THE HOLY JOURNEY

The important stations where the holy family took shelter

are:

1. BUBASTIS HILL
The holy family left Bethlehem on its way to Egypt
through Sinai. They followed the Southern Caravan way
along the Mediterranean coast, passing through Gaza-Raphia
(Rafah)-Rhinocolura2, (now El-Arish), and then to Ostrakini
which became a diocese of Bishop Abram who joined the
council of Ephesus 431 A.D3.

The last station for the Holy Family in Sinai was Pelusium
(now Al-Farma4), which is located between El-Arish and
Port-Said and which is considered the key entrance to Egypt
from the Eastern side.

From Pelusium they crossed to Bubastis (Tel-Basta),

where they rested under a tree, that is said to have survived
till 1850 A.D. Here, at Bubastis Hill, a spring of water
erupted, from which the holy family used to drink; and its
water healed many from their sickness.

Soon after the Holy Family resided in the city, the pagan
statues began to collapse and this consequently aroused the
anger of the pagan priests against the Holy Family.
Therefore, the Holy Family left to the outskirts of the city to
a place now called "Mastard."

2. MATARYAH
The Holy Family traveled to Bilbais, then to Miniat-Genah
(now Miniat Samanoud), crossing the River Nile to
Samanoud and from there to Borolos. They crossed the
River Nile to the Western bank to Sakha, then they traveled

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westward along Wadi-el-Natroun (Natroun Valley), south of
the "Sheheet" wilderness. This wilderness became a paradise
of monks, the earthly angels.

The Holy Family then traveled to Heliopolis, to a district

called "Mataryah," where they took shelter under a tree,
known as the "St. Virgin Mary Tree." The Coptic church is
taking care of this tree which is still blossoming despite its
old age. Near this tree a spring of water shot and balsam
plants are still growing. These plants are added to the
ointments used to make the Holy Chrism (Oil for
confirmation).

Pilgrims in the middle ages used to visit "Mataryah" and

"St. Mary's Tree" regarding them as sacred places. Until
today tourists come to visit them.

3. OLD CAIRO
Old Cairo is considered the third station for the Family.
Here we have St. Virgin Mary's Church and a nunnery which
are both located at Zwayla lane. But the most attractive
landmark is the cave in Babylon in Old Cairo in which there
is an altar and a niche. It is probable that the Holy family
might have used this cave as a place for the Child Jesus to
sleep. Above this cave, a church had been built in the fourth
century and is known as the St. Sergius Church (Abu-Sarga).

Within a week, the idols of the pagan temples began to

collapse, the pagan priests aroused with anger and, forced
the foreign family out of the city. Thus, the holy family left
for Memphis then to Maadi where St. Mary's Church has
been built. Perhaps, this church was a Jewish Temple. The
present structure with its attractive triple granary domes is
known from the thirteenth century5.

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 4. IN UPPER-EGYPT
The Holy family crossed the River Nile to Upper Egypt
and headed east to Bahnassa (near Beni-Mazar), they then
crossed to the eastern bank, where they stopped at Gabal-el-
Tair (Mount of Birds) near Samalout.

From Gabal-el-Tair, the Holy Family went to Ashmounin

near Malawi, then to a village called Philes, about 20 km
south of Ashmounin. They traveled to Qoussieh (Qousqam)
where they were treated harshly and were driven away by the
very people who saw that their stone idols had fell before
Jesus. The Holy Family escaped to the village Mirah (now
Mir), whence they took to the Qousqam Mountain on which
the famous Monastery of the Holy Virgin, known as "Al-
Muharraq" stands. There, at that mountain it had been
revealed to them by Spirit to return back to Jerusalem. They
followed a way that took them to the South up to Assyout
Mountain where they took shelter for a while in a cave
known now as St. Virgin Monastery at Assiout.

ST. VIRGIN MARY'S CHURCH AT ZAYTOUN

The Holy Family might have passed through Zaytoun, a
suburb of Cairo. On the domes of St. Mary's church at
Zaytoun, a good number of St. Mary's apparitions occurred
(from the 2nd of April 1968 until 1971). Such wonderful
apparitions occurred successively and were obviously seen
by thousands of people.

ST. VIRGIN MARY'S CLOSET AT EL-EZRAWIA

It is said that the Holy Family passed by a watermelon
farm where seeds had just been sown. St. Joseph asked the
farmer to tell the soldiers, who were chasing them, that the
Holy Family passed by his farm at the time when he was
sowing his seeds. Two days later when the soldiers arrived at

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the farm, the water melon had blossomed and some fruits
were visible. This made the soldiers believe that the Holy
Family had passed by this place several months before.
Therefore the soldiers slowed down the chase after the Holy
family.

PALM (EL-KAF) MOUNTAIN

It is said that while the Holy Family was crossing the Nile
to Gabal-el-Tair a huge rock from the Mountain was about
to fall on their boat. St. Mary was afraid but her Son - who
has power on nature - stretched His hand thus prevented the
rock from falling, and left his palm print on it. Queen Helen,
mother of Emperor Constantine, ordered that a church
should be built at this place. In the twelfth century (1168
A.D), when Almeric, King of Jerusalem invaded Upper-
Egypt, he cut away the piece of the rock and took it back to
Syria.
________
1. Fr. Tadros Y. Malaty: The Coptic Church, "Church of Alexandria, Melbourne,
Australia, 1978, p. 11-18.
2. The identification with Coptic "Rhinocunoura" is accepted on sufferance by Amelineau
Geographie, p. 404. In this city the Romans exiled criminals and cut off their noses.
3. Aziz Atia: History of Eastern Christianity, p. 23.
4. From the Coptic "Pheromi."
5. Aziz S. Atiya, p.24.

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