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 “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. (2 Timothy 3:14)”
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
Stay Firm
Rooted in the teachings of Christ, we are called to stand strong in our faith, hold fast to what we have learned, and remain steadfast in the truth we have received.
Theme Verse:
“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.”
— 2 Timothy 3:14
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, Volleyball, and Chess).
The Mahragan will be a hybrid this year:
- In the first phase, all participating churches will participate in an online preliminary competition (Spiritual, Hymns, and Coptic).
- On August 16, churches participating in Sports will meet at St. Mary, Cooksville, to play against each other.
- On September 6, 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.
Sample of Calligraphy Winners (Adults)
Sample of Calligraphy Winners
The 2025 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, Volleyball, and Chess
In the first phase, all participating churches will participate in a preliminary competition (Spiritual, Hymns, and Coptic). On August 16, churches participating in Sports will meet at St. Mary, Cooksville, to play against each other. On September 6, 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 blessed to welcome you to the 2025 Mahragan El-Keraza under this year’s powerful and timely theme: “Stay Firm” — inspired by St. Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 3:14, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.”
In a world filled with confusion and shifting values, the Mahragan reminds us of the unshakable foundation of our Orthodox faith. It is not simply a festival of activities but a call to remain steadfast in the truth we have received, to hold firmly to the teachings of the Church, and to live out the faith that was entrusted to us by Christ through the Apostles and our fathers.
This year, I invite every youth, family, servant, and clergy member to embrace this call with seriousness and commitment. The Mahragan is an opportunity to deepen your knowledge, strengthen your faith, and grow in spiritual discipline. It is also a time to build fellowship and unity with one another — standing together as one body, rooted in the truth.
To our youth: You are the future of the Church. I encourage you to take this year’s theme to heart. Stay firm in what you have learned, live what you believe, and shine as witnesses to Christ in the world.
To our beloved clergy, servants, and parents: Your guidance, love, and example are essential in helping our youth stay grounded in the faith. Continue to walk alongside them, encouraging and supporting them to persevere.
May this year’s Mahragan be a time of spiritual renewal, learning, and unity — and may we all stand firm in the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
Bishop Karas
Bishop of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and West VirginiaBishop Karas, Bishop of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Delaware
Organizing Church
St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church of Maryland
14196 Frederick Rd
Cooksville, MD 21723
