What is the Minor Feast celebrated on July 5, 2026?
By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10
On July 5, 2026 (which corresponds to 28 Baounah in the Coptic calendar), the Church celebrates a significant Minor Feast of the Lord: The Commemoration of the Consecration of the Church of Bashmouri (the First Church of the Virgin Mary) in the city of Philippi.
While the 21st of every Coptic month is the monthly commemoration of the Virgin Mary, the 28th of Baounah is specifically tied to the miracle where the Lord Jesus Christ, with His Apostles, appeared to consecrate a church in her name.
Why it is a Minor Feast
In the Coptic Orthodox Rite, there are seven Minor Feasts of the Lord. These feasts are distinctive because they commemorate specific moments in the Lord’s life or manifestations of His glory that, while "minor" in comparison to the Seven Great Feasts (like the Resurrection or Nativity), are still celebrated with a Joyful tune.
Because today is a Feast of the Lord:
- The Tune: All prayers are chanted in the Joyful tune (Frayhi).
- No Prostrations: There are no metanias (prostrations) to the ground during the liturgy, as it is a day of joy.
- No Fasting Restrictions: If this day falls on a Wednesday or Friday, the fast is observed, but the tune remains joyful and the liturgy is prayed without the fasting "prostration" rites.
- The Hymn: This is exactly why you heard Ontos Alithos before the Gospel response today. It is the Church's way of announcing that "Truly, Indeed," our Lord is present and we are participating in a heavenly celebration.
Our great cantors, such as Moalem Ibrahim Ayad and Moalem George Mikhail, emphasize that these Minor Feasts are vital to the life of the Church because they ensure that the "Joy of the Resurrection" is tasted throughout the entire year, and not just during the 50 days of Pentecost.