What first springs to mind when hearing the word “carols” is, naturally, Christmas: snow, angels, shining stars, groups of singers and family gatherings. Broadly defined, carols express religious hope and joy. It is thought that the word “carol” or “carole” is a medieval word of French origin, meaning a circle dance accompanied by singing.
Caroling at Christmas is one of the oldest folk customs today. St. Francis of Assisi was the first to introduce, in the 12th century, the singing of carols at church ceremonies. Since that time, carol services and concerts are held in countries all over the world. One of the most popular types of service is “Carols by Candlelight," where the church is lit only by candle light while the congregation sings, sometimes also holding candles. Christmas carols usually have simple and straightforward rhythms, are often sung or accompanied by a choir, and many traditionally have one or more counter melodies.
If you want to enjoy the Christmas spirit you can gather to carol at:
1) Heliopolis Community Church
Date: Thursday 24 December
Time: 8 PM
2) Maadi Community Church “Carols by Candlelight”
Date: Thursday 24 December
Time: 7 PM and 9 PM
3) St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church – Maadi
Date: Sunday 26 December
Time: 7:30 PM
4) Sawi Cultural Wheel – River Hall
Christmas Concert “Message and Little Princess”
Date: Friday 25 December
Time: 8 PM
5) Sawi Cultural Wheel – Wisdom Hall
Christmas Concert “Osiris”
Date: Monday 28 December
Time: 8 PM
6) El Ghoury Dome
Coptic Carols Band
Date: Monday 21 December
Time: 7 PM
7) Cairo Opera House – Gomhurriya Theatre
Christmas concert- ‘Saint Augustine and the Hymned Heart’
Date: Sunday 20 December
Time: 8 – 10 PM
8) Cairo Opera House – Gomhurriya Theatre
Christmas Concert – el-Resala Troupe
Date: Wednesday 23 December
Time: 8 – 10 PM
9) Cairo Opera House – Gomhurriya Theatre
Christmas Concert – Om el-Nour Choir
Date: Friday 25 December until Sunday 27 December
Time: 8 – 10 PM
10) Cairo Opera House – Small Hall
Christmas Concert – Neveen Allouba
Date: Thursday 24 December
Time: 8 – 10 PM
11) Cairo Opera House – Small Hall
Christmas Concert – Hassan Sharara
Date: Friday 25 December
Time: 8 – 10 PM
12) Cairo Opera House – Small Hall
Christmas Concert – Talents Development Centre
Date: Saturday 26 December
Time: 8 – 10 PM
