Did you know, today the 7th; is the Orthodox Christmas and there is a Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria?

Did you know, today the 7th; is Christmas and there is a Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria?

I didn't see any acknowledgements for this so I wanted to share.

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Coptic_calendar
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coptic_calendar
[link to en.wikipedia.org]

Coptic Christmas:

Coptic Christmas is observed on what the Gregorian Calendar labels the 7th day of January (which is also the date of Christmas in Eastern Orthodox countries such as Russia).

Coptic New year:

The Feast of Neyrouz marks the first day of the Coptic year.
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Its celebration falls on the 1st day of the month of Thout, the first month of the Egyptian year, which for 1901 to 2098 usually coincides with 11 September, except before a Gregorian leap year when it is 12 September. Coptic years are counted from 284, the year Diocletian became Roman Emperor, whose reign was marked by tortures and mass executions of Christians, especially in Egypt. Hence, the Coptic year is identified by the abbreviation A.M. (for Anno Martyrum or "Year of the Martyrs").
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Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_of_the_Coptic_Orthodox_Church_of_A​lexandria
[link to en.wikipedia.org]

After the death of Shenouda III the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church voted, and the names of the three candidates who received most votes were put in a glass chalice for a name to be picked to be the new Patriarch of Alexandria. The name is picked by 'Divine Choice', by a blindfolded boy believed to be guided by the hand of God.

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This is where the draw names comes from, these popes.

List of Coptic Orthodox Popes of Alexandria
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Coptic_Orthodox_Popes_of_Alexan​dria
[link to en.wikipedia.org]

The following is a list of all the Coptic Orthodox Popes of Alexandria who have led the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria and have succeeded the Apostle Mark the Evangelist in the office of Bishop of Alexandria, who founded the Church in the 1st century, and therefore marked the beginning of Christianity in Africa.
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A list of a 118 Popes or Papas follows.

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CBS 60 Minutes - The Coptic Christians of Egypt
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoGLK1ckRXo
[link to www.youtube.com (secure)]


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Why the Orthodox Church Celebrates Christmas on Jan. 7
www.christianpost.com/news/why-the-orthodox-church-celebrates​-christmas-on-jan-7-66615/
[link to www.christianpost.com]

“The majority of the Orthodox churches worldwide use the Julian calendar, created under the reign of Julius Caesar in 45 BC, and have not adopted the Gregorian calendar, proposed by Latin Pope Gregory of Rome in 1582,” said Calin.

There are 13 days in difference between the two calendars, the Gregorian calendar being the one long adopted by Western nations.

“December 25 on the Julian calendar actually falls on January 7 on the Gregorian calendar. So strictly speaking, Christmas is still kept on December 25, which just happens to fall 13 days later on the Julian calendar,” said Calin.
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For Orthodox Christians who have adopted the Gregorian calendar, Christmas falls on Dec. 25 as it does for others, and Jan. 6 marks the Epiphany, a Christian holiday that celebrates the revelation of God the son as a human being in Jesus. For those remaining on the Julian calendar, the Epiphany is celebrated on Jan. 19.

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Thousands of believers gather to celebrate Orthodox Christmas
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm9OmvZjXkM
[link to www.youtube.com (secure)]

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This information isn't shared often.

So every one, have a nice holy day! If only as a recognition of the 1st Sabbath or Holy Day of the year.

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This information probably leaves more questions than answers.

Especially this:

Shape-Shifting Jesus Described in Ancient Egyptian Text
www.livescience.com/27840-shape-shifting-jesus-ancient-text.h​tml
[link to www.livescience.com]

The reason for Judas using a kiss

In the canonical bible the apostle Judas betrays Jesus in exchange for money by using a kiss to identify him leading to Jesus' arrest. This apocryphal tale explains that the reason Judas used a kiss, specifically, is because Jesus had the ability to change shape.

"Then the Jews said to Judas: How shall we arrest him [Jesus], for he does not have a single shape but his appearance changes. Sometimes he is ruddy, sometimes he is white, sometimes he is red, sometimes he is wheat coloured, sometimes he is pallid like ascetics, sometimes he is a youth, sometimes an old man ..." This leads Judas to suggest using a kiss as a means to identify him. If Judas had given the arresters a description of Jesus he could have changed shape. By kissing Jesus Judas tells the people exactly who he is.
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Jesus Was a Shapeshifter
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEpWwS5QOA0
[link to www.youtube.com (secure)]