What are the monthly commemorations in the Church?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

In the Coptic Orthodox Church, the liturgical calendar is structured so that we never go long without celebrating the work of God through His Mother and His Saints. Beyond the major and minor feasts of the Lord, the Church observes three specific Monthly Commemorations on fixed days of every Coptic month.

These commemorations are observed on the 21st, the 12th, and the 29th of each Coptic month.

1. The Commemoration of the Holy Virgin Mary (21st)

On the 21st day of every Coptic month, the Church celebrates the feast of our Lady, the Holy Theotokos, the Virgin Mary.

• Significance: This specific day marks the departure (falling asleep) of the Holy Virgin. While we have a major feast for her Assumption in August (16 Mesore), we honor her monthly to acknowledge her unique role as the Mother of God and the pride of our race.
• Liturgical Observance: Special Doxologies and Psalis are chanted in her honor during the Midnight Praise (Tasbeha) and the Raising of Incense.
• Exception: This monthly celebration is not observed during the month of Tobi (because her main departure feast is the 21st of Tobi) or during the month of Mesore (due to the 15-day fast and feast of her Assumption).

2. The Commemoration of Archangel Michael (12th)

On the 12th day of every Coptic month, the Church celebrates the feast of the Archangel Michael.

• Significance: St. Michael is the head of the heavenly hosts and the special guardian of the Church and the Nile. We commemorate his intercession and his role as the one who stood against the rebellion of Satan.
• Liturgical Observance: The "Doxology of the Archangel" is chanted, and his name is mentioned in the Commemoration of the Saints.
• Special Feasts: While he is remembered every month, two months have major feasts: 12 Baouna (celebrating his intervention for the rising of the Nile) and 12 Hathor (his primary feast in the heavenly orders).

3. The Feast of the Annunciation, Nativity, and Resurrection (29th)

On the 29th day of every Coptic month, the Church celebrates the three major mysteries of our salvation: the Annunciation, the Nativity, and the Resurrection.

• Significance: Because these three major feasts occur on the 29th day of their respective months (29 Paremhotep for Annunciation, 29 Koiahk for Nativity, and the Resurrection being the fulfillment of all), the Church gathers them into one monthly celebration of the Incarnate Word, our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Liturgical Observance: On this day, we pray with the Festal Tune (Joyful tune) during the Liturgy rather than the Annual tune. We do not perform prostrations (metanias) of repentance, nor do we fast until the late hours (if it falls on a Wednesday or Friday).
• Exceptions: This monthly feast is not observed during the months of Tobi and Meshir, as they represent the period of "repentance" between the Nativity and the Annunciation, nor is it celebrated during the Holy Great Fast (except for the actual Feast of the Annunciation) or Holy Week.

Other Fixed Monthly Commemorations

While the three above are the primary "General" commemorations for the whole Church, many local churches or individuals observe:

• The 7th Day: Often associated with the Annunciation in certain local traditions.
• The 24th Day: The Arrival of the Holy Family in Egypt (celebrated majorly on 24 Pashons).
• Specific Patronal Feasts: If a church is named after a specific saint (e.g., St. Mina or St. George), the congregation may observe that saint's monthly commemoration (the 15th for St. Mina or the 23rd for St. George).

These monthly cycles, preserved by our great cantors like Moalem Ibrahim Ayad, Moalem Gad Lewis, and Moalem George Mikhail, ensure that the Coptic believer lives in a constant state of "Heaven on Earth," always connected to the, the Angels, and the Savior.