The Holy family passed by more than 20 cities on their way through Sinai ;Gaza,Al-Arish and AL-farama to the east. To Skha 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-Rish and 37 Km to the ancient town of EL-Flusiat presently know as AL-zarnik reserve .three ancient churches, dating back to the fifth century have been recently discovered in this area ,where excavation are still going on.
The Holy family continued their journey along the coastal road to EL-Farma which was in the past the forefront city on the old boarders of Egypt ,surrounded by high walls then they moved to Tal Basta where The Christ felt thirsty there upon a spring of water burst out in the area where from he drank. They left Tal Basta to Samanood then called Menit Nagah where they were welcomed warmly . 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 Elshikh there the Christ set his foot on 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 ''many of 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 .EL-Baramos monastery EL-Serian ABU Maqar and the most famous of monastery Anba Bishoy 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 ancient Egypt recently at sakara they found the remains of Anb Armia's monastery beside the Pyramid of king Onas.
At Samalout ,Menia governorate. The holy family crossed The Nile where they visited AL-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 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. |