Egyptian Cultural Festival 2026
With hearts overflowing with joy, gratitude and thanksgiving to our Lord, our Parish joyfully reflects upon the overwhelming success of our Egyptian Cultural Festival 2026, held over the weekend of 17–18 October 2026.
Our Festival weekend was especially blessed by the presence, on Saturday 17 October, of His Grace Bishop Rewis celebrating the Divine Liturgy, followed by the blessing of His Grace Bishop Aghathon celebrating the Divine Liturgy on Sunday 18 October. Their prayers and fatherly love were a beautiful reminder that, at the heart of every celebration, gathering and service of our Church is our unwavering faith in our Lord.
Through the abundant grace and blessings of God, we were gifted with beautiful weather throughout the weekend, providing the perfect setting for two unforgettable days of fellowship, celebration and unity. Our church grounds were filled joy as visitors from all walks of life, cultures, faiths and backgrounds passed through our gates, experiencing firsthand the genuine hospitality, warmth and love of our beloved congregation.
This year's Festival saw the introduction of exciting new stalls and experiences, alongside our much-loved traditional Egyptian cuisine, cultural displays and activities. Each addition reflected the dedication, creativity and tireless efforts of our parishioners, who worked together with one heart and one purpose to share the beauty of our Egyptian heritage and Coptic Orthodox faith with the wider community.
For more than four decades, our Egyptian Cultural Festival has served as a living bridge between St Mark's Church and the broader community. As we celebrate 35 Years of Faith, Culture & Community since the consecration of our beloved church in Preston, this year's Festival was an especially meaningful reminder of the enduring role our parish plays in bringing people together, building friendships and fostering understanding across our diverse society.
We are delighted to share that this year's Festival achieved a new fundraising record through the efforts of our stalls, an extraordinary accomplishment made possible by the generosity of our visitors and the remarkable dedication of our congregation. These funds will contribute towards the ongoing needs, services and mission of our beloved parish.
Yet, the true success of our Festival cannot, and should never, be measured by a monetary value. Its greatest achievement is found in the love of Christ reflected in every interaction. It is measured by the joy of welcoming strangers as friends, the spirit of unity among our parishioners and the lasting impression of faith and hospitality experienced by all who visited us.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to His Grace Bishop Rewis, for his fatherly love, blessings and continued support. We also sincerely thank our beloved Reverend Fathers from across the Diocese who honoured us with their presence and encouragement, together with the distinguished dignitaries, faith leaders, community representatives and special guests who joined us throughout the weekend, particularly those who attended our Banquet Lunch.
Above all, we express our deepest appreciation to every member of our beloved congregation, whose extraordinary commitment, sacrifices and selfless service made this Festival possible. From those who spent countless hours planning and preparing, to those who cooked, served, cleaned, organised and welcomed our guests, and from our youngest helpers to our most senior parishioners, each contribution was a beautiful testimony to the strength, unity and love that define St Mark's.
Once again, the Lion of St Mark's roared, not merely through the success of an event, but through the unwavering faith, resilience and collective spirit of a congregation united in Christ. Every act of service, every helping hand and every welcoming smile reflected the true image of our Lord and the values upon which our beloved parish was built.
As we conclude another memorable Festival, we do so with hearts filled with gratitude and renewed commitment to continue opening our doors and hearts to the wider community.
To God be all glory, honour and thanksgiving. May He bless and reward every individual who contributed to this beautiful celebration, and may St Mark's Church continue to shine as a beacon of faith, love, hospitality and unity for generations to come!
