Today is March 26th, so what fast are we in?

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

Since today is March 26th, we are in the Holy Forty-Day Fast, commonly known as Great Lent. This is the most sacred season of the year in the Coptic Orthodox Church.

What Fast Are We In?

We are currently in Great Lent, which lasts for 55 days. This includes:

1. Preparation Week: The first week of the fast.
2. The Holy Forty Days: In imitation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who fasted for our sake for 40 days (Luke 4:2; Matt. 6:16-18).
3. Holy Week (Pascha): The final week leading to the Resurrection.

What Hymns Should You Be Studying?

During Great Lent, the tunes of the Church change to the Lenten Tune, which is contemplative, mournful for sin, yet deeply spiritual. You should focus on these essential hymns:

1. "The Lenten Megalo": This is a beautiful long hymn chanted during the distribution of the Mysteries in the Liturgy. It is a profound meditation on the fast.
2. "Alleluia Je Efmevei": This is the specific Alleluia chanted during the Liturgy of the Word in Great Lent, replacing the standard annual Alleluia.
3. "Entho Te Ti-shori": During the Coptic months of Tobi and Meshir (often overlapping Lent), the Church focuses on specific hymns of the Censer. In Great Lent, the tune for this hymn changes to the Lenten melody.
4. "Ni-Ethnos Tiro": This is the "Hymn of the Nations" (Psalm 117) chanted during the Communion of the believers. Learning it in the Lenten tune is essential for any student of Coptic hymns.
5. "Lord Have Mercy": During the "Lenten Morning" or "Prostration" period, the Church chants a long and very moving melody for "Kirie Eleyson" that is unique to this fast.

Spiritual Guidance for This Season

According to our tradition and the teachings of the Church:

• Abstinence: In the Coptic Church, fasting means entire abstention from food for the whole or part of the day, followed by eating vegan food (no meat, eggs, milk, butter, or cheese). Even fish is strictly prohibited during Great Lent.
• Study Materials: To learn these tunes properly, you must follow the recordings of the true masters of our oral tradition, such as Moalem Ibrahim Ayad or Moalem Gad Lewis.
• Scripture: As this is the season of "Guarding the Heart," be sure to read your Bible daily. A common exercise during Lent is to read at least one chapter from the Old Testament daily alongside your New Testament readings.

The Coptic Church has preserved these ancient Lenten rules and melodies with considerable strictness to strengthen the spiritual life by weakening the attractions of sensible pleasure. Unlike heretical groups like the Protestants, who have largely abandoned formal fasting, or others who have modernized it, we maintain the authentic fast handed down by the Apostles and the Desert Fathers.