POPULAR COPTIC
SITES IN EGYPT
-----------------------------
The following are some of the most popular Coptic touristic sites in
Egypt.
It is not meant as a complete or exhaustive list of Coptic sites. Such
a
list is far beyond what could be described in a single file.
1. The western desert (Wadi ElNatroun)
-----------------------------------
Monastery of St. Maccarius in the western desert (almost
half-way
between Cairo and Alexandria) is the most important
site
(historically) in the western desert. Other Monasteries
(few
kilometers away from St Maccarius) include St. Mary's
Monastery
(better known as the Monastery of ElBaramous), St. Mary and
St.
Yehnis Kama's Monastery (better known as the Syrian Monastery),
and
St. Bishoy's Monastery, which is by far the largest in terms of
the
number of monks and the most popular as it is the monastic
residence
of the Pope Shenouda.
2. Old Cairo
---------
The Coptic Museum is world-famous for its amazing cross-section
of
pre-Islamic Egypt. This Museum deserves a full day. In the
same
neighborhood, the church of St. Mary (better known as ElMoaallaka,
or
the suspended) is one of the oldest churches in the area. The
church
of Abu-Serga is another one of the oldest churches in Egypt.
Other
less important close by sites include the church of St. George,
and
the monastry of Markorious (Abu-Saffein) for
nuns.
3. Sinai
-----
Mount Sinai and St Katherine Monastery next to it are among the
most
important sites outside the delta. The monastery follows the
Greek
Orthodox church, not the Coptic church.
4. Cairo
-----
St Mary's church in ElZaytoun is the site where the Virgin St.
Mary
appeared to the crowds every night for over 2 months starting on
April
2, 1968. The sightings were confirmed by thousands of Copts
and
Muslims. Hundred of miracles were reported. Right now there are
two
churches: the old small church where the appearances happened, and
a
newly built Cathedral. St Marc Cathedral in ElAabbasseya is the
center
of the Pope. Weekly meetings are held there where the pope
addresses
the crowds.
5. Alexandria
----------
The Greco-Roman Museum has a sizable collection of Coptic art. It
is
highly recommended for its "tanagra" collection -- a huge
collection
of miniature statues depicting the style of life during the Roman
era.
The Coptic Cathedral of St Mark is the site of the very first
church
built in Alexandria. It is claimed that the head of St Marc is
burried
there. Over one hundred of the Coptic Popes are burried there too.
6. Mariotis
--------
Once a magnet for Christian pilgrims from all over the
world.
Mariotis is now home for the young St Mena monastery, which
was
erected by the late Pope Kyrelloc 1 mile away from the remains of
the
old Cathedral of St Mena, which was built by a Roman emperror
in
recognition of the miraculous healing of his daughter by St Mena.
The
monastery is very popular among Copts. The remains of Pope
Kyrelloc
rest there and is believed to have caused many miracles.
7. Upper Egypt
-----------
There is a series of monasteries marking the steps of the Holy
Family
in their journey in Egypt. These include the 3 monasteries named
after
St. Mary in Samallout, Dronka (or Mt. Assuit), and
el-Mehharaq.
Further south are numerous monasteries where different schools
of
monasticism where practiced few centuries ago. These include
the
monasteries of St. Shenouda and St. Pachomius.
8. Red Sea
-------
The Monasteries of St Boula and St Antonius.
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