What is Mahragan AlKeraza?
Mahragan AlKeraza is a worldwide event organized by Coptic Orthodox Churches. It is a spiritual growth fellowship opportunity for Coptic youth to come together and compete in spiritual studies, Coptic language, hymns, sports, choir, and drama. Spiritual Studies emphasize the Holy Bible and the history, doctrine, and rites of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Each year’s topics reflect the competition’s theme, and this year’s theme is “The Lord is my Light and my Salvation”
May Christ bless you all! We look forward to seeing you during the Mahragan!
Deadline for Early bird registration: May 31st
Deadline for regular registration: June 15th
“The Lord is my Light and my Salvation” (Psalm 27:1)
Three levels of competitions
- Core spiritual competition (Spiritual (mandatory), Coptic, and Hymns)
- Advanced-level contests (Arts, Photography, Coptic, Calligraphy, Creative Writing, Research, Video Composition, Music Writing and Creation)
- Sports Competition (Soccer, Ping Pong, Volley ball, and Chess).
The Mahragan will be a hybrid this year:
- In the first phase (August 17 – 20), all participating churches will participate in an online preliminary competition (Spiritual, Hymns, and Coptic).
- On August 24, churches participating in Sports will meet at St. Mary, Cooksville, to play against each other.
- On September 7, the top 3 winners in the spiritual, Coptic, and hymns competitions (across each age group) will meet at St. Mary, Cooksville, to compete in person in the final round.
The 2022 Calligraphy Winner (Adults)
The 2022 Calligraphy Winner (High School)
The 2024 Mahragan Competition
Connecting People to Jesus and One Other
Core spiritual competition
(Spiritual (mandatory), Coptic, and Hymns)
Advanced-level contests
(Arts, Photography, Coptic, Calligraphy, Creative Writing, Research, Video Composition, Music Writing and Creation)
Sports Competition
(Soccer, Ping Pong, Volley ball, and Chess)
The Mahragan will be hybrid this year. In the first phase (August 17 – 20), all participating churches will participate in an online preliminary competition (Spiritual, Hymns, and Coptic). On August 24, churches participating in Sports will meet at St. Mary, Cooksville, to play against each other. On September 7, the top 3 winners in the spiritual, Coptic, and hymns competitions (across each age group will meet at St. Mary, Cooksville, to compete in person in the final round.
Our Bishop
A Letter From HG Bishop Karas
Dear beloved,
I am delighted to welcome you to the 2024 Mahragan El-Keraza under our guiding theme, “The Lord is my Light and Salvation” from Psalm 27. This year, we come together to celebrate our faith and the Light of God that guides and protects us.
The Mahragan is a special time for our youth to connect with their faith and each other through competitions that reflect our rich Orthodox heritage. It’s an opportunity for learning, growth, and joy in the Light of Christ.
I encourage our youth to engage fully in this year’s activities, designed to deepen their understanding and relationship with God. To our priests, deacons, and congregation, your support and encouragement for our youth are invaluable.
Let us embrace this time with hope and joy, knowing that God is our light and salvation. May this Mahragan strengthen our faith and unite us in the love of Christ.
In Christ,
Bishop Karas, Bishop of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Delaware
Organizing Church
St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church of Maryland
14196 Frederick Rd
Cooksville, MD 21723
