Originally published at National Catholic Register
Four months ago, the first Coptic Catholic church in New Jersey and one of the few Coptic Catholic churches in the United States, Jesus the King Church, opened in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. The Register spoke recently with its pastor, Msgr. Malak Saadalla, and his wife, Tassuni Thanaa Saadalla. (Unless otherwise indicated, responses below are from Msgr. Saadalla.)
How do you celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord?
On Jan. 12, we joyfully celebrate the Baptism of the Lord Jesus in the Jordan — a day with spiritual significance and tradition. The celebration begins with the solemn blessing of the water, symbolizing renewal and purification, followed by blessings bestowed upon the congregation. This is followed by a reverent celebration of Divine Liturgy. After the service, we return home to a special meal of taro (colocasia), which is a root vegetable, a dish deeply rooted in our heritage, and conclude with the sweetness of tangerines and sugar cane, a delightful symbolic dessert to mark the occasion.
How was the first Christmas celebration in your new church special for you, Tassuni Thanaa, and your parishioners?
The celebration of the first Christmas in our new church was truly unique and memorable,
