD, RICE, GARLIC AND BOILED MEAT AS.

IN THE MORNING, PEOPLE VISIT THEIR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS AND EXCHANGE ‘KAIK’ (A TYPE OF BREAD) THAT IS EATEN WITH A DRINK CALLED ’SHORTBAT’. CHRISTMAS IS CELEBRATED AS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY, ESPECIALLY FOR THE CHRISTIANS. SINCE THE HOLY FAMILY FLED TO EGYPT, THE CHURCH IS DECORATED WITH CANDLES AND LAMPS ON CHRISTMAS TO REMIND US OF THE TIMES WHEN JOSEPH LIT CANDLES TO KEEP THE COLD AWAY FROM MARY DURING THE NATIVITY.

Far from generating a large commercial bustle, as in much of the world, Christmas opts focuses on solidarity. When buying gifts and souvenirs to

decorate the home, the Egyptians go to the bazaars organizer to benefit local causes.