View source for Coptic Church History: Birth of the Church

When our Lord Jesus Christ was born, the Roman Empire extended for about two thousand miles in 
width from the Antonios Wall and the northern borders of France to the  Atlas Mountains and the 
Tropic of Cancer, known as the “Cancer Latitude.”  The Roman Empire extended for about three 
thousand miles in length from the Atlantic Ocean to El.Frate River.   

The Roman Empire was one of the most beautiful regions in the world between the lines of 24 and 56 
to the North and surface area of one million, 600 thousand square miles.  Most of this surface area was 
excellent cultivated land.  During this era Alexandria, Rome, and Athens were the most important 
cities in the world. 

Egypt during this time was a Roman state under the direct authority of Roman Caesar.  Also a 
Mediterranean state, Egypt was self-supporting.   The production of wheat, linens, and cotton was 
unsurpassed.  Egypt exported many products to  approximately 100 countries, including Rome, the 
capital of the Roman Empire.  Even with the  abundance of exports, native Egyptians had limited 
freedom due in large part to the many dominating nations who settled there throughout history. 

Egypt during the time of the Roman Empire included 3 divisions and about 36 states.  The Greek 
language was the most frequently spoken.  Egypt was the “bread basket” for the Empire.  It was first 
among the other states, in industry and trade.   

Alexandria, the capital of Egypt, was renowned for its great architecture, stately museums, temples, 
and its famous Library and University.  The Alexandrian Library was one of the 7 wonders of the 
world.  The City of Alexandria was divided into 5 sections containing official government buildings, 
which included that of the Roman governor.  This section included people of Greek, Jewish, Roman, 
Persian, Syrian, and Egyptian lineage.  As mention by Philo, at the time of our Lord Jesus Christ, about 
40% of the Alexandrian people were the rich Jewish who worked in industry and trading.  This may 
explain why the Holy Family fled to Egypt. 

== The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ ==

As mentioned in the Holy Gospel of St Luke 2:1-7, “And it came to pass in those days that a decree 
went out from Caesar Augustus that the entire world should be registered.  This census first took place 
while Quirinius was governing Syria.  So all went to be registered everyone to his own city.  Joseph 
also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called 
Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his 
betrothed wife, who was with child.  So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for 
her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, 
and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn..” 

It is known that a general census took place every 14 years in the Roman Empire (included were 
Egypt, Syria, and Palestine).  In Syria, the census first took place at the time of Kerenlios, governor of 
Syria.  During this period of history, Herod was the king of Judea and Augustine was the Roman 
Caesar.   The calendar utilized in Rome at that time was related to the foundation of Rome and its symbol was 
“Announbis conditae A.V.C.”  Dionysuis Eyiguus later changed this to the Christian calendar on 526 
AD and its symbol was Anno Domini (A.D.). 

However, we believe Dionysius to be inaccurate with his calculations by approximately 4 years as he 
calculated the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ on 754 A.V.C., but Herod, the Elder who killed 
Bethlehem’s children died on April 750 A.V.C. and so if we add 3.5 years, the duration of the presence 
of the Holy Family in Egypt according to Coptic history to the date of the death of the king, Nero 
which was on 4 B.C.  We further know that the Lord Jesus Christ was born in 7 B.C., which is the 
same time at which Kerenlios was the governor of Syria. 

A papyrus, dating back to the 4th century, which was studied in Kilon University, Germany, revealed 
that the Holy Family stayed about 3 years and  11 months in Egypt.  The papyrus was written by 
Fayoum in Coptic dialect and mentioned that the Month of Bashans was the most blessed month of the 
year.  Therefore, our beloved Coptic Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Visit to Egypt on the 1stof June each year. 

== The Blessed Lord Jesus Christ’s Birth and the Scientists of Astronomy ==

The scientist Johannas Kepler in 1603 observed that Saturn and Jupiter in the whale’s group become 
very close together and appear as one star.  Kepler reviewed the writings of Jewish author Abravanel 
who mentioned that the Messiah would appear when Saturn touches Jupiter in the whale’s group and 
so according to the statistics done by Kepler, he noted that this occurred in 7 B.C. The year of the Lord 
Jesus Christ’s birth was 7 B.C. 

Also in l925, the German scientist Schnabel read the writings before the Babylon Era, which belong to 
the Sippar’s Astronomy School in Babylon, Egypt.  These writings predicted that Saturn and Jupiter 
would become very close in 7 B.C.  This explains the trip of the Wise Men from the East to Jerusalem. 

