SPSA Church Giving (opens in a new tab)

Questions & Answers

St. Joseph the Carpenter

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › St. Mary and the Saints › St. Joseph the Carpenter

The question

Why does not the Coptic Church mention St. Joseph in the Divine Liturgy? St. Joseph was entrusted by the Lord to be the earthly father of our Savior, and took care of the Virgin Mary in all difficult times.

The answer

I do agree with you that  we don't honor St. Joseph enough. However, we celebrate his departure on the 26th of the month of Epep. He is mentioned in the Synaxarium in several feasts related to our Lord Jesus Christ like the Holy Feast of the Nativity, the Presentation of our Lord Jesus to the Temple etc. There is also a special veneration (Tamgeed) for this great saint.

We see St Joseph in many of our icons in church such as the icons of the Nativity, the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the temple, the Flight to Egypt, the Holy Family in Egypt.

In our Diocese we have now a chapel named after him "St. Joseph the Carpenter" in Tampa, Florida.

May the prayers of this great and holy saint be with us all.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 607 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.