Abu Serga Church, dating back to the 4th century AD, is one of Egypt's oldest Christian sites, dedicated to Saints Sergius and Bacchus. Located in Coptic Cairo, it holds historical significance due to its connection with the Holy Family. Despite damage from the 8th-century Fustat fire, the church was restored, maintaining its basilica-style architecture, icons, and sacred crypt. It remains an important pilgrimage site, hosting events like the Feast of the Holy Family, making it a must-visit for those interested in Egypt’s Christian heritage.
Abu Serga Church, a.k.a Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church, is one of the oldest churches in the history of Egypt. It was built in the 5th or the 8th century, as some historians disagreed about the exact time of the construction in the center of an ancient Roman fort of Babylon.
The church was built to honor two saints; the first was an Egyptian by the name of "Sergius" who died of intense Christian persecution, and the second was a servant to the Roman emperor "Maximilian" that martyred in Syria at the beginning of the 4th century whose name was also "Sergius".
It is also believed that the place was one of the places visited by the holy family during their escape from "King Herod". The church was burned during the fire of Fustat in the reign of Marwan the second around 750 AD. Abu Serga Church was rebuilt and restored many times throughout medieval times.
The church has a shape of a basilica with a narthex and contains a nave and two aisles that are separated from the nave by 12 columns with Corinthian capitals. It holds three sanctuaries in which each one holds an altar, and each altar has a dome that holds religious scenes of Christ, Angels, and four evangelists. The central sanctuary has a wooden screen that dates back to the 13th century, plus several majestic icons and a frieze of Abu Serga dating to the 15th and 16th centuries.
Abu Serga also contains a pulpit on the northeast side of the nave, made of marvelous marble and encrusted with panels of enchanting ebony and ivory. One of the most important attractions within the church is the cave where the holy family hid during their journey through Egypt. The cave contains a nave, two aisles, a domed ceiling, and a baptistery. On the first of June, each year, the Christian community celebrates the arrival of the holy family in the cave of the church of St. Sergio.
The Abu Serga Church, officially known as the Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church, is found in the core of Old Cairo, which is famous for its rich religious heritage and historical significance. In the area of Coptic Cairo, the church is surrounded by other prominent religious sites, including the Hanging Church and the Ben Ezra Synagogue.
This area, traditionally referred to as the Coptic Quarter, holds some of the oldest Christian monuments in Egypt, attracting countless visitors for both its historical resonance and architectural beauty. Access to the church is relatively easy; visitors can book with a travel agency and enjoy the most ideal transportation to fully explore the spiritual landmarks of Cairo.
Abu Serga Church is revered not only for its beauty but also for its profound significance in Coptic Christian history. It dates back to the 4th century, which is dedicated to Saints Sergius and Bacchus, two Roman soldiers martyred for their Christian faith during the reign of Emperor Maximian. The church is said to have been constructed on the site where the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus sought refuge during their journey into Egypt to escape King Herod's persecution.
This connection to the Holy Family imbues Abu Serga Church with a deep spiritual significance, and tradition holds that the Holy Family may have even resided there for a time while Joseph worked in the nearby Babylon Fortress.
Abu Serga Church has played an essential role in the development of the Coptic Church. The church served as a place of worship, pilgrimage, and consecration for many Coptic patriarchs. Several patriarchs were elected within its walls, the first being Patriarch Isaac in the late 7th century. As the episcopal church of Cairo, Abu Serga was central to the ecclesiastical hierarchy of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Its significance endured through the centuries, even as power shifted from Alexandria to Cairo during the Arab invasion of Egypt, leading to Pope Christodolos’s relocation of the papal seat to Cairo in the 11th century.
The church’s historical resilience is an example of its importance within Egyptian heritage. Despite sustaining damage during the fire of Fustat in the 8th century and undergoing numerous restorations in medieval times, the church still retains elements of early Coptic architectural styles and icons, preserving a vital link to its origins.
The Abu Serga Church was built in the 4th century, with its construction likely completed in the 5th century. As one of the oldest Coptic churches, it remains an exemplary model of early Christian basilica-style architecture, reflecting influences from Byzantine design traditions. The church's layout includes a central nave flanked by aisles, a wooden ceiling, and intricate icons.
