Tobi (month)

Tobi (Coptic: Ⲧⲱⲃⲓ), also known as Touba, is the fifth month of the Coptic calendar. It lies between January 9 and February 7 of the Gregorian calendar. The month of Tobi is also the first month of the Season of 'Proyet' (Growth and Emergence) in Ancient Egypt, where the Nile floods recede and the crops start to grow throughout the land of Egypt.

The name of the month of Tobi comes from Amso Khem, a form of the Ancient Egyptian God Amun Ra.

Quote

Toubeh, (the ancient Tobi) : the 5th Coptic month. Corn and flax should be cleared from weeds, and land that is to be devoted to cotton, sesame, and summer cucurbita, is prepared until the 1st of Amshir. Land destined for the growth of culcas (colocasia), and sugar, should be inundated. Lands found to be uncultivable should be marked out and declared unproductive, in order that they may be exempt from taxation. The first cutting of sugar cane takes place (hasab er-rcis) -. sufficient being left for seed, viz : — one kirat in every feddan. At the end of the month work in canals and dykes should be taken in hand : and much care should be bestowed upon the repairing of sakhiehs ( water wheels), wells, &c. The Nile water is in its clearest and best state in Toubeh, and cisterns should be now filled in Cairo and all large towns. The flesh of sheep is better now than at any other season. Vegetables, especially carrots, are at their best. Horses and mules should be tethered in bersim, and it is now time for the sale of cattle. S. winds (Siba) are more prevalent than N. (Dabour). Taxes are now collected. There are various popular sayings respecting Toubeh, — e. g. that if rain falls on any of the first eleven days, but especially on the Festival of the Epiphany, it is a certain sign of good crops. The fellah says " Yfra en Nusrani" (the Christian is happy ) and asserts that God is contented with his people, and will reward them with a bounteous harvest. ( El-Makrizi )

Coptic Synaxarium of the month of Tobi

Coptic	Julian	Gregorian	Commemorations
Tobi 1	December 27	January 9	Martyrdom of St. Stephen, the Archdeacon. Martyrdom of St. Leontius.
2	28	10	Departure of St. Theonas, the 16th Pope of Alexandria. Martyrdom of St. Callinicus (Gallinicus), Bishop of Pelusium.
3	29	11	Commemoration of the Slain Children of Bethlehem by the Order of Herod the Great.
4	30	12	Departure of St. John the Evangelist.
5	31	13	Martyrdom of Saint St. Eusignius the Soldier.
6	January 1	14	Commemoration of the Circumcision of the Lord Christ. Ascension of Elijah, the Prophet. Departure of St. Marcianus, the 8th Pope of Alexandria. Departure of St. Basil the Great, Bishop Of Caesarea.
7	2	15	Departure of St. Silvester, Bishop of Rome
8	3	16	Consecration of the Church of St. Macarius Departure of St. Andronicus, the 37th Pope of Alexandria Departure of St. Benjamin, the 38th Pope of Alexandria
9	4	17	Departure of St. Abraam, Companion of St. Gawarga. Departure of Bishop Karas, the 1st Bishop of the United States
10	5	18	Paramouni of Holy Theophany. Departure of St. Demetrius II, the 111th Pope of Alexandria.
11	6	19	Holy Theophany of Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Baptism of the Lord).
12	7	20	Commemoration of Michael, the Archangel. Martyrdom of St. Theodore El-Mishreke (the Oriental). Martyrdom of St. Anatole (Anatolius).
13	8	21	Commemoration of the Miracle at Cana. Departure of St. Theophilus, the Monk. Martyrdom of St. Demiana.
14	9	22	Departure of St. Archiledis (Arselidas). Departure of St. Maximus, Brother of St. Domatius, sons of the Roman Emperor Valentinian I.
15	10	23	Departure of Obadiah, the Prophet.
16	11	24	Martyrdom of St. Philotheus. Departure of St. John IV, the 48th Pope of Alexandria.
17	12	25	Departure of St. Domatius, Brother of St. Maximus, sons of the Roman Emperor Valentinian I. Departure of St. Yusab known as El- Abbah, Bishop of Girga,
18	13	26	Departure of St. James, Bishop of Nisibis.
19	14	27	Discovery of the Relics of St. Abahor (Pihour) St. Bisoura (Pisoura) & their Mother St. Ampira (Asra).
20	15	28	Departure of St. Prochorus, one of the Seventy Disciples. Commemoration of the Consecration of the Church of St. John, the Owner of the Golden Gospel, and the Transfer of His Relics to It. Commemoration of the Martyrdom of St. Behna (Bahnou) and St. Kloag (Bagoug), the Priest.
21	16	29	Commemoration of the Holy Virgin Saint Mary, the Mother of God (Theotokos) Departure of St. Hilaria, Daughter of Emperor Zeno. Departure of St. Gregory of Nyssa, Brother of St. Basil the Great.
22	17	30	Departure of St. Anthony the Great.
23	18	31	Martyrdom of St. Timothy, the Apostle. Departure of St. Cyril IV, the 110th Pope of Alexandria.
24	19	February 1	Departure of St. Mary the Ascetic (The Shut-In). Martyrdom of St. Bisada (Psati), the Priest.
25	20	2	Departure of St. Peter, the Worshipper. Martyrdom of St. Askala (Asela), the Ascetic.
26	21	3	Martyrdom of the Forty-Nine Saints, the Elders of Scetis. Departure of St. Anastasia.
27	22	4	Martyrdom of St. Sarapion. Commemoration of the Sariel, the Archangel. Relocation of the Relics of St. Timothy, the Apostle. Martyrdom of St. Phoebammon (Abu-Fam), the Soldier .
28	23	5	Martyrdom of St. Clement. Martyrdom of St. Anba Kaou.
29	24	6	Departure of St. Eksani (St. Xene). Commemoration of St. Seriakos (Syriacus), the Fighter.
30	25	7	Martyrdom of Sts. Pistis, Helpis, Agape, & their Mother Sophia. Departure of St. Andrews the Samuelite.

Preceded by Koiak

Coptic calendar days: 30 days

Succeeded by Meshir

References

Synaxarium of the month of Touba