Synaxarium

On this day, the righteous Haggai the Prophet departed. This pious man was descended from Aaron the priest of the tribe of Levi. He was one of the twelve minor prophets. When King Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem and took the people into Babylonian captivity, the parents of this prophet were among them, and God granted them a son there. He returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel the governor, son of Shealtiel, and the rest of the people. He prophesied in the second year of King Darius of Persia, who reigned in the year 3484 since the creation of the world, that is, fifteen years after the return of the Israelites from Babylonian captivity. This prophet directed his prophecy by God's command to Zerubbabel and then to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, urging the Jews to complete the rebuilding of Solomon's temple, which they had begun after returning from captivity but then abandoned to build houses for themselves. The prophet lamented their dwelling in decorated houses while the house of God lay in ruins. He warned them that if they did not care for and build the house of God properly, the Lord would cut off their provisions and reduce the blessing on their trade. The righteous people heeded his words, feared the Lord's threat, and built the house as required. After its completion, the prophet announced to the people that the Lord was pleased with it. This prophet lived more than seventy years and preceded the coming of the Lord Jesus by four hundred and thirty years. He departed peacefully and was buried in the priests' tomb in Jerusalem. May his prayers be with us, and to our Lord be glory forever and ever. Amen.

On this day, we commemorate the martyrdom of Saint Elijah, Bishop of the Monastery of Al-Mahraq in Qusiya. May his prayers be with us, and to our Lord be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Nativity Season

In the winter months, the regions overlooking the Mediterranean Sea experience the phenomenon of cyclonic low-pressure systems that characterize the climatic conditions of the Mediterranean region and are known in Alexandria as "Al-Nawaat."

Al-Nawaat:

These are atmospheric disturbances that produce a circular or oval air vortex with low pressure in the center surrounded by high pressure. Winds spiral inward toward the low-pressure center in a counterclockwise direction, sometimes resulting in storms or cyclones.

Storms and Cyclones:

They form when cold air masses meet warm air masses, causing the cold air to wrap around the warm air, creating a low-pressure system. Winds blow from west to east at speeds of 45 to 60 km/h. This causes climatic instability, increased wind speed, heavy rainfall, and a sharp drop in temperature. In severe cases, they can uproot trees or cause seawater to flood coastal areas. Tropical storms in the Arabian Sea are called cyclones, in the South China Sea typhoons, in the Caribbean hurricanes, in central United States tornadoes, and in eastern Australia Willy-Willys.