Q&A Home > F > Feasts

How does the Coptic Church differ from the Catholic and the protestant churches in her fasting and celebration of Christmas and Easter?

Before every major or minor feast, a designated fasting period is observed. Fasting gives us the opportunity to beseech God to spiritually prepare us for the grace we are about to receive, so that we may honor and appreciate His graciousness. Many churches have set the fasting aside and kept the feast The Holy Bible shows that throughout time, God's people fasted: Christ Himself fasted, St. John the Baptist, and all the apostles as well. So we too observe fasting and conclude it with feasting. In the Book of Esther, it is clear that because of Esther's Judaic understanding of the importance of fasting to God, she fasted with confidence before undertaking a difficult task that put her life on the line. With an unwavering faith, she instructed her people to also fast and was inspired to accept God's will: "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16). The feast of Purim was instituted and observed by the Jewish people till this day.