The Egyptian
Church in coordination with Ministry of Tourism
identified 22 areas that represent the Holy Family
drive in Egypt. This decision was taken to start
developing and beautifying these areas in
preparation for the world celebration in which
major European tourist companies are to
participate in the year 2000.
These areas include El-Zaranik and Al-Farma
natural preserves in Sinai, in addition to Tal
Basta, Samanoud, Sakara, Natroun Valley, Garnous
Monastry in Magaga, Bahnasa, Birds Mountain (Samalout),
Ain Shams, Old Egypt and Zaitoun. It is decided,
however, that Egyptian Church coordinates with a
number of other organs with a view to taking all
measures required to facilitate visits to be paid
by tourist groups.
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The beginning of
June (24 Bashance in the Coptic calendar) marks
the anniversary of the Holy Family's historical
journey through Egypt.
The journey was started by the Holy Family,
including Joseph the carpenter, the Virgin Mary
and her Child; the Christ, in fulfillment of the
Divine Order to leave Palestine for Egypt, the
land of safety and security. According to Matthew,
"Now when they had departed, behold an angel of
the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said
'Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to
Egypt, and remain there until I tell you.' Matthew
2- 13.
The Holy Family passed by me than 20 cities on
their way through Sinai, Gaza, Al-Arish and Al-Farama
to the east, to Sakha in the west, and Assuit in
Upper Egypt.
The journey started when the Holy Family moved
from Bethlehem to Gaza where they took the old
coastal road to Al-Arish and 37 km west of Al-Arish
to the ancient town of El-Flusiat presently known
as Al-Zaranik reserve. Three ancient churches,
dating back to the fifth or the sixth century have
been recently discovered in this area, where
excavations are still going on.
The Family continued their journey along the
coastal road to El-Farama, which was in the past
the Forefront City on the old borders of Egypt,
surrounded by high walls. Then, they moved to Tal
Basta where the Christ felt thirsty. Thereupon, a
spring of water burst out in the area wherefrom he
drank. They left Tal Basta to Samanood, then
called Meniat Nagah where they were warmly
welcomed. In return, the Christ blessed them and
said to his mother the Virgin Mary, "There will be
in this place a church that will be named after
you."
The remains of this ancient church are under the
existing church now known as the Virgin and the
Martyr Abanoob Church.
The Holy Family moved from Samanood to Sakha in
the middle of Delta, near Kafr El-Sheikh. There,
the Christ set his foot on a stone and the print
appeared on it. The stone showed traces of oil
used for treatment. Then, the Holy Family visited
the area of Saint Demiana monastery.
From Sakha to Natroun valley where the Christ
blessed the area and said to his mother the Virgin
Mary: "Many of the virginal monks who, like you,
worship the Lord as angels, will live in this
desert and adore God as angels do." There, the
well-known monasteries of Natroun valley were
established, i.e. El-Baramos, El-Serian, Abu
Maqqar and the most famous monastery Anba Bishowy
monastery where the papal headquarter of the Copts
is based.
The Holy Family proceeded towards Upper Egypt.
According to the ancient Greek manuscripts, the
Holy Family passed by Memphis the ancient capital
of Egypt. Recently, the remains of Anba Armia's
monastery have been discovered beside the pyramid
of Onas in Saqqara area. Moses monuments occupy
most of the Coptic museum halls.
At Samalout, Menia Governorate, the Holy Family
crossed the Nile where they visited AI-Tair area,
famous for its caves, and settled in one of these
caves that exist now in the existing church lying
on the mountain. This church contains many Coptic
monuments around the entrance and the upper floor.
According to Coptic history, the Christ's palm
print appears on a part of the mountain. It is
said that as the mountain was about to fall down
on the Holy Family, the Christ stretched out his
hand to keep it from falling, leaving there his
palm print. That was why it was called the Palm
Mountain.
The Ashmons was one of the famous episcopates in
Upper Egypt, where the greatest cross-shaped
basilicas were found. It is said that at the town
center there were high pillars on top of which
there was a cock that crows each time a stranger
entered the town. The Family stayed in the area of
Al-Moharraq monastery built in the fourth century
AD for sixth months and ten days. That was the
longest period that the Holy family spent in one
place in Egypt.
That monastery was called Al-Moharraq because
water did not reach it in view of its height. In
this place the Holy Family received the Divine
Command to return back to Palestine.
On the way back to Palestine, the Holy Family
arrived in Assuit and the area of Drunka Mountain,
where they took a boat to Memphis. In the Nile
water at this spot, a Bible was found open on a
verse saying: "God Bless the People of Egypt".
The church of the two Martyrs Sergius and Wadhi is
considered one of the most important places of
Ancient Egypt visited by the Holy Family.
According to ancient history, the cave under the
altar dates back to the visit. There are many
icons and ancient Coptic monumental wood in this
church.
While the Holy Family was passing by the Oon
temple in Ain Shams, (Cairo) according to the
Coptic tradition, the idols fell down there and
nothing remains of the sun-worship Oon temple but
the famous Ain Shams obelisk. "The Tree of the
Virgin" at Matariya where the Holy Family visited
and stayed under its shadow, still survives as one
of the most important historical places in Cairo.
The historical journey of the Holy Family lasted
for more than three years and a half. Jesus Christ
came to the land of Egypt in fulfillment of a
Divine Command waiting to honour his message. He
blessed the land and drank from the water of the
Nile. Every year the Coptic Church celebrates the
anniversary of this journey and the Christ's
arrival to Egypt. |