Nayrouz, the Coptic New Year

[Debater Slayer]

Today marks the celebration of Nayrouz, marking the Coptic new year and, per Coptic Orthodox tradition, the commemoration of martyrs and confessors.

The evolution of the calendar

The Coptic calendar is known as the most recent rendition of the ancient Egyptian civil calendar. The civil calendar was divided into three seasons based on Nile observations: the season of inundation (Akhet), the season of planting (Peret), and the season of harvest (Shemu).

The eleventh day of September marks the start of Nayrouz, the Coptic New Year, as well as the Egyptian New Year—except for the year preceding a leap year when it is celebrated on 12 September.

Copts also preserved the ancient names of the solar year, where each month was named after a god who was believed to be in control of the climate and agricultural activity during the corresponding time of the year: Tout, Baba, Hathor,Kiahka, Toba, Amshir, Baramhat, Baramouda, Bashans, Paona, Epep, Mesra, and Nasie.

Although the calendar is associated with the Coptic Church for its liturgical readings and to determine the dates for feasts and fasts, outside the walls of the church, modern-day Egyptian farmers of all faiths use the calendar as a basis for regulating the cycle of seeding and harvesting crops.

Did You Know that the Coptic Calendar is Still Used in Egypt?

For millennia, the Coptic Christian community has formed an essential strand in the fabric of Egyptian culture. As can be seen through the remnants of the Coptic language and the standing Coptic c

egyptianstreets.com

Happy Coptic New Year!

 

[mangalavara]

Happy Coptic New Year!

As someone who loves calendars, I remembered recently that it is the Coptic New Year. It’s interesting that they call it Nayrouz.

Happy Nayrouz!

 

[syo]

Have a good one!

 

[mangalavara]

Where I am, it is currently Nayrouz and Enkutatash on the Coptic and Ethiopian calendars, respectively. I had mentioned it to a South African co-worker this evening.

Happy Coptic New Year!

Happy Ethiopian New Year!

 

[Debater Slayer]

Where I am, it is currently Nayrouz and Enkutatash on the Coptic and Ethiopian calendars, respectively. I had mentioned it to a South African co-worker this evening.

Happy Coptic New Year!

Happy Ethiopian New Year!

Yep, today is Nayrouz.

Happy Coptic and Ethiopian New Year to you too—and to everyone else who celebrates either!

 

[mangalavara]

Yep, today is Nayrouz.

Happy Coptic and Ethiopian New Year to you too—and to everyone else who celebrates either!

Where you are, do days on the Coptic Calendar begin at dawn or some other time? I recall reading somewhere that days on the Alexandrian Calendar began at dawn.

 

[Debater Slayer]

Where you are, do days on the Coptic Calendar begin at dawn or some other time? I recall reading somewhere that days on the Alexandrian Calendar began at dawn.

I think they begin at dawn, yes, although I'm not sure.