== The Christian History ==

As previously mentioned, Dionysius Exiguous was the first in 526 AD to use the Christian calendar.  
Exiguous purported that the Lord Jesus Christ was born on December 25, 753 A.U.C.  However, as all 
scientists know Exiguous made a mistake in his calculations.  By the comparison of the Holy Gospel of 
St Matthew 2:1 and the Holy Gospel of St Luke 3:1 we can accurately conclude the following:  The 
Lord Jesus Christ was born before the death of Nero who died the spring of 750 A.U.C.  As denoted by 
Yousifous, the Lord Jesus Christ began His preaching at the time of sharing Tebarious Caesar with 
Augustine Caesar on 765 A.U.C.  This signifies to us that when the Lord Jesus Christ was 30 years of 
age, Tebarious Caesar had 15 years in authority,  and with the addition of these 15 years to the 
beginning of Tebarious authority, we can conclude that the Lord began His  earthly ministry on 779 
A.U.C. This further proves that He was born on  749 A.U.C. approximately 4 years before the date 
mentioned by Exiguous.  Being impossible to correct on the Christian Calendar, scientists added the 
years to the period between Adam and the Lord Jesus Christ to be 4004 instead of 4000.  Can you then 
calculate the date of the Lord Jesus Christ’s birth to have been on December 25 or January 7? 

As written in the Apostolic Teachings, chapter 18, “you should celebrate the Feast of the Lord’s birth 
on the 25th of the 9th month for Hebrew which is the 29th of the 4th month for Egyptians.”  The Hebrew 
year is less than the Coptic Year by 11 days.  The Hebrew Year also depends on the moon’s movement while the Coptic Year depends on the solar system.  Therefore, one month every three years was added 
to the Hebrew year to coincide with the solar calendar. 

When the Romans designed their calendar which also depended upon the solar system, their calendar 
started with January and ended with December and so December becomes similar to the 9th month of the Hebrew Year and the 4th month of the Coptic Year so December 25th equals the 25th of the 9th month of the Hebrew ear and 29th of the 4th month “Kiahk” of the Coptic Year as denoted in the Apostolic Teachings. 

In 1082 AD, Pope Gregory 13th, observed that the solar calendar is 365.2422 and not 365.25 as was 
known so Pope Gregory did the “Gregorian Correction” where the difference 0.0078 day/year for one 
day every 128 years so he  added 13 days placing 29th Kiahk on January 7 and every 128 years, the 
difference will increase by one day so 29th of Kiahk will be 8th of January 2101 AD and the 9th of January on 2229 and so on. 

== The Flight of the Holy Family From Bethlehem to Egypt ==

The Holy Gospel of St Matthew 2:13-15 states, “Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the 
Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to 
Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.’  
When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was 
there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the 
prophet, saying, ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son.” 

=== The Holy Family in Bethlehem ===

After St Joseph had received instruction from the Angel of God 
to take the young Child, the Lord Jesus Christ, and His mother and flee to Egypt; he also took 
Salome, a mid-wife.  The Family stayed for a while in a grotto, known by Bethlehem residents as 
“Magharat El-Sayyidah or Magharat El-halib” situated southeast of the Basilica of Nativity. 

The Armenian tradition asserts that when St Mary the Virgin tried to beast feed the child, Lord 
Jesus, drops of her milk fell upon a stone that became white.  St Paula built a church upon this site 
in the name of the Virgin, St Mary.  This grotto is filled with white soft stones known as the 
“virgins’ milk.”  Some of the stones were transferred to Europe for the building of churches there.  
The present Basilica was built in 1872 AD and its stones have the power to stimulate the flow of 
milk in lactating females.   

The Holy Family in its trip to Egypt used a donkey.  In the Holy Gospel of St Matthew 21:5 we 
read “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King  is coming to you, lowly and sitting on a 
donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.” 

=== The Holy Family in the Land of the Philistines ===

The Holy Family went first to the ancient Philistine city and seaport of Ashkelon on the Mediterranean Sea where Samson killed thirty 
Philistines (Judges 14:19).  From there, they proceeded in an almost easterly direction to Hebron.  
Then they traveled to Gaza about 40 km to the  west, where the site of the ancient Canaanite 
stronghold of Gaza was.  They took the route that ran parallel to the shore of the sea, and crossed 
the Valley of Gaza in about two hours.  After a days’ journey from Gaza, the Holy Family arrived 
at the ancient township of Jenysos, today known as Khanyun, a section of the Gaza strip. 

By walking continually on this route, they would have arrived at Raphia, the frontier town between 
the Gaza strip and the Province  of Egypt.  Raphia had been the  battleground of the contending 
forces of Ptolemy IV and Antiochus the Great in 217 BC.  It was conquered by Alexander Jamoeus 
the Maccabee and annexed to Judea.  Gabinus again restored it to Egypt. 

