Christ’s Entry into the Land of Egypt
Background
In fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy, "An oracle concerning Egypt: Behold, the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and comes to Egypt; and the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence, and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them" (Is. 19:1); The Infant Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph the Carpenter, accompanied by Salome, mother of Zebedee's children, made the journey to Egypt in compliance with a divine message communicated to Joseph in a dream, directing them to leave Bethlehem and seek refuge in Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod the Great (Mt. 2:13).
The duration of the Holy Family's stay in Egypt is difficult to determine with precision; historians have been wavering between one and four years (it is now said that the stay took approximately three years and a few month). While in Egypt, another divine message was communicated to St. Joseph in a dream: "Rise, take the Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the Child's life are dead" (Mt. 2:20). This message, like the earlier one, was also in fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy, "Out of Egypt I called My Son" (Hos. 11:1).
Referenced to the Late Bishop Gregorios, General Bishop of Theological Post Graduate Studies, Coptic Culture and Scientific Research.
Global Coptic Day
On the same day as this feast, June 1, the church also celebrates Global Coptic Day. The Coptic Church aims to utilize social media for good with the hashtags #GlobalCopticDay and #June1 to raise awareness to the world toward the Coptic church with her rich history and her influence on Orthodox Christianity. We all have a duty to spread our faith to the world, so dedicating a day in the year where we all join hands with this same goal reminds and motivates each of us to fulfill this duty and while also creating a trend that sends a louder and more noticeable message to the world.
Spiritual Application
"In that day there shall be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt and a pillar at the border there to the Lord. And it shall be for a sign and a witness unto the Lord of Hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppression and He shall send them a Savior and a Great One and He shall deliver them...whom the Lord of Hosts shall bless saying, blessed be Egypt, My people..."
Isaiah 19:19-25
The land of Egypt was symbolized in the Old Testament as the land of sin, idolatry, and slavery over God’s people. Yet, after the Lord Jesus Christ, His mother St. Mary, and Joseph fled to Egypt, the land was blessed. St. Mark went to Egypt and, while there, preached Christianity and wrote the majority of his gospel account, which was the first of the four gospels. As Christianity spread, Alexandria became one of the main centers of Christianity in the world along with Jerusalem, Constantinople, Antioch, and Rome. Many church fathers who had a significant impact on early Christianity were Alexandrian, including St. Athanasius, St. Clement, St. Cyril, and Origen to only name a few.
The monastic movement began in the deserts of Egypt and it became its own school of spirituality and asceticism, such that Egypt became known as the mother of monasticism. Many monastics including St. Antony, St. Macarious, and St. Pachomius also had a major impact on the rest of the Christian world and became known as the desert fathers. Egyptian monasticism has a strong role in the Coptic church, and much of the church’s spiritual insights were revealed to us through the desert fathers. This influence is what gave the Coptic church its strong roots in asceticism.
Spiritual exercise
Egypt had a reputation of being the land of sinfulness, and Christ was able to completely change that simply with His visit. Likewise, Christ has reconciled with man through His Holy Resurrection. Therefore, this is a good time to repair the image we carry as Christians with those around us. We have been transformed through our union with Him, let us show proper Christian behavior and recognize that we are now the light of the world since we are a reflection of His light.
Also, it is a great time to get more familiar with the church fathers, including the desert fathers. Being familiar with the Alexandrian fathers allows us to understand the spirit and wisdom of the Coptic Orthodox church and to appreciate the deep spiritual insights that shaped the practices and guidance handed down to us.
Rites
Overview
The rites of this season follow the current joyful rites, with the addition of the hymns listed below.
Hymns
Verses of Cymbals
Rejoice and be glad, O Egypt: and all her borders: for unto you came the Lover of Mankind: Who was before all ages.
acts Response
Hail to His Resurrection, when He rose from the dead, in order to save us from our sins.
Rejoice and be glad, O Egypt: and all her borders: for unto you came the Lover of Mankind: Who was before all ages.
psalm response
Alleluia, Alleluia. Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, rose from the dead on the third day, entered into the land of Egypt. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Gospel Response
Then He was placed in the tomb, according to the prophetic voices, on the third day, Christ rose from the dead.
Alleluia (4) Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, rose from the dead.
Egypt, land of Pharaoh, rejoiced: by the entry of her true King: Jesus Christ Who granted her promise: by destroying her idols and removing defiance.
Alleluia (4) Jesus Christ, the Son of God, entered into the land of Egypt.
This is He to whom is due glory: with His good Father: and the Holy Spirit: both now and forever.
Psalm 150 Response
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, entered into the land of Egypt
Conclusion Hymn
We proclaim and say, our Lord Jesus Christ,
the King of Glory, Who rose from the dead on the third day, entered into the land of Egypt.
Save us and have mercy on us...