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Feasts & Fasts
The seasons, feasts and fasts of the Coptic calendar.
01Christ's Descent into HadesIn Coptic Orthodox teaching, Christ descended into Hades after His death, freeing the righteous and bringing them to paradise; the doctrine is recalled in Easter worship.[^1][^4]02Easter DoxologyThe Easter Doxology celebrates Christ’s descent into Hades, His victory over death, and the joyful deliverance of His elect.[^1]03Holy SaturdayHoly Saturday, also called Great Saturday or the Saturday of Joy, commemorates Christ’s body resting in the tomb and heralds his Resurrection.[^1]04Palm Sunday tuneThe Palm Sunday tune, called al-sha‘anīnī, is a Coptic melody type used on Palm Sunday and feasts of the Cross.[^1]05Resurrection enactmentThe Resurrection enactment is a rite in the Easter night service involving proclamations of Christ’s Resurrection, a dialogue at the closed sanctuary doors, and their opening amid restored light.[^1][^3][^4]