Continuing another 44km, along the caravan route of two days of travel, the Holy Family crossed a 
stream, and entered the Valley of Al-Arish, which throughout history has formed a natural 
boundary between Egypt and Palestine. 

=== The Holy Family in the Land of Egypt ===

Our Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of the Lord Jesus Christ’s Flight to Egypt on 24th of Bashans, which is the first day of June. 

The Holy Family would have arrived at the City of Rhinocolura, the present day Al-Arish.  Aba El 
Makram stated that there were 2 churches in the third century in this city. 

The next town entered was Ostrakini, which has since disappeared and replaced today by a small 
village called Straki, which is in close proximity to Al-Arish.  Abraham the Bishop of Ostrakini at 
the Joint Ephesian Council mentioned this city in 431 AD.  

At the southwestern end of the caravan route from Judea to Egypt lies the famous city of Pelusium 
“Al-Farma” which was the capitol of the state of Agstamnike, seaport and key to the country of 
Egypt.   

Jeremiah the Prophet came to the city as referred to in the Holy Book of Jeremiah 43:5-8:  “Instead 
Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers led away all the remnant of Judah who had come 
back to live in the land of Judah from all the nations where they had been scattered.  They also led 
away all the men, women, and children and the king’s daughters whom Nebuzaradan commander 
of the imperial guard had left with Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the 
prophet and Baruch son of Neriah.  So they entered Egypt in disobedience to the Lord and went as 
far as Tahpanhes.  In Tahpanhes the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah.”    
At the western side of Al Farma, an ancient church still stands today that is considered as one of 
the most important places visited by the Holy Family. 

=== The Holy Family in the Nile Delta ===

During the time of Gaius Turranius (7-4 BC) the Roman Prefect of Egypt, the Holy Family crossed the narrow isthmus Al-Ouantara.  Today it exists as a 
small village along the Suez Canal.  It was over this particular isthmus separating Lake Manzala 
from Lake Ballah that the ancient caravan route continued from Judea to Egypt.  This route had 
centuries prior been traveled by Abraham and Jacob and his family (Genesis 12:10-42). 
In the footsteps of the Patriarchs, the Holy Family entered into the Province of Goshen, the present 
day El-Sharkia Governorate in Goshen.  Visom  and Ramsis were the cities the Jews built for 
Pharaoh, extending to the suburbs of present day Cairo City.  This explains how Joseph came to 
marry Asenath the daughter of the priest of On (Genesis 41:45).   

The first city the Holy Family visited in the Nile Delta was Bubastis (“Tell Basta”) 2 kilometers 
south of Zaga Zig.  They were not well received in this town; therefore, they went a day’s journey 
farther southwards until they reached the town of Bilbais along the modern Ismailia Canal.  Today, there is only one Coptic Orthodox Church at Bilbais, the Church of St George in the north eastern 
part of the town, about one kilometer from the main road. 

In “Tella Basta,” the Holy Family was not welcomed.  A spring of water erupted with this visit that 
became known for its healing properties.  It did not heal any illnesses of the people of Basta. 
It was mentioned in the vision of Pope Theophelias, 23rd Pope of Alexandria that in “Tella Basta” 2 
thieves met the Holy Family.  One was Tetus an Egyptian and the other, Dimakos a Syrian.  They 
stole belongings of the Holy Family causing St Mary to weep.  Also at this city the people refused 
to provide the Holy Family with any water.  The Lord Jesus Christ touched the earth with His Holy 
finger and soon a spring of water rose from the earth to quench their thirst.  The water of this 
spring is believed to have healing powers for those of all diseases.  For the people of Basta though, 
it provides no healings.  From this city, was St  Apollo, the son of Yarstos, who was martyred 
during the Era of Didadianos (284-305). 

In Bilbais, there remains a root of a very ancient tree referred to as St Mary the Virgin’s Tree.  It 
has been told that when soldiers of Napoleon tried to cut this tree, it began to bleed.  The soldiers 
quickly fled frightened at this bleeding. 
The Holy Family continued their journey northwards until they reached the next town of 
Sebennytos (Samannud) on the west side of the Damietta branch of the Nile. The local tradition in 
Samannud relates that the present church of St Abanoub was built on the ruins of an ancient church 
dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, which in turn was built on the site where the Holy Family visited.  
In this church the relics of St Abanoub reside.  The name “Samannud” means the founders of gods 
and was known for its production of golden idols. 

