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Coptic Egypt |
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| A cradle for the
Christianity on its earliest rise, Egypt contains Coptic monuments
such as the Hanging Church ... The Christian Monuments
It
was to Egypt that St. Mark, the first Evangelist, came and settled
in Alexandria in the latter half of the first century AD. Since
then, the teachings of Christianity spread in Egypt, leaving
everlasting imprints in the form of churches and monasteries that
are filled with paintings of the saints, testifying to the grandeur,
beauty and mastery of Egyptian Coptic art.
The Coptic period is of special significance , since it constituted
a link between the Graeco – Roman and Islamic periods . With the
dawn of the 7th century AD, Islam was revealed and spread throughout
the Arabian peninsula ,and from there it reached to enlighten the
Nile Valley at the hands of Amr Ibn Al-Aas in 20 H.,640 AD. |
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| The Holy Family in Egypt |
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| " 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 way
, day after day , through hidden valleys and across the rugged
wastelands of Sinai . |
| 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 kms 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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| 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 |
| (
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 . |
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