At the culmination of the season Tuesday, Coptic Christian families in Cairo gathered to worship and sing, dressed in their best, to break the fast together and celebrate.
Source: https://www.voanews.com/gallery/egypts- ... -christmas
Photos by: (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)
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01 Residents of "Garbage City," a largely Coptic neighborhood of eastern Cairo, put up a Christmas tree made of materials including recycled plastic.
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02 Cairo butchers do brisk business the day before Christmas. After Christmas Eve Mass, Coptic Orthodox Christians break a long meatless fast.
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03 Shoppers flock to fruit vendors ahead of Coptic Christmas. Fruit is an essential part of celebrations for both Christians and Muslims in Egypt.
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04 Cookies are part of a long Egyptian tradition on feast days.
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05 A father buys shoes for his daughter ahead of Christmas.
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06 Aiming to look their best on a special day, men get haircuts as they prepare to celebrate the feast with their families and friends.
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07 In Cairo's Garbage City, Coptic children enjoy time off from school during the holiday.
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08 Entire families attend Mass on Christmas Eve, which for Coptic Christians falls on January 6th.
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09 At Christmas, Coptic men wear special garments known as Tonyas.
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10 In the Coptic tradition, men and women worship separately.
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11 Coptic men attend a Christmas celebration Mass where the story of Jesus' nativity is re-told.
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12 Egyptian politicians, members of parliament, and government officials attend Christmas Mass where they congratulate leaders of the Coptic community.
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13 Coptic priests sing in praise as they consecrate bread during Christmas Mass.
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14 Some 21st century pastimes clash with ancient traditions as young worshipers play a video game during Christmas Mass.
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15 Toward the end of the Mass, Coptic believers line up to receive communion.
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16 After Christmas Mass, young Coptic Christians gather with family and friends to relax and have fun.