Sunday, April 12, 2026

Happy Easter 2026 from Egypt and Palestine too

Happy Easter to all those celebrating today—especially Egyptian and Sudanese Coptic Orthodox Christians, as well as Palestinian and Lebanese Orthodox communities.

On this occasion, I’m sharing a photo of the Church of the Martyr St. Philopater Mercurius in Mohandessin, Giza—commonly known as “Abu Sefein,” or “the man of two swords.”

The Martyr St. Philophater Mercurius Church in Mohendessin

I don’t even need to count: Egypt has so many churches and monasteries named after St. Philopater Mercurius that, for a long time, I assumed he was an Egyptian saint. It turns out he was born and lived elsewhere, yet he has long been deeply revered in Egypt. By one account, his relics were brought to the country.

In more modern lore, there’s even a story that he appeared to none other than Mubarak in a dream—sparking rumors that the ousted president became a crypto-Christian, despite the hardships many Egyptian Christians endured during his rule, especially in its final years.

All of this speaks to how popular St. Mercurius—Abu Sefein—remains in Coptic Orthodox tradition to this day.

There are at least three ancient churches and monasteries dedicated to him in Egypt, including one in Old Cairo: the well-known Church of St. Mercurius, which served as the seat of the Coptic Pope for two centuries. According to the Coptic Orthodox Church’s directories and diocesan records, there are around 56 churches nationwide that are either dedicated to him or share his name alongside the Virgin Mary.

In any case, Happy Easter.

And from Palestine, a couple of videos of Christian Palestinians marking Holy Saturday.

It is like a fresh breeze despite all the sad news from Lebanon, Gaza and Iran.

Another celebration from Ramallah.

Also, here are the Catholic Scouts of Jerusalem as they took part in the Holy Fire Saturday celebrations.

And another video for another Catholic Scouts band in Jerusalem, taking part in the celebrations.

And no—I won’t thank the Israeli occupation for “allowing” it. This should happen freely, as it has for centuries.

Happy Easter.

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Location Mohandessin, Giza Governorate, Egypt

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