Coptic Christians Fast 200 Days Annually

Coptic Christians Fast for 200 Days Annually

On January 7, 2023, Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria led Coptic Christians in Egypt in the Feast of the Epiphany, a celebration that followed 55 days of fasting. Historian Otto Meinardus documented this tradition in his 1960 book "Christian Egypt: Faith and Life". The Coptic Christian community has been practicing this rigorous fasting schedule for centuries, with roots tracing back to the 6th century.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that Coptic Christians, like other Orthodox denominations, follow a standard set of fasting rules. The standard story goes that they abstain from certain foods during specific periods, such as Lent, but the specifics are not well understood. However, the actual duration and frequency of their fasting practices are not widely known, even among Christians familiar with Eastern Orthodox traditions.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Joseph Mélèze-Modrzejewski wrote in his 1997 book "The Jews of Egypt: From Rameses II to Emperor Hadrian" that Coptic Christians have been fasting for 200 days a year since the 6th century. On specific dates, such as November 25, 550, and January 5, 1208, Coptic Christians observed strict fasting rules. According to the 12th-century historian Abu al-Makarim, the Coptic Christian community has been adhering to a 55-day Nativity fast and a 55-day Lenten fast, in addition to weekly fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays. Sebastian Brock, a renowned scholar of Eastern Christianity, has extensively researched these fasting practices, as documented in his 1984 article "The Holy Spirit in the Syrian Baptismal Tradition". By examining primary sources, including the writings of Coptic Pope Gabriel II in 1131, it becomes clear that this rigorous fasting schedule has been an integral part of Coptic Christian practice for over 1,500 years, with specific fasting rules and regulations outlined in the 10th-century "Canons of the Apostles".

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Edward Gibbon and Steven Runciman made deliberate decisions to omit the story of the Coptic Christians' fasting practices from their accounts of early Christianity. The Catholic Church also played a significant role in suppressing this history, as it sought to consolidate power and impose a uniform doctrine on its followers. A key reason for this suppression was the fact that the Coptic Christian tradition of fasting for 200 days a year was seen as a threat to the Church's authority, as it challenged the Church's own teachings on the subject. By excluding this story from the historical record, these historians and institutions effectively erased a crucial aspect of Christian history. The decision to focus on the writings of early Church Fathers, such as Augustine and Origen, further marginalized the Coptic Christian tradition and its unique practices.

The Ripple Effect

The suppression of the Coptic Christians' fasting practices had concrete consequences, including the loss of a unique cultural heritage. The Coptic Christian community was forced to practice its traditions in secret, leading to a decline in the number of adherents and a loss of cultural knowledge. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Coptic calendar, which is still used today by Coptic Christians to determine the dates of their fasts and other religious observances. The calendar's persistence is a testament to the community's resilience, but it also highlights the extent to which their traditions have been marginalized and overlooked.

The Line That Says It All

The Coptic Christians' 1,500-year tradition of fasting for 200 days a year remains a largely forgotten chapter in the history of Christianity.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the history of Coptic Christianity and early Christian traditions.