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Tourist
Spots and Museums in Egypt
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Churches in Egypt |
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Church of Abu Serga (Church of St. Sergius)
Dedicated to Sergius and Bacchus , the two martyrs
who died at the beginning of the 4th century , this
basilica church was built in the early 5th century
over the cave where the Holy Family stayed. The nave
is flanked by two aisles . In the East sanctuary
there are three altars and the South wall shows
priceless icons . The cave and its well attract many
visitors .
Church of El-Adra
Church of the Virgin
The church of El-Adra (The Virgin) is a basilica
church. Built in the 8th century, it has three
haykals ( altars ), wooden aisles inlaid with ivory
and a number of rare icons .
Church of Mar Mena
Located at Fumm El-Khalig ( mouth of the canal )
near Old Cairo , the church was built in the 6th
century. and named after St.Menas , one of the most
benevolent saints of the Coptic Church .
Coptic Cathedral of Mar Morcos
Newly built in the district of Abbassia , it is the
largest cathedral in Africa and is considered a
unique example of architectural evolution . The
remains of St. Mark the Evangelist were transferred
to the cathedral since he was the first to preach
Christianity in Egypt .
Al – Mu’allaqah Church (The Hanging or Church of
the Virgin)
Built in the 5thC.,this basilica church was so
called because it rests on top of the Southern gate
of the fortress of Babylon. s.
Inside there is an open court, bordered by two wings
and a corridor that are separated by marble pulpit
with a beautiful terrace. On the south there is a
number of magnificent icon
Church of St. Barbarah
Built in the 5th century. to commemorate the memory
of a Christian martyr , it lies in the East section
of the fortress of Barbarah. It is of basilica
design , with finely decorated aisles . It was
rebuilt in the 10th century. but has retained its
wooden door which constitutes an example of fine art
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El-Adra Church, Maadi (Virgin Mary's Church)
The stone steps leading down to the river’s bank ,
and believed to have been used by the Holy Family
are accessible to pilgrims through the church's
courtyard . An event of miraculous nature occurred
on Friday the 3rd of the Coptic month of Baramhat –
the 12th of March 1976 . A holy Bible of unknown
provenance was carried by the lapping ripples of the
Nile to the bank below the church . It was open to
the page of Isaiah 19 : 25 the page declaring, “
Blessed be Egypt my people ” . The Bible is now
behind glass in the sanctuary of the Virgin in the
church for all to see .
Church of Mar Girguis (Church of St. George)
It stands on the ruins of an ancient church . It is
of basilica design with three domes and a hall known
as the Hall of Nuptials dating back to the 13th
century .
It was built on one of the towers of the Fortress of
Babylon. It is round in structure with a domed roof.
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Monasteries
in Egypt |
Deir Qaddis Antonius (Monastery of St. Anthony)
In the foothills of Gallalah El–Qibliyyah mountain,
it was founded in the 4th century and dedicated to
the godfather of priesthood St. Anthony , one of the
earliest hermits who sought refuge there until his
death .
The Monastery houses five churches and a library
with 1562 books, 1438 of which are in manuscript
form .
Monasteries of Wadi El–Natroun (Valley of Natron)
in the Western Desert
There are four great monasteries here : Deir El-Baramus
(Monasterty of the Romans) , Deir El-Anba Bishay
(Monastery of St. Pschoi) , Deir Abu Maqar
(Monastery of St. Marcius) and Deir El-Suryan
(Monastery of the Syrians) . Founded in the 9th C.,
Deir Al - Suryan is the oldest and houses three
churches.
Deir Al – Muharraq (Monastery of El-Muharraq)
Situated in the town of Nazali South in Upper Egypt
, the monastery was founded in the 4 th century on
the site traditionally known to be visited by the
Holy Family during their flight into Egypt . It's
the site of the earliest church in Egypt , the
church of Al Adra ( The Virgin ), which has a
magnificent painting depicting the Virgin and her
Child .
Deir Saint Katarin (Monastery of St. Catherine)
Founded in the early 6 th century on the foothills
of Mussa mountain ( Mount Moses ), it is surrounded
by a garden in the midst of which stands a church
and a mosque .The mosque dates back to the time of
the Fatimid Caliph Al-Amir Al-Hakem Bi-Amr Allah in
1106 ( 500 H ). The church is a basilica with a
gable roof . Separating the central nave from the
side aisles are two rows of granite pillars.
The Monastery has a library containing a magnificent
collection of 2600 manuscripts . Next to the library
is the museum which hosts the most precious objects
, offered as gifts to the monastery by the kings and
rulers of the Christian World , such as gold crowns
inlaid with precious stones and crosses .
Deir El – Anba Hadra (Monastery of Abu Hadra)
The Monastery, known as Deir El-Qaddis Samaan
(Monastery of St. Simeon ) is situated on the West
bank of the Nile in Aswan. The foundation was
dedicated to Anba Hadra, a prominent monk who was
eventually ordained bishop in the 4 th century
Deir Anba Bula (Monastery of St. Paul)
Founded in the 4 th century in the shape of a fort
among the high hills near the Red Sea , it houses
four churches and a library of 764 manuscripts . St.
Paul is known to be the earliest hermit.
Deir Al- Abyad (The White Monastery)
Built in the 5 th century near the city of Sohag in
Upper Egypt , it is dedicated to Anba Shenudah (St.
Shenute) , one of the most prominent figures in the
history of the Coptic church. The monastery
resembles an ancient Egyptian temple in appearance
only.
The Holy Family in Egypt
“ Rejoice , oh Egypt , oh people of Egypt and all ye
children of Egypt who live within its borders ,
rejoice and lift up your hearts , for the lover of
all mankind , he who has been before the beginning
of ages , has come to you”.
" ... behold , an angel of the Lord appeared to
Joseph in a dream , saying , A rise , take the young
Child and His mother , flee to Egypt , and stay
there until I bring you word , for Herod will seek
the young Child to destroy Him " . Matthew (2 : 13).
Joseph complied , and so they set out from Bethlehem
in an arduous Journey. In their escape they had to
pursue unknown paths , guided by God and His Angel.
They picked their wa, day after day, through hidden
valleys and across the rugged wastelands of Sinai.
The Holy Family in Egypt
Proceeding from Bethlehem to Gaza and then to El-Zaraniq
( also known as Floussiat ) , about 37 kms West of
El-Arish , the Holy Family took the way along
northern Sinai until Farma ( ancient Pelusium)
midway between El-Arish and present day Port Said
.Thus they reached the last stop in Sinai .
They entered Tel Basta near Zagazig , the main town
of Sharqiah Governorate , about 100 km Northeast of
Cairo . There , Jesus caused a water spring to well
up from the ground .His presence caused the idols to
crumble, consequently the townsfolk became to be
malevolent and aggressive , whereupon the Holy
Family headed southwards
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