The Holy Family Trip to Egypt (more than 2000 years ago)

There is a strong and persistent tradition that supports the Bible story (Matt.2:13-15)of the Flight into Egypt. It is a tradition shared by Christians and Muslims( who regard Jesus as a prophet along with Abraham, Moses, and Muhammad).There are literally dozens of sites throughout the Delta and Middle Egypt that are regarded as holy, and to which people make pilgrimage because they are places where the Holy Family visited rested or took refreshment during their sojourn. At Bahnasa in Middle Egypt for example, near the site of the ancient city of Oxyrhynchus, which was an Episcopal see in the fifth century, Coptic tradition holds that the Family traveled there on an ass and attracted those with infirmities, who received healing. Coptic and Muslim sources are not always in agreement on the route taken, nor on the duration of the visit. Copts believe that the Holy Family remained in Egypt for a little over three and a half years, while Muslim traditions have seven years-but such differences only serve to strengthen the tradition Among the sites that enjoy popularity as places where the Holy Family rested are the towns of Bubastis (Tell Basta), Bilbeis, Samannud, and Sakha in the Delta, where annual pilgrimages are made. Babylon (Old Cairo) and the church of the Holy Virgin on the banks of the Nile at Maadi, a suburb south of Cairo, are also hallowed sites. The latter is believed to mark the point where the Family embarked by boat for Upper Egypt. Mataria(ancient Heliopolis)enjoys great popularity as the place where the Virgin rested beneath a tree, refreshed herself, and washed the clothes of the Child in the spring. Many towns have a mulid or annual festival in honor of the Virgin. One of the most important is the pilgrimage on August 22 to Gebel al Tair (Mount of Birds),on the east bank of the Nile almost opposite Samalut in Middle Egypt. Another site popularly associated with the Flight is the village of Durunka, some ten kilometers south of Asyut where an important mulid is held each year. The monastery of Saint Mary Deir Durunka,like that of Gebel al Tair,is situated near the cliff face. Another monastery of Saint Mary known as Deir al Muharraq (the Burnt Monastery)is the largest and wealthiest monastery in Middle Egypt. It is situated in the western desert north of Asyut, and is best approached from Qusiya.

According to honored tradition Saint Mark brought Christianity to Egypt in the reign of the Roman emperor Nero in the first century. Some of the earliest converts to the new faith undoubtedly came from the Jewish community in Egypt, which represented the largest concentration of Jews outside Palestine. In fact, tradition also holds that Saint Mark’s first convert was a Jewish shoemaker in Alexandria. Although Egypt before the Christian era was by definition a pagan country and although the spiritual climate was one of disillusionment where the people under the yoke of imperial Rome, craved salvation there was a stream of traditional thought and belief that prepared the way for the Christian message.

Day 01:

Arrive Cairo International Airport ,meet and assist by Osoris steward with the sign of your name and assisting you through passport control formalities, luggage identification & portage then driving you by air-conditioned private Limousine to your hotel in which you will be assisted by Osoris steward for check-in.Overnight in Cairo.

Day 02:

Breakfast at your hotel, then drive to El Arish city at Northern Sinai, enjoy the Palm beach at Mediterranean Coast .Overnight in El Arish.

Day 03:

After breakfast, drive from El Arish to Cairo through the religious road. Among the sites that enjoy popularity the Towns of Bubastis (Tell Basta) Bilbeis , Back to Cairo.Overnight in Cairo.(Heliopolis area)

Day 04:

After breakfast drive to Samannud and Shaha in the Delta ,where annual pilgrimages are made. After few hours Driving .Arrive to Wadi Al Natrun where the Holy Family rested. Back to Cairo. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 05:

After breakfast drive to El Matariya (ancient Heliopolis) enjoys great popularity as the place where the Virgin rested beneath a tree called the “THE VIRGIN ‘S TREE” at Mataria .Dive to Old Cairo where you can find Church of Saint Sergius (Abu Sarga)is situated to the North of the Coptic Museum. The church is dedicated to two Roman officers Sergius and Bacchus who were martyred in Syria in 303.The earliest part of the building dates from the fifth century and was built over the cave where, according to tradition, the Holy Family hid during their Flight into Egypt. Hanging Church (al Muallaqa)this Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary is known as the “Hanging or suspended” Church because it rests on the two southwestern bastions of the old Roman fortress of Babylon. drive to Maadi Church. Back at hotel. Overnight in Cairo

Day 06:

After breakfast visit the Pyramids one of seven wonders of the ancient world and Egyptian Museum contains the largest & finest collection of Pharonic antiquities in the world. Come back to the hotel. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 07:

After breakfast. drive to Cairo Airport for final departure.

Program Includes

> 5 nights in Cairo on bed and breakfast.
> 1 nights in El-Arish on bed and breakfast.
> All drives in the program.
> Sightseeing in Cario with Egyptology guide
> Entrance fees during sightseeing in Cairo

Program Execludes

> Entry Visa (cost per person 18$).
> Any Extra personal Expenses and tips.

N.B.
The rest of Virgin places from Cairo to Assiut upon request.

For Pricing:

Please send email with the following information & specify Full Name, Nationality, The Expected Arrive & Departure Date (Month), Number of Person & Accommodation Required (Double/Single/Triple) Hotel Category 5 Stars (Deluxe) or 4 Stars (First Class) or 3 Stars (Tourist) & if required Domestic Flights.