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The Nativity Fast
During the Nativity Fast, the church prepares itself to receive the Son of God the Word on earth in the flesh. This is the first continuous fast in the Coptic year, and it is the start of the journey where we live the entire life of Christ. The month of Koiahk is the last four weeks of the Nativity Fast, where the church celebrates a different theme and event each week, leading up to the birth of Christ on the Nativity Feast on the 29th of Koiahk:
Week 1. The Announcement of the Birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias (Luke 1:1-25)
“As Zacharias burns incense in the temple of the Lord, an angel of the Lord appears to him to tell him that he shall have a son.”
Week 2. The Announcement of the birth of Jesus to St. Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
"Gabriel is sent by God to give Mary a special message. She shall bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.”
Week 3. St. Mary’s visit to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56)
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice, she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the Child you will bear!”
Week 4. The birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:57-80)
“Now Elizabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; she brought forth a son.”
https://www.stvnashville.org/nativity-fast
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