Celebrations and Songs

Every May 8, called 30 Baramoudah, Copts celebrate St. Mark’s feast day with joy, honoring their first pope who gave his life for Christ, per the Coptic Synaxarion. At Cairo’s St. Mark’s Cathedral, people sing hymns, some say like “Rejoice, O Mark,” calling him their lion of faith, per The Coptic Encyclopedia. Priests swing incense, symbolizing prayers to God, and some say kids wave palm branches, remembering Mark’s love for Christ.

Some say one year, a storm cleared as singing began, through Mark’s prayers to Christ. It’s a happy day, not sad, because Mark is in heaven with Christ, cheering his people. Families share stories, like how he tamed lions or healed Anianus, teaching courage, per Sunday school lessons. This feast, uniting Copts and echoed in EOTC’s Miyazia 30, says, “We’re your crew, St. Mark!” It’s loud, holy, and fun, showing his life shines through Christ.