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Circumcision Feast

Background

The Circumcision Feast occurs on the 6th of Tobe.  On this day the Copts commemorate the circumcision of Christ according to the Jewish custom. The practice of circumcision started with Abraham, in fulfillment of God's covenant (Gn. 17:9-14), by which every male child should be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. According to the New Testament, however, the sanctity of this ritual was superseded by the sacrament of Holy Baptism. The custom was also that the child would be named during this event. The Lord was named Jesus, which in Hebrew means "God saves".

Consequently, just as the uncircumcised were not allowed to partake of the Passover lamb, those who have not been baptized are not allowed to partake of Holy Communion (Col. 2:11-12). Saint Paul reiterates this point in most of his epistles, but he sums it up succinctly in Galatians: "For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation" (Gal. 6:15).  

During the apostolic age, a controversy arose from the Judaizers as to whether circumcision was essential as a religious practice. The apostles met in 51-52 at the Council of Jerusalem and agreed to send Paul and Barnabas, accompanied by Judas, Barsabas and Silas to Antioch, to settle the issue by explaining the real significance of circumcision in the light of the teachings of the New Testament (Acts 15:1-29).  

Article 51 (7-13) of Ibn al-‘Assal's Al-Majmu‘ al-Safawi (The Legal Compendium) states that circumcision is a practice followed out of habit and not in compliance with any religious ordinance, and that, though optional, it should not be carried out once a person has been baptized. Likewise, Bishop Athanasius of Qus explained that circumcision was not prescribed for females either prior to, or following, baptism.

The late Bishop Gregorios, the General Bishop of Theological Post Graduate Studies, Coptic Culture and Scientific Research. 

“Feasts, Minor.” Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia.

Spiritual Application 

“For as many as have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law, for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified”

Romans 2:12-13

The Feast of Circumcision is one of the Minor Feasts of the Lord and is celebrated eight days after the Nativity Feast (as it was the custom for a child to be circumcised eight days after his birth), and five days before the baptism of Christ in the Theophany Feast (where Christ will teach us about the transitioning from the practice of circumcision to baptism). Why did Christ come from Jewish descendants and follow their customs before bringing us to the law of faith? It is because Christ came to fulfill and perfect the law, not to destroy it. By doing this, He became a bridge from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant between us and the Father and gave us a spirit of sonship to the Father. Circumcision in the Old Testament symbol of the holy baptism in the New Testament. Therefore, the church gives significance to this feast as a reminder of Christ’s completion of the law and His transitioning us from the covenant of the law to the covenant of grace through baptism.

As Orthodox Christians, we believe that the grace of God is what saves us and that the law in itself cannot save us. However, we also believe that we cannot be saved without the law as it is a confirmation and manifestation of our faith. By not just believing, but also walking in the faith, we are now able to take utilize God’s grace to keep His commandments and fulfill the law. It is important to distinguish between the law of the flesh and the law of the spirit. The Jewish laws were the laws of the flesh, in preparation for the perfected law of the spirit. When Christ came, He gave us a higher understanding of the law and the grace to follow it.

This feast shows us how Christ came to fulfill and perfect the law. This feast reminds us, now that we have celebrated the start of the New Covenant with Christ’s incarnation, that we should keep this New Covenant with God by keeping His commandments by practicing our faith.

Spiritual exercise

We live this season through the circumcision of our hearts: putting off the old man and putting on the new one; to live not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Studying Romans Chapter 2 will help you to learn about the law of the flesh and the law of the Spirit. Let us take this time as a reminder to follow the perfected law through Christ. What profit is it for us to believe and to fully understand the mystery of the incarnation and our faith if we do not keep God’s commandments? For even the devils know the faith and believe. All of the commandments can be summed up in these: Love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor as yourself. Let us put our theoretical faith into practice and show our love and covenant with God by walking worthy of the calling with which we were called.

Rites

Overview

The Circumcision Feast is prayed in the Festive Tune. As a Minor Feast of our Savior, if it falls on a Wednesday or Friday, the fast is observed but without prostrations or abstaining.

Hymns

Verses of Cymbals

  • On the eighth day of His wonderful birth: he accepted to Himself the circumcision according to the manner of the Law

    Praxis Response 

  • Rejoice today with joy all you nations for Christ accepted unto Him the circumcision on our behalf

psalm response

  • Alleluia, Alleluia. Jesus Christ the Son of God, accepted unto Him the circumcision, according to what is fitting in the Law. Alleluia, Alleluia.

Gospel Response

  • O who has accepted unto Him the circumcision on the eighth day of Your birth, O Judge, grant that we circumcise our hearts from transgression, keeping the commandments and the laws.

  • Alleluia (4). Jesus Christ the Son of God accepted unto Him the circumcision,

  • 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, accepted the circumcision.

Conclusion Hymn

  • The Son of God accepted unto Him the circumcision. Save us and have mercy on us…