St. Mary's Coptic
Orthodox Church

The Coptic calendar, also known as the Alexandrian calendar, is a calendar which the Coptic Orthodox Church uses. It is the oldest calendar in history and was influenced by the stars. The Egyptians tracked the star Sirius, or Sothis as they called it, and used its position to mark significant dates. The calendar was first introduced in the year 284 AD, known as the Anno Martyrum or Year of the Martyrs, which corresponded with the first year of Emperor Diocletian’s rule. Diocletian was known for his firm hatred and subsequent persecution and slaughter of Christians. The Copts chose Diocletian’s reign as a starting point for their calendar as it represented the strength of their faith even unto death.

The Copts adopted the names of the calendar months from those used in the ancient Egyptian calendar. The ancient Egyptians named each month after a god who was believed to be in control of the climate and agricultural activity during the corresponding time of the year. The year was divided into 3 main seasons and a short month:

• The season of the flood of the Nile (Tute to Kiahk)
• The season of vegetation (Tubah to Baramoudah)
• The season of reaping and harvesting (Bashans to Misra)
• The small month was a chance for feasts and festivals

The Coptic months in order are:

1. Tute (September 11 – October 10): named after the god Tegot (Tut or Tuhout), god of wisdom, science, art, inventions, and divine mysteries for the Egyptians.
2. Babah (October 11 – November 9): named after Yee-pee or Ha-pee, god of the Nile or of Thebes, who is also the god of vegetation because in this month the earth becomes green with vegetation.
3. Hatour (November 10 – December 9): named after Hator or Hatho, goddess of love and beauty because the land becomes lush and green during this month.
4. Kiahk (December 10 – January 8): named after Ka-Ha-Ka, the god of good and sacred bull Apis.
5. Tubah (January 9 – February 7): named after Asmo or Khem, form of the god Amoun-ru, god of Thebes in Upper Egypt; he is the god of the growth of nature since much rain falls during this month.
6. Amshir (February 8 – March 9): particular to the genius of wind, due to the storms and wind that occur a lot and the heat of the summer begins.
7. Baramhat (March 10 – April 8): named after Mont, god of war. The Egyptians called it the month of the sun due to the high temperature.
8. Baramoudah (April 9 – May 8): named after Renno, god of severe wind or death because vegetation ends and the earth get dry during this month.
9. Bashans (May 9 – June 7): named af Khonso, god of the moon, on of the Thebic trinity and the son of Amoun-Ru and Mout.
10. Baounah (June 8 – July 7): named after Khenti, a name of Horus or the sun. It means “the god of the metals.”
11. Abib (July 8 – August 6): named after Api-fee or Abib, who is the big serpent which Horus (the sun), the son of Osiris, killed to revenge for his father.
12. Misra (August 7 – September 5): particular to the birth of the sun or what is known as the “summer shift.”
13. El-Nasi (September 6 – September 10): known as the “short month” and is 5 days (6 days on Leap year) and was a chance for feasts and festivals.

The Coptic Church celebrates seven Major Feasts, and 8 Minor Feasts throughout the year.