Calendar

Feasts & Fasts of the Church

The Coptic Orthodox Church follows an ancient liturgical calendar of feasts and fasts that mark the life of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Theotokos St. Mary, and the saints. Below are the major feasts and fasts observed throughout the year, including the Feast of the Archangel Michael, the patron saint of this parish. These dates are computed automatically each year from the Coptic calendar and Orthodox Paschal computation, so they are always current.

Upcoming

Archangel Michael Commemoration Patron

Feast of Archangel Michael

12 Hathor

November 21, 2026

Commemorates the appearance and intercession of the Archangel Michael, patron of this parish. The 12th day of every Coptic month is traditionally dedicated to the Archangel Michael, with 12 Hathor observed as the principal feast.

Fast

The Nativity Fast (Advent)

43 days before 29 Koiak (the Nativity)

November 25, 2026 – January 7, 2027

A 43-day fast in preparation for the Feast of the Nativity.

Major Feast (Lord)

Feast of the Nativity (Coptic Christmas)

29 Koiak

January 7, 2027

Celebrates the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.

Minor Feast

Circumcision of our Lord

6 Toba

January 14, 2027

Commemorates the circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ on the eighth day after His birth.

Major Feast (Lord)

Theophany (Feast of the Epiphany / Baptism of Christ)

11 Toba

January 19, 2027

Commemorates the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.

Minor Feast

Wedding at Cana of Galilee

13 Toba

January 21, 2027

Commemorates our Lord's first miracle, turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana.

Full Calendar

Name	Coptic Date	Gregorian Date(s)	Kind	Description
Feast of Archangel Michael Patron	12 Hathor	November 21, 2026	Archangel Michael Commemoration	Commemorates the appearance and intercession of the Archangel Michael, patron of this parish. The 12th day of every Coptic month is traditionally dedicated to the Archangel Michael, with 12 Hathor observed as the principal feast.
The Nativity Fast (Advent)	43 days before 29 Koiak (the Nativity)	November 25, 2026 – January 7, 2027	Fast	A 43-day fast in preparation for the Feast of the Nativity.
Feast of the Nativity (Coptic Christmas)	29 Koiak	January 7, 2027	Major Feast (Lord)	Celebrates the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.
Circumcision of our Lord	6 Toba	January 14, 2027	Minor Feast	Commemorates the circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ on the eighth day after His birth.
Theophany (Feast of the Epiphany / Baptism of Christ)	11 Toba	January 19, 2027	Major Feast (Lord)	Commemorates the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.
Wedding at Cana of Galilee	13 Toba	January 21, 2027	Minor Feast	Commemorates our Lord's first miracle, turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana.
Presentation of our Lord in the Temple	8 Amshir	February 15, 2027	Minor Feast	Commemorates the presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple forty days after His birth.
The Fast of Nineveh	Movable - 69 days before the Resurrection	February 22, 2027 – February 24, 2027	Fast	A 3-day fast commemorating the repentance of the people of Nineveh at the preaching of the Prophet Jonah, observed the week before Great Lent begins.
The Great Lent (Holy 55 Days)	Movable	March 8, 2027 – May 1, 2027	Fast	The principal fasting season of the church year, including the 40 days of Lent and Holy Week, leading up to the Feast of the Resurrection.
Feast of the Annunciation	29 Baramhat	April 7, 2027	Feast of the Theotokos (St. Mary)	Commemorates the Archangel Gabriel's announcement to the Virgin St. Mary that she would conceive and bear our Lord Jesus Christ.
Palm Sunday	Movable - one week before the Feast of the Resurrection	April 25, 2027	Major Feast (Lord)	Commemorates the triumphal entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.
Holy (Covenant) Thursday	Movable - three days before the Resurrection	April 29, 2027	Minor Feast	Commemorates the Last Supper, when our Lord instituted the Eucharist.
Good Friday	Movable - two days before the Resurrection	April 30, 2027	Minor Feast	Commemorates the Crucifixion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Feast of the Resurrection (Coptic Easter / Pascha)	Movable	May 2, 2027	Major Feast (Lord)	The Feast of Feasts, celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, computed each year from the Orthodox/Coptic Paschal computus.
Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist	30 Baramouda	May 8, 2027	Saint / Archangel Commemoration	Commemorates St. Mark the Evangelist, founder of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt.
Thomas Sunday (New Sunday)	Movable - one week after the Resurrection	May 9, 2027	Minor Feast	Commemorates the Apostle Thomas's encounter with the Risen Christ, one week after Pascha.
Entrance of our Lord into Egypt	24 Bashans	June 1, 2027	Minor Feast	Commemorates the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt to escape King Herod.
Feast of the Ascension	Movable - 39 days after the Resurrection	June 10, 2027	Major Feast (Lord)	Commemorates the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven.
Feast of Pentecost	Movable - 49 days after the Resurrection	June 20, 2027	Major Feast (Lord)	Commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.
The Apostles' Fast	Movable start (day after Pentecost) - fixed end (5 Epep)	June 21, 2027 – July 12, 2027	Fast	A fast observed in honor of the Holy Apostles, beginning the day after Pentecost and ending on the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (5 Epep).
Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul	5 Epep	July 12, 2027	Saint / Archangel Commemoration	Commemorates the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and marks the end of the Apostles' Fast.
The Fast of the Virgin Mary	1 Mesra - 15 Mesra	August 7, 2027 – August 21, 2027	Fast	A 15-day fast in honor of the Virgin St. Mary, spanning 1-15 Mesra and ending the day before the Feast of the Assumption on 16 Mesra.
Feast of the Transfiguration	13 Mesra	August 19, 2027	Major Feast (Lord)	Commemorates the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ on Mount Tabor.
Feast of the Assumption / Dormition of St. Mary	16 Mesra	August 22, 2027	Feast of the Theotokos (St. Mary)	Commemorates the falling asleep (Dormition) and Assumption of the Virgin St. Mary. This is a feast of the Theotokos, not a feast of the Lord.