Christian Cairo, Cairo

1 more image

Built at the end of the 19th century, this Armenian Catholic Church is one of many churches representing different Christian sects (and religions) in "European" Cairo. Although Armenian presence in Egypt dates back many centuries, there were two large arrivals in modern times. The first occurred in the early 19th century when the ruler of Egypt invited Armenians to participate in the modernisation of Egypt. The second wave of arrivals happened in the early 20th century following the terrible conflict with the Ottomans. Although once estimated to be 60,000 strong, the Armenian community has dwindled down to around 5000 well-integrated Egyptian citizens (among them is the Arab world-famous actress/performer Nelly). Many Armenians chose to return to Armenia in the '20s and '30s with the arrival of the Soviets, who were seen as liberators, while others left Egypt in the post-revolution era, as did many non-Egyptians in the '50s and '60s.

4 more images

The Metropolitan Church is the most famous Coptic Christian church in Cairo. It has four names: Sitt Miriam, Church of the Virgin Mary, well known as El-Moallaqa or the "Hanging Church". It derives its name from its location on top of the southern tower gate of the old Babylon fortress with its nave suspended above the passage (Muallaqa is translated as 'suspended'). It is considered to be founded in the fourth century. It was rebuilt in the ninth century and on a number of later occasions.

It became known to travelers during the XIV-th and XV-th centuries as the "staircase church" because of the twenty-nine steps that lead to the entrance.
The church isn’t very large. It measures 25 meters long, 20 meters wide and 10 meters high.
The narthex leads into the nave (divided into four aisles, but originally with at least five), with the pulpit. There are three chapels shut off by old carved screens; the central one (the heikal or sanctuary) is dedicated to Christ, the one on the north to St George, the one on the south to John the Baptist.

The entrance into the church is located at the outer part of the Citadel just opposite the Mar Girgis metro station.

It is open daily 9.00 – 16.00.

To learn more The Hanging Church, Cairo

You may watch my video-clip from my personal channel on YouTube: 2 min 52 sec Egypt Cairo Old El Muallaka 2007

2 more images

It is believed that there was a settlement in the area, which is called Old Cairo now as far back as the VI-th century BC. Later, the Romans built a fortress here. Some of these Roman walls still exist and can be seen in this area. This Roman fortress had the name of Babylon.

The main entrance is perhaps one of the two oldest structures in Cairo. The rounded towers of the western gate of the Roman fortress of Babylon built in the I-st century by Emperor Trajan. The Southern gate is the other oldest structure.

4 more images

The Greek Church of St. George (Mari Girgis) is one of the few round churches still exist in the East, formed from it's placement atop a rounded Roman tower.
The Church is founded in the VII-th century.

The steps into the Church are built on the outer wall and the Roman towers. You will find a relief of St. George and the dragon (by the Russian artist Boris Fredman-Klusell) wrapped around the outer brickwork of the tower. The church had been burned many times. It burned completely in 1904. Its modern view was formed in 1909. For centuries, the Church alternated between ownership by the Copts and the Greek, but since the XV-th century it has remained Greek Orthodox, and the adjoining Monastery of St. George. In 1950th the most of Greeks left Egypt and the Monastery doesn’t exist now.

The Church has a richly decorated nave and beautiful stained-glass windows.

It is open daily 8.00-12.45 and 14.30 – 15.15.

You may watch my video-clip from my personal channel on YouTube: 2 min 39 sec Egypt Cairo Old St George Monastery 2007

4 more images

The Church of Sitt Barbara is founded in the V-th century and rebuilt in the Xth-XIth centuries. I want to retell you a legend which I found on a tourist guide…
Saint Barbara was a beautiful young lady. She was the daughter of a wealthy nobleman and merchant who was a pagan.
Tradition provides that he built a magnificent tower to safeguard his daughter, perhaps from the growing influence of Christianity. However, during his frequent business trips abroad, she was converted to Christianity.

Legend has it that when her father discovered her conversion (possibly when Saint Barbara tried to convert him), in a fit of rage, he turned her over to the Roman prefect who, under the watching eyes of her father, was to torture her until she denied Christ. She was stripped and struck with whips and clubs until she stood in a pool of her own blood, yet she would not deny Christ. Afterwards, she was thrown in to prison where, during the night, god completely healed her wounds and filled her with heavenly joy.

The next day, while the prefect was amazed to see her wounds had healed, he demanded that she denounce Christ, and when she refused. After additional torture, he became frustrated with her, and ordered her to be taken out and killed. It was her father himself who led her from the city and with his own sword, decapitated her. On his way home, however, a god had him struck by a bolt of lightning, killing him instantly.

The Church is open daily 8.00-16.00.

4 more images

The Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Abu Serga) was built in the IV-th century. It is considered to be the oldest of Cairo's Christian churches. It is dedicated to two early martyrs. It is traditionally believed to have been built on the spot where the Holy Family, Joseph, Mary and the infant Christ, rested at the end of their journey into Egypt. They may have lived here while Joseph worked at the fortress. The church is of significant historical importance and is certainly a must in Christian Cairo.

The building was probably constructed during the V-th century. It was burned during fires and was then restored in the VIII-th century and has been rebuilt and restored constantly since medieval times.

The Church is open daily 8.00-16.00.

You may watch my video-clip from my personal channel on YouTube: 2 min 28 sec Egypt Christian Cairo 2007

4 more images

There are two St. George Churches in Old Cairo. One belongs to the former Greek Orthodox Convent. It’s seen from everywhere and nobody misses it while strolling around Christian part of Cairo.

Another church is small and hidden in the quarter. It was founded in the VII-th century but was lost in the XIX-th century in fire. The new building was constructed in Coptic traditions. Interiors are rather poor I should say…

The Church is open daily 8.00-16.00.

This beautiful Romanesque/Florentine church of Saint Joseph was built by the architect Aristide Leonori in 1909 to serve the growing Roman Catholic community, largely Italians and French, in the Europeanised part of Cairo called Ismailiah. A previous small church existed on the site since the 19th century, when the Khedive Ismail (ruler of Egypt of the time) donated the land for the purpose. With the departure of most of Cairo's European Catholic population post-revolution in the '50s and '60s, the importance of the church has diminished. Yet to this day, service is still conducted in the church in Italian, French and Arabic. (Prior to the revolution, the Italian community was estimated to be around 200,000, and the French around 40,000 in the whole of Egypt).