Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros is scheduled to visit the Monastery of Saint Bishoy in Wadi el-Natrun to mark Palm Sunday, Youm7 reported.
Palm Sunday, an event mentioned by all four Canonical Gospels, marks Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem where he, according to the Bible, was met and greeted by palm branches laid down at his feet, creating a path for him to walk on, member of the Coptic lay Council archpriest Salib Matta told Youm7.
“ It also marks the beginning of the Holy Week which continues with commemorations of crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter the following Sunday,” he added.
Copts in Egypt still perform the same tradition of weaving palm fronds and wheat stalks into decorations during Palm Sunday.
“Prices of palm fronds this year are higher than last year. A plain palm frond costs 8 EGP ($1.2) while the price of a twisted one could reach EGP 13,” Magdy Demian, a Coptic man, told Youm7 Saturday.
The day is marked by attending mass and reciting hymns at Coptic churches across the country.
The Coptic Orthodox Church is one of the oldest branches of Christianity that was founded by one of the 72 apostles sent forth by Jesus, professor of Coptic and Islamic history at Minya University Fathy Khourshid told The Cairo Post Sunday.
The word “Coptic” is derived from a Greek term meaning “Egyptian,” said Khourshid adding that the Coptic Church split from the Roman Church in a disagreement over the true nature of Christ.
