Cultural calendar
Coptic Calendar 2026 (1742–1743 AM)
The Coptic calendar is used liturgically by the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt. Year numbering starts at the Diocletian persecution of 284 CE (Anno Martyrum), so 2026 CE corresponds to 1742–1743 AM.
Major Coptic feasts in 2026
| Feast | Coptic date | Gregorian (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Coptic Christmas (Nativity) | 29 Kiahk 1742 | Jan 7, 2026 |
| Theophany (Epiphany) | 11 Tobi 1742 | Jan 19, 2026 |
| Annunciation | 29 Baramhat 1742 | Apr 7, 2026 |
| Coptic Easter (Pascha) | movable | Apr 12, 2026 |
| Ascension | 40 days post-Easter | May 21, 2026 |
| Pentecost | 50 days post-Easter | May 31, 2026 |
| Apostles' Fast ends (Sts Peter & Paul) | 5 Abib | Jul 12, 2026 |
| Feast of the Transfiguration | 13 Mesori | Aug 19, 2026 |
| Feast of the Cross | 17 Tut | Sep 27, 2026 |
| Coptic New Year (Nayrouz) | 1 Tut 1743 | Sep 11, 2026 |
The structure of the Coptic year
The Coptic calendar has 13 months: twelve of 30 days plus a 5- or 6-day "small month" (Pi Kogi Enavot) at the end. The year starts in Tut (September 11 in normal years, September 12 before a leap year). Leap years occur every 4 years, aligned with the Julian calendar (one year before each Gregorian leap year).
The Coptic fasting calendar
Coptic Orthodoxy is one of the most fasting-heavy Christian traditions — roughly 210 days of fasting per year. Major periods:
- Great Lent — 55 days before Pascha (Feb 16 – Apr 11, 2026).
- Apostles' Fast — variable length, ending June 28 / July 12, 2026.
- Theotokos Fast — Aug 7–21, 2026.
- Nativity Fast (Advent) — 43 days before Coptic Christmas (Nov 25 – Jan 6, 2026).
- Weekly Wednesday & Friday fasts year-round (except festal seasons).
Anno Martyrum — the "Year of the Martyrs"
The Coptic calendar starts counting from August 29, 284 CE — the year Diocletian became Roman emperor and began his persecution of Christians. The Coptic Church renamed this era to honor martyrs killed during that persecution rather than the emperor himself.