Drops, Festival of The

Drops, Festival Of The a ceremony observed by the Copts on June 12, annually, because on that day the drops of dew fall which are believed to lead to the rise of the Nile. As soon as this dew has, fallen, the water begins to be corrupt, and assumes a greenish color, which increases more and more till the river appears as a lake covered over with moss. This lasts from twenty to, forty days. As soon as the green color is gone, the river becomes red and very muddy. The Copts called the drops of dew the benediction of heaven, and believed that the Almighty sent down Michael the archangel to infuse these sacred drops into the Nile that it might begin to rise, and at length irrigate and fertilize their country. SEE NILE; SEE NILUS.