Egypt: Coptic Christian Palm Sunday

15 10 2023

Our Egypt Experience coincided with the Muslim tradition of Ramadan, and also coincided with Easter Season. On the day our journey to Alexandria, Egypt, took place, it was Palm Sunday in the Coptic Orthodox Christian calendar. We visited the famous Monastery of Saint Pishoy, which is one of four monasteries of Wadi el Natrun. Once inside, the experience was peaceful, contemplative.

Our well-connected and ever thoughtful guide Ahmed had a surprise in store for us!

After wending through the outer buildings and walkways, we found ourselves at the cathedral, where Palm Sunday services were underway.

Ahmed had called up the head of the Church, the Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Christian Church in Egypt and had a front row pew reserved for us! WOW! We were welcomed and taken there, where we witnessed this event.

It was being televised for a national broadcast in Egypt.

My faith is Protestant – Anglican – Episcopal. This service was very different to me! We were unable to stay for the entire service. But, the experience was powerful.


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3 responses

17 03 2024
Chuckster's avatar Chuckster

What a fantastic experience, I really enjoy learning other regions interpretations of Christianity. It is so easy to become ensconced in one’s own experience. Thanks for sharing! ☦️

15 10 2023
Unknown's avatar Anonymous

It was really special. Especially considering it’s a hugely majority Muslim country. I will say something heretical, however. I have reason to think Moses may have plagiarized the Egyptian goddess Maat. She had 42 Commandments 2,000 years before Moses. More on Maat later!

15 10 2023
Crystal M. Trulove's avatar Crystal M. Trulove

That is a truly special experience. You must have been so excited to participate. I am atheist, but I would have LOVED to be invited to share in this sacred ceremony to honor such an important holiday.

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