The Assembly of a Council in Rome because of the Feast of Theophany and Lent

On this day also a holy council assembled in Rome in the days of Victor, Pope of Rome andAnba Demetrius, Pope of Alexandria . The reason for the assembly of this council was because theChristians used to celebrate the Epiphany, then start 40 days of fasting on the following day andend the fast on the 22nd day of the month of Amshir . After a few days they would fast the Passionweek, then celebrate the honorable feast of the Resurrection .When St . Demetrius the Patriarch was chosen for the Alexandrian throne, God illumined his mindwith divine grace . He studied the church books and interpreted most of them . He formulated thebasis for calculating the days of the fast and the changeable feasts which we celebrate to thepresent time . He sent copies of it to Abba Victor, Patriarch of Rome; Abba Maximus, Patriarch ofAntioch; and Abba Agapius, Bishop of Jerusalem .When Abba Victor received this message he read it and appreciated it very much . He gatheredfourteen of his learned bishops and many of the learned priests . They examined it, accepted it, andspread it in their countries .Since then the holy fast and the feast of Resurrection have been regulated as they are now in ourCoptic Orthodox Church .To our Lord is the Glory forever . Amen