When did the Coptic Church begin fasting the Preparation Week during Lent?

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

In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, the addition of the Preparation Week (also known as the "Pre-Lenten Week") to the beginning of Great Lent is an ancient liturgical development that reflects the Church's desire to offer a "Tithe of the Year" to God.

1. The Original Forty Days

In the earliest centuries of the Church, following the teaching of the Apostles and the example of our Lord, the fast consisted strictly of forty days. This was the standardized fast confirmed by Pope Demetrius I (the 12th Pope) and later by the Council of Nicaea (325 AD).

2. The Development of the Preparation Week (6th–7th Centuries)

The Preparation Week was formally integrated into the Coptic rite during the middle of the first millennium. Historically, it is often associated with the era of Pope Damian (the 35th Pope of Alexandria, 569–605 AD) or shortly thereafter.

The Theological Reason:

As Coptic Orthodox Christians, we calculate the "Tithe of the Year" (365 days) as approximately 36.5 days.

• The original 40 days of Lent, when excluding the Saturdays and Sundays (which are not days of "profound" fasting/abstinence in the same way), did not equal a full tithe.
• By adding the Preparation Week at the beginning and the Holy Pascha Week (Passion Week) at the end, the Church ensured that the total number of fasting days (55 days in total for the modern Coptic Lent) would far exceed the tithe, showing the "Philanthropia" (love of mankind) and the generosity of the believer toward the Lover of Mankind.

3. The Purpose of the Preparation Week

The Church added this week as a "spiritual warm-up." It serves to:

• Transition the faithful from the "world" into the "wilderness" of the fast.
• Focus the mind on repentance through the specific readings of the "Self-Denial" and the "Kingdom of God."
• Prepare the soul to enter the core forty days (which technically begin on the Monday of the second week) with a pure heart.

4. Liturgical Distinction

Liturgically, the Preparation Week is distinct. During this week:

• We begin to use the Lenten Tune (the Sad/Mournful Tune).
• We perform the Metanoias (prostrations).
• We chant the specific Lenten hymns that lead us toward the "7 Tunes" of on Joyous Saturday.

5. Historical Context vs. Other Traditions

• The Greeks (Byzantines): Use a different "Triodion" period and do not have a "Preparation Week" that is counted as part of the 55 days in the same categorical way as the Coptic Church.
• The Protestants: Mostly do not observe Lent at all, as they often reject the "straightforward" traditions and canons established by the Holy Fathers like St. Athanasius and St. Cyril.

Summary

The Coptic Church began incorporating the Preparation Week during the late 6th or early 7th century to ensure the fast was a complete and perfect sacrifice to God. Since then, it has remained a pillar of the Coptic Orthodox "Great Fast," totaling 55 days:

1. 7 Days: Preparation Week.
2. 40 Days: The Great Fast (following the Lord's fast).
3. 8 Days: Holy Pascha Week (ending with the Resurrection).

By observing this full period, we show our devotion to the Lover of Mankind who fasted for us and eventually rose for our salvation.