St. Mark Festival is a Coptic Orthodox youth formation program that helps children, youth, young adults, and families grow through shared study, worship, hymns, Coptic language, and spiritual competition. It gives families a structured way to learn the faith together and connects our parish with a wider festival taking place across Coptic Orthodox churches.
What Is St. Mark Festival?
St. Mark Festival began as an initiative of the Coptic Orthodox Church and is now used by churches in many places to help the faithful study the Bible, Church history, dogma, rituals, the lives of the saints, Coptic language, and church hymns. The festival encourages unity because participants across the Church work through common spiritual material and grow together in the same season.
The Southern United States St. Mark Festival site describes the festival as a spiritual competition for all ages, from Kindergarten through graduates and families. Participants prepare using age-based materials and may take part in spiritual, Coptic, and hymns components, depending on the year and registration requirements.
How Families Participate
- Review the official materials for the participant’s grade or age group.
- Use the eBooks, audiobooks, hymns, anthem, and book correction pages posted by St. Mark Festival.
- Watch the festival calendar and registration deadlines carefully.
- Prepare for the spiritual exam first, since it is central to the festival and may be required for other awards.
- Practice hymns and Coptic language steadily rather than waiting until the testing deadline.
2026 Theme
The 2026 St. Mark Festival theme is: “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Families should use the official site for the current year’s eBooks, hymns, audiobook files, anthem, corrections, guidelines, and event schedule.
Official Resources
Because St. Mark Festival materials and deadlines can change during the year, please use the official St. Mark Festival website for the most current information.
At St. Paul
At St. Paul, St. Mark Festival can support Youth Academy and family formation by giving students a clear path for learning, review, memorization, hymns practice, and joyful participation in the life of the Church. Parents are encouraged to help their children prepare gradually, ask servants for local guidance, and use the festival as a way to strengthen prayer, study, and service at home.