One of the church’s most significant features is its crypt, believed to be the resting place of the Holy Family. This sacred crypt lies about 10 meters deep and is prone to flooding when Nile levels rise. Despite the environmental challenges, the crypt has become an enduring symbol of the Holy Family's refuge in Egypt, drawing pilgrims from around the world.
Abu Serga is home to some of the oldest Coptic icons, including a collection that dates back to the early Christian period, found along the southern wall of the church. These icons provide insight into early Coptic artistry and religious symbolism, and they are among the church’s most prized and revered artifacts.
The church was a traditional site for the consecration of Coptic bishops and patriarchs until the 11th century. An important historical event during the 11th century saw a shift in power to the nearby Hanging Church, leading to some tension as the papal seat was permanently moved to Cairo. Despite this, Abu Serga remains a respected site of religious and historical importance.
Given its age, the church has undergone various restorations over the centuries. The first major restoration followed the fire of Fustat in 750, and subsequent repairs have preserved its architecture and historical elements. Today, Abu Serga Church stands as a restored yet authentic representation of Coptic heritage.
Abu Serga Church remains active today, hosting religious ceremonies, services, and festivals. It’s also a popular pilgrimage site, especially during the Feast of the Holy Family, where believers gather to commemorate the flight into Egypt. The church is a powerful reminder of Egypt’s religious diversity and enduring Christian heritage.
Abu Serga church is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Cairo, so you can check our Cairo day tours, and if you are already in Cairo, then you can enjoy a tour of the church with an Egyptologist tour guide. You can also check our wide variety of Egypt private tours and Nile cruises to enjoy everything Egypt has to offer, from the Pyramids, Churches, temples, and tombs to even the heavenly atmosphere of the Red Sea resorts like Hurghada.
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The entire country of Egypt deserve to be explored with its every heavenly detail but there are places that must be seen before any other such as the breathtaking Hurghada's red sea, The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza, the great sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the wonders of Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Hatshepsut temple and the wonders of Aswan such as Abu Simbel temples, Philea temple, Unfinished obelisk and The Wonders of Alexandria like Qaitbat Citadel, Pompey's Pillar and Alexandria Library. Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt.
If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries, have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD in cash, as for the E-Visa for 30 day you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could also be one of the lucky ones who can obtain a free visa for 90 days. Read more about Egypt travel visa.
Egypt has a variety of delicious cuisines but we recommend “Ful & Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)”, Mulukhiya, “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian pasta dish, and Kebab & Kofta, the Egyptian traditional meat dish.
The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made.
You should pack everything you could ever need in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
We have been creating the finest vacations for more than 20 years around the most majestic destinations in Egypt. Our staff consists of the best operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort to make you have the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time consultants to fit your every possible need during your vacation. It doesn't go without saying that your safety and comfort are our main priority and all of our resources will be directed to provide the finest atmosphere until you return home.
You will feel safe in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is quite peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt. Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt.
Wear whatever feels right and comfortable. It is advised to wear something light and comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the terrain of Egypt. Put on sun block during your time in Egypt in the summer to protect yourself from the sun.
The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies.
There are a lot of public holidays in Egypt too many to count either religious or nation, the most important festivals are the holy month of Ramadan which ends with Eid Al Fitr, Christmas and new years eve. Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt.
Egypt is considered to be one of the most liberal Islamic countries but it has become a little bit conservative in the last couple of decades so it is advised to avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees.
Arabic is the official language and Most Egyptians, who live in the cities, speak or understand English or at least some English words or phrases. Fewer Egyptians can speak French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Professional tour guides, who work in the tourism sector, are equipped to handle visitors who cannot speak Arabic and they will speak enough English and other languages to fulfill the needs of all our clients.
The fastest way is a car, of course, a taxi. If you are in Cairo ride a white taxi to move faster or you could board the fastest way of transportation in Egypt metro if the roads are in rush hour.
The temperature in Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c. Summer in Egypt is somehow hot but sometimes it becomes cold at night and winter is cool and mild. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and the average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime. The temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
It is the home of everything a traveler might be looking for from amazing historical sites dating to more than 4000 years to enchanting city resorts & beaches. You will live the vacation you deserve as Egypt has everything you could possibly imagine.
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