The Holy Family in Egypt

The Holy Family entered Egypt via Farama, known also as Pelusium,
a port city that was situated on what was the Eastern branch of the Nile, but is now desert. There are still remains of ancient churches from the 5th to 7th centuries at the site. 

Moving south, the Holy Family traveled to Bilbays. According to tradition, they entered the city amidst a funeral procession of a young man. Feeling sympathy for the dead man’s mother, Jesus raised him from the dead.

Next, the Holy Family travelled to Samannud where they lived for several weeks alongside the local people. In the Church of Apa Nub, you can drink holy water from a well blessed by Jesus, or touch a granite bowl where the Virgin Mary baked bread. 

The Holy Family continued to the western Delta. Here you will see a very unique relic: the footprint of Jesus. The story goes that the baby Jesus was thirsty but his mother couldn't find any water. When she placed him on the ground, a stream sprung up underneath his foot.

The area of Wadi Natrun attracted thousands of monks and at one point there were 700 monasteries in the area. Today you can visit four monasteries that have persisted for centuries. 

The Virgin Mary washed Jesus in the stream and where she threw out the water, balsam plants grew.

The Holy Family passed through an area now known as Coptic Cairo that houses many churches, including the famous Hanging Church, as well as the Coptic Museum.

This site was also the location of a modern miracle. In 1976, a Deacon found a Bible floating in the river, opened to a verse in Isiah 19, which read, “Blessed be Egypt my people.” Today you can visit that very bible, secured in a reliquary in the church. 

Traveling south, the Holy Family crossed the Nile to Gabal al-Tayr,  one of the most important pilgrimage sites on the route. According to tradition, a pharaonic temple stood here which crumbled upon the arrival of the true God, fulfilling the prophecy in Isiah 19.

The pagan priests were angered by the destruction of their idols and, seeking refuge, Jesus placed his hand on the mountain and split it in two, providing a hiding place for the Holy Family. Now, you can step inside the Church of the Holy Virgin on that very spot.

The family continued up the Nile, stopping at small villages along the way, like Al Ashmunein, Dairut, Bir al-Shaba, and Meir, which were blessed by the Holy Family and today house churches and monasteries. However, one town received not a blessing, but a curse... 

After moving further south, the Holy Family settled in Deir Al Muharraq, where they stayed for over six months. It is also believed that, after his resurrection, Jesus returned to the spot to consecrate the alter, making it the first church in the world.

Following the journey of the Holy Family, you can end your trip in one of the holiest places in the world, and venerate the Holy Family in the place where Christian worship began.