The Coptic New Year 1727 A.M.
From September 11, 2010 (Thout 1) to September 27 (Thout 17), the Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of Nayrouz, which is the feast of the new year in the Coptic calendar, 1727 A.M.
The designation “A.M.” at the end of the Coptic year refers to “Anno Martyrii,” which is Latin for “Year of the Martyrs.” The reason years in the Coptic calendar are called “years of the martyrs” is the fact that the calendar itself starts with the beginning of the terrible persecution of Christians by the Roman emperor Diocletian in the year 284 A.D. When Diocletian came to power, the land of Egypt was under the control of the Roman Empire. Diocletian outlawed Christianity and mercilessly killed those who remained strong in the faith. Some estimate that approximately 800,000 Copts were martyred during his reign. One of the Church Fathers writes, “If the martyrs of the whole world were put on one arm of the balance and the martyrs of Egypt on the other, the balance would tilt in favor of the Egyptians.” In light of this era of persecution, Copts adjusted their calendar to begin with his reign in 284 A.D. This reign was considered a golden era in which the church in Egypt offered true witnesses to Christ as the martyrs were steadfast in their faith.
Although the Copts adjusted their calendar to coincide with the beginning of Diocletian’s reign, the Coptic Calendar is by no means a new addition. It is, in fact, one of the oldest calendars in the world, going back to the ancient Egyptians in 4240 B.C.
The Coptic New Year is also commonly known as Nayrouz.
From September 11 to September 27, the Coptic Church prays and chants in a joyful tune as she announces her gladness along with the martyrs who suffered and bore the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, what many would consider a source of sadness–the martyrdom of so many people–is considered a source of joy in the church, since the martyrs received crowns of glory in the Kingdom of Heaven.
In her rites, the church uses special hymns for the Verses of the Cymbals, Doxology, Psalm Response, Gospel Response, Acts Response, Aspasmosat, and Psalm 150. In addition, for the Vespers and Midnight Praises services, there are special Psalis Watos and Adam for this period.
| Doxology for the Coptic New Year.mp3 | 2.8 MB |