Commemorations
Paremoude 21, 2285
Monthly Commemoration of the Mother of God Saint Mary the Virgin
On this day, we commemorate the pure, virgin, intelligent Lady the Virgin Mary, Mother of God the Word, the merciful Mother of mercy. May her compassionate intercession be with us. Amen.
The Departure of Saint Prothaus, Priest of Athens
On this day, Saint Prothaus the Latin departed. This father was one of the scholars of the city of Athens and met with Saint Paul the Apostle. They had discussions that led him to believe through him, so he baptized him and taught him all the Christian commandments and ordained him a priest over that city. This saint also met Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, who was also a scholar of Athens. This saint attended the departure of the Lady the Virgin and stood among the disciples and comforted them with composed words chanted with musical instruments, leading a group of Jews and Gentiles to the knowledge of the Lord Christ (according to the manuscript of Shebin El-Kom). The people wanted to ordain him bishop, but he refused and said, "I wish I could fulfill the duties of the priesthood." When he completed his good work, he passed to the Lord whom he loved. May his prayer be with us, and to our Lord be glory forever. Amen.
The Fifty-Day Season Nawa, Sham Ennessim: Two Days of Hot Eastern Wind
The Nawa
In the winter months, the coastal areas overlooking the Mediterranean Sea are exposed to the phenomenon of cyclonic atmospheric depressions that characterize the climatic conditions in the Mediterranean region and are known in Alexandria as the Nawa.
The Nawa:
They are atmospheric disturbances that produce a circular or oval air vortex with low pressure in the center surrounded by a high-pressure area, where winds spiral towards the low-pressure center in a counterclockwise direction.
In spring, there are local winds known as the Khamsin, which are hot sandstorms blowing from the south over the Delta. Their cause is the passage of atmospheric depressions coming from the west. The Khamsin depression begins forming over the Siwa Oasis, then moves eastward towards the Delta, intensifying the southern winds that bring sand and dust storms. These winds have harmful effects on plants, especially in the Giza and Qalyubia governorates.
These winds are known in Sudan as the Haboob, in Libya as the Qibli, in Morocco as the Sirocco and Solano, and in the Arabian Peninsula as the Samum.