Published on 22 January 2021
Director (CREID)
On 19th January every year, at the stroke of midnight, thousands of Coptic Christians in Egypt jump into the river Nile or water canals nearby. Once in the water, they dunk themselves three times to commemorate the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan. The celebrations are commonly known in Egypt as
Eid el Ghettas (the feast of immersion, more commonly known in the West as Epiphany).
Cross made from sugar cane sticks with candles, fruit and vegetables, part of the Coptic Eid El Ghettas festivities. Credit: Peter Lofty
The practice of immersion in the water on