The Epiphany in Egypt

In Egypt, the Ikhshidid and Fatimite dynasties were the golden age for the Christian festivities. Yet, the Nativity and the Epiphany remain the most marvelous of feasts.

The Epiphany was a national feast, celebrated in Egypt officially and by the public in an exciting manner. It even got to the point that the governor of Egypt, his family and helpers, as well as the members of the government were partaking in it. Decorations were ordered, lights were lit, as well as torches. Celebrations by the public were seen everywhere and food was distributed to the people, as well as alms to the poor. People used to dive in the Nile River as a mean of getting the blessings of this happy occasion.

Al-Maqrizi* says about the Epiphany: "It is celebrated on the 11^th of the month of Tobi. For the Christians, it originated from the time when Yahiya (peace be upon him), known by them as John the Baptist, had baptized the Christ which means washed him in Lake Jordan. When the Christ (peace be upon him) got out of the water, the Holy Spirit came down on him. Therefore, the Christians took to the habit of washing their kids with water on this day and they even dive in it themselves. This is only commemorated during the coldest period of the year and it is called the Immersion and was considered an extremely great season in Egypt".

The Epiphany Feast during the Ikhshidid Dynasty

Egypt was governed by the Romans for nearly seven centuries, before they were replaced by the Turks whose reign lasted for four. At the time when the Ikhshidid* acceded to power, the evening of the Epiphany was a highly acclaimed one. Everybody, whether Muslim or Christian, used to stay awake that night. On the Hijri year 330, Al-Masoudi* spent the Epiphany night in Egypt, as well as the Ikhshidid prince Muhammad Bin-Tafig who spent it in his palace,located at the island of Maniel el-Rawdah. He ordered that decorations should be placed on the eastern side of his palace, facing the Nile River. He had a thousand torches lit, in addition to the torches and candles that the people of Egypt had lit on both sides of the Nile.