St. Virgin Mary Church in Maadi, located on the Nile's eastern bank south of Cairo, is a historic Coptic site dating back to the 10th century. Believed to mark the Holy Family's departure point to Upper Egypt, it features Coptic-Byzantine architecture with three domes and saintly relics. A 1976 miracle, where a Bible was found floating in the Nile, further elevated its spiritual significance. Today, the church remains a revered pilgrimage destination deeply rooted in Egypt’s Christian heritage.
St. Virgin Mary Church in Maadi is one of Egypt’s most revered and historically significant Coptic sites. There are several incredible churches named after the Virgin Mary, but the one we have today is located on the eastern bank of the Nile, just south of Cairo’s downtown.
This church has deep connections to both Egypt’s Christian heritage and the Holy Family’s journey through Egypt. The church is renowned not only for its ancient origins but also for miraculous events said to have occurred there, making it a focal point for religious pilgrimage and spiritual reflection.
St. Virgin Mary Church is situated in Maadi, a district approximately 13 km south of Cairo’s city center. The area’s name, "Maadi," translates to "The Crossing Point," symbolizing the spot where the Holy Family is believed to have begun their journey to Upper Egypt by boat. The church is positioned on the east bank of the Nile River, where it blends the ancient and the modern. While now surrounded by urban developments, the church’s serene environment and proximity to the river have maintained its spiritual ambiance.
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The church’s origins trace back to around the 10th century AD, making it one of the oldest Christian landmarks in Egypt, only second to the grand hanging church. Initially known by various names, including Meniet El Sudan and El Martouti, St. Virgin Mary Church has evolved through the centuries, withstanding challenges like destruction in 1321.
After its reconstruction, it became a key location for Coptic Orthodox worship. The church is also intertwined with Egypt’s biblical history, as it is believed to be the place where the Holy Family of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and Joseph began their journey southward toward Upper Egypt by boat. The church's long history and religious significance have made it a cornerstone of Coptic Christianity in Egypt.
The architecture of St. Virgin Mary Church in Maadi reflects a blend of traditional Coptic and Byzantine influences. One of its most striking features is the presence of three magnificent domes, each positioned above the three eastern altars. These domes are a defining characteristic of Coptic church design, symbolizing the Holy Trinity. The entrance of the church leads through a corridor that opens up to the nave.
The interior is rich with ancient carvings and religious iconography, including a depiction of the ancient "wall of water" and an intricately decorated altar screen. The church houses many relics of saints, carefully preserved in four caskets within its chapel. Another key feature of the church is the display of an original copy of the Holy Bible, believed to have been miraculously found floating on the Nile.
This Bible is displayed behind glass in a sanctuary for visitors to observe. In addition to the main prayer halls, the church also contains several significant chambers. These include the Baptistery, used for sacred rituals, an ancient tunnel, and steps that are believed to have been used by the Virgin Mary and her son during their journey. The architectural layout of these elements enhances the spiritual journey for visitors as they explore the holy site.
St. Virgin Mary Church is considered a sacred place in Egypt’s Christian tradition, holding particular importance to the Coptic Orthodox Church. It is believed that on March 12, 1976, a miraculous event occurred here when a holy book, carried by the Nile River, was found open to a verse from the Book of Isaiah, stating, “Blessed be Egypt, my people.”
This event further solidified the church’s standing as a place of divine intervention. The relics of saints, preserved in caskets, and the miraculous Bible are some of the main religious attractions. These artifacts, along with the church’s long history, have made it a pilgrimage destination for Copts and Christians worldwide.
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The most famous appearance of the Virgin Mary in Egypt occurred at the Church of the Virgin Mary in Zeitoun, Cairo. Between 1968 and 1971, numerous reports of apparitions of the Virgin Mary were documented by witnesses, drawing thousands of visitors to the site. These apparitions were recognized by the Coptic Orthodox Church, adding to Egypt's reputation as a place of Marian devotion.
St. Mary of Egypt is a revered figure in Christian tradition, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox Church. She was a repentant sinner who spent most of her life in the desert, dedicating herself to prayer and penitence after experiencing a profound conversion. Her life story highlights themes of redemption and spiritual transformation. While her life and significance are distinct from the Virgin Mary, she remains an important saint, and her feast day is celebrated on April 1st in the Orthodox tradition.
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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