Kiahk facts
How many weeks of Kiahk are there?
4
True or false: Is the primary purpose of fasting to abstain from food?
False
Which angel announced the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary?
Archangel Gabriel
What days of the week do we sing the special Kiahk praises?
Wednesday and Saturday
How many days of fasting are in the Nativity Fast?
43
What day in the Coptic calendar does the Feast of Nativity fall on?
29th of Kiahk
What Old Testament object is a symbol of the Virgin Mary and is mentioned in the Kiahk praises?
The Burning Bush (Exodus 3:2), symbolizing St. Mary carrying Christ without being consumed.
Why are there 43 days in the Nativity Fast?
40 days to commemorate the 40 days it took Moses to receive the 10 commandments, and 3 days to commemorate the moving of the Mokatam Mountain
Fill in the blanks:
"For unto us a _______ is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the ________ will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of _______." (Isaiah 9:6)
Child, government, Peace
What title is frequently given to the Virgin Mary in the Kiahk Theotokias?
The Second Heaven, The Golden Censer, The Ladder of Jacob.
Other than fasting from food, what are the other pillars one should partake in during the fast?
1 - Prayer
2 - Repentance and Confession
3 - Almsgiving
What city Jesus born in, and what is its meaning?
Bethlehem; it means "House of Bread," symbolizing Christ as the Bread of Life.
Name each of the 4 Sundays of Kiahk
1 - Annunciation of the birth of St. John the Baptist
2 - Annunciation of the birth of Jesus Christ
3 - Visitation of the Theotokos to St. Elizabeth
4 - Nativity of St. John the Baptist
Give an example of a spiritual canon when one fasts
1 - Prayer (pray 1st and 12th hour with 2 psalms)
2 - Holy Bible (readings of the day)
3 - read a Spiritual Book
4 - Abstaining from food
5 - Prostrations
6 - Liturgies (attend more)
7 - Midnight praise (attend more)
8 - Jesus prayer (as many times as possible for 10 minutes)
What three gifts did the Magi bring, and what do they symbolize?
Gold (kingship), Frankincense (priesthood), and Myrrh (His suffering and burial).