Holy Family in Egypt
Many people may
know the story of the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt, but very few
have had the chance to follow their steps. Many Egyptian and
international tour operators offer what is commonly called as a “Holy
Family Tour.” Depending on its duration, such a tour will take you to
the places believed to have been visited by the Holy Virgin and her son
on their way through Egypt.A first stop on such a tour would be
the destroyed Ancient Egyptian city of Pelusium, in the Sinai Peninsula,
32 km southeast of Port Said. Archeological excavations taking place on
the site have restored a church dating back to the first century. The
tour will then probably take you to Tel Basta (near Zagazig, 80 km
northeast of Cairo);
it is believed that Jesus made a water spring appear on this site.
You’ll also visit the nearby site of Belbeis where the story tells that
the Virgin and her child rested under a tree, which came to be called
"The Virgin Mary’s Tree."
Day 2, you’ll go from Cairo to Sakha town to see Jesus’ footmark marked on a rock. That rock was hidden for centuries in fear of robbery, but it has been unearthed again about 15 years ago.
Before going back to Cairo, you will explore the monasteries and churches of Wadi Natrun, the Natrun Valley, which was also a stop in the Holy Family journey.
Day 3, you’ll follow the path of the Holy Family after leaving the desert, when they’ve decided to head southwards, to the eastern bank of the Nile in Matariyah and Ain Shams (ancient Heliopolis). You’ll then explore Zeitoun (Olives in Arabic), where the Holy Family rested on its way to Cairo, and more precisely the area where Old Cairo stands today with all its Coptic heritage landmarks.
On Day 4, you will leave Cairo to Minya, to follow the path of the Holy Family south towards Upper Egypt. You will be shown a laurel tree called “the Worshipper” (close by to Gabal el Tair) that is believed to have bowed to Jesus when he was passing by. Even today, it is amazing to see that all the branches of the tree depict the worship movement: inclined downwards, they turn upwards again after trailing on the ground.
On Day 5, from Minya, you’ll cross the Nile again to its West Bank and discover the ruin pile of fallen idols in Al-Ashmounein, and the towns of Dairout and Qussqam.
Day 6, again from Minya, you’ll visit Asyut and the surrounding monasteries and churches, and then head back to Cairo.
On the last days of your tour, and before returning to Cairo again, you’ll head to St. Catherine’s Monastery and Mount Sinai for 2 days. The program usually includes a Mount Moses hike, but to take part in it and enjoy the sunrise, you will have to start the hike at 1-2 am.
