In pics: Muslims and Christians celebrate feast of Virgin Mary

CAIRO - 22 August 2017: Many Christians celebrate the closing ceremonies of the festival of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in churches across Egypt by upholding special traditions passed down from generation to generation.

The 15- day-festival known as Mulid Al-Adra or ‘the Feast of the Virgin,’ which takes place every year in August, is well known in the public sphere in Egypt celebrated by Orthodox Christians and many other denominations worldwide, who believe that Virgin Mary was bodily taken up into heaven at the end of her life.


The Feast of the Virgin Mary- YouTube

The ceremony features ecclesiastical rituals and popular festivals, with Coptic churches across Egypt remaining open to congregants all day performing mass, choir performances and divine blessings.


Coptic churches across Egypt remain open to congregants in the Feast-File Photo

It usually begins with praying; then, deacons carry a large icon of the Virgin Mary and candles to move around the church and children in the white ministers’ clothing walk in the front.


deacons carry a large icon of the Virgin Mary moving around church - Facebook Page

Muslims and Christians celebrate the feast by setting up tents where peddlers sell their goods and children line up for their turn to get crosses tattooed and decorate their bodies with other religious symbols and figures.


Tents where peddlers sell their goods - File Photo

Some people usually visit the famous Virgin monasteries such as the monastery of the Virgin Mary at Mount Dronka, Assiut where they offer animal sacrifices.

The Security Forces and Armed Forces intensified the security measures during the closing ceremonies of the festival of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in all churches across Egypt by setting up electronic entrances.