2022 ATTRACTIONS
Thanks to the generous support of our community sponsors, the 2022 Milton Coptic Festival will feature the following activities throughout the day:
- Pony Rides
- Water and splash activities
- Bouncing castles
- Face painting
- Food vendors
- Coptic heritage stations
The Copts
The Coptic Orthodox Church is considered one of the oldest Christian churches in the world, established in Alexandria, Egypt, by the apostle St. Mark the Evangelist around 42 A.D. The Church derives its name from the first Christians in Egypt, who spoke the Egyptian Coptic language.
While founded in Egypt, the Coptic Church has a worldwide following today. It belongs to the Oriental Orthodox family of Churches, a distinct Christian body following the Council of Chalcedon in 451 A.D, during which the Coptic Church maintained its doctrine pertaining to the nature of Christ. This position differed from that adopted by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. The Coptic Orthodox Church principally believes that the Bible is the inspired word of God, to be followed according to the interpretation of the early church fathers.
Abanoub of Nehisa
Abanoub was born in the town of Nehisa in the Nile Delta of Egypt. He was the only son of parents who raised him in the fear of God.
At age twelve, Abanoub entered the church to hear the priest asking the congregation to remain faithful during the persecutions provoked by Diocletian, the Roman Emperor. Abanoub received the Holy Sacraments, then he prayed to God to guide him to where he could confess his faith in Jesus Christ. He returned to his house, gave away all his possessions to the poor, and set off to the city of Samanoud on foot to declare his faith. Along the way, Archangel Michael appeared to him, strengthening him ahead of the suffering he would face because of his witness to Christ.
Abanoub was tortured in various forms wherever he was sent. Yet, in every occasion, the power of Christ prevailed in him being saved and healed. In one instance, Abanoub was thrown in a cell with several poisonous snakes, but the Lord heard his prayers, and the snakes were tamed in the same manner as the lions with Daniel in the Bible.
Abanoub was ultimately beheaded because of his strong faith and love to Christ, receiving the crown of martyrdom at the age of 12. The Coptic Church commemorates his martyrdom annually on July 31st.