Desert Parties and Songs

Every January 30, the Monastery of St. Anthony by the Red Sea becomes a joyful celebration for Coptic Christians—it’s the Feast of St. Anthony, marking when he went to heaven in 356 AD on 22 Tobi in the Coptic calendar! Monks lead prayers, pilgrims set up tents, and kids join in, singing Anthony’s praises. They climb to his cave, light candles, and sing hymns like “Star of the Desert,” their voices echoing off the cliffs. The air hums with Coptic stories—how Anthony fought demons or helped heal skin troubles like “St. Anthony’s Fire”—and some say his cave glows at night, as if he’s saying, “I’m here!”

A Coptic story tells of a sick pilgrim during the mulid, the big festival, who prayed by Anthony’s spring and felt stronger, praising, “Anthony prayed for me!” It’s a loud, lively, and holy day, filled with food, songs, and stories of miracles. For kids, it’s like a desert birthday bash: Anthony’s the guest of honor, and everyone’s invited to sing and celebrate his life with God. This January feast shows he’s still with us, praying for us every year.