Having crossed the Damietta branch of the Nile, the Holy Family traveled westwards until they 
reached a place known today as Sakha, situated about 2 kilometers south of Kafr-Elshaikh.  It was 
at this location that the Lord Jesus Christ placed His Holy foot upon a stone and the mark of the 
sole of His foot remained.  It is referred to as “Bikha Isous (in Coptic)” meaning footprint of the 
Lord Jesus Christ.  This stone was discovered about 1986 AD during excavations of a church. 
St Simon who stood for 50 years over the Pillar in the 7th Century distinguished the town of Sakha.  
St Saverius the Antiochian visited this city in the 6th Century.  We celebrate his memory the 2nd of Babah. 

After Bikha Isous, the Holy Family traveled westwards and crossed the Rosetta branch of the Nile. 
Continuing onward they saw from afar the Desert of Scetis (Wadi El-Natrun) and the Lord Jesus 
Christ blessed it and told His mother, “My mother, in this desert, there will reside many monks 
who will live the spiritual life and serve God as angels.” 
The town nearest the Desert of Scetis is Terenouti “Al-Tarrana” about  40 kilometers from the 
present Monastery of St Marcarius.  300 years following this blessed visit, St Marcarius came to 
this area and built 2 monasteries, the Monastery of El-Baramous and the Monastery of St Macarius.  
Now there are five monasteries in this region: 
# The Monastery of Anba Bishoy 
# The Monastery of St Mary the Virgin and Anba John Kama “El-Syrian Monastery” 
# The Monastery of St Mary, the Virgin, “El-Baramous” 
# The Monastery of St Marcarius 
# The Monastery of St George in El-Khatatba 

=== The Holy Family in the Present Cairo ===

Progressing onward in their journey the  Family crossed the River Nile until they reached the city of the Biblical -shams(Heliopolis) near Matariyah, the modern suburb of Cairo. 
According to Ethiopian Syncthar, when the Holy Family came to El-Matariyah, the Lord Jesus 
Christ took St Joseph’s stick and broke it into small pieces after using it to dig a spring.  The small 
pieces of the planted stick soon bore plants known as Balsam.  The Lord Jesus told His mother from 
this Balsam, Maroon would be made for Baptism.  Until today, in El-Matariyah there remains a 
street “Balsam” and another in the name of St Mary the Virgin.  In this town St Mary asked for 
bread and the residents of the town once again refused her request.  From the time of St Mary’s 
request until present day, no dough will ferment in this city. 

In El-Matariyah there is also an aged, large tree  that houses a cave in one of its large roots.  
Tradition purports that the Holy Family concealed themselves within this tree root cave from 
thieves attempting to steal from them.  In El-Matariyah there exists a Cathedral in the name of St 
Mary the Virgin. 

The Holy Family next traveled to the location where the Church of the Blessed Virgin in the Harat 
Zuwaila of Cairo now stands.  They passed through the suburb of Zaitoon.  The Virgin Mary has 
appeared for multitudes in several distinguishable shapes upon her church in Zaitoon from April 2, 
l968. 

Harat Zuwaila is situated in the  northeastern district of Cairo.   Annexed to this church is the 
Convent of Nuns.  The nuns say that when the Holy Family rested there, the Lord Jesus Christ 
blessed the water of the well and the blessed Virgin drank from it.  This well is located in the floor 
before the southern sanctuary of the lower church, and the water continues to be utilized for healing 
the sick. 

Journeying southwards, the Holy Family passed  the Fortress of Babylon, which determined the 
route of Upper Egypt. The Holy Family stopped at this location on their return to Palestine. 
Twelve kilometers south of Cairo at El-Maadi, on the bank of the Nile River, there is the Church of 
the Blessed Virgin with its three cupolas.  From El-Maadi, the Holy Family took a sailboat traveling 
southward along the Nile. 

The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Harat Zuwaila was designated St Mark’s See for 
approximately 360 years for 23 Popes (Pope Johan the 8th (1310-1320 AD) to Pope Metaos the 4th(1660 –1670 AD).   
The churches in Harat Zuwaila today include: 
# The Church of the Virgin 
# The Church of St Marcarius 
# The Church of St George 
# The Monastery of St Mary the Virgin for Nuns 
# The Monastery of St George for Nuns In El-Maadi, a church is built at the same site where the Holy Family obtained a sailboat to cross the Nile.  It is called the Monastery of the Virgin “El-Adoia” which in Arabic means, “pass” as does the name Maadi. 

On Friday, March 12, l976 after completion of the Divine Liturgy, a Holy Bible was discovered 
floating on the waters of the Nile River opposite the church.  It was open to the Holy Book of 
Isaiah 19:25, “Blessed be Egypt My people.”  This Holy Bible is preserved for all generations at 
this church. 

=== The Holy Family in Upper Egypt ===

Twelve kilometers southwest of Maghagha can be found a 
village, Ishnin Al-Nasarah.  In former times there was said to be as many churches as there was 
days in a year located within the boundaries of this village.  A local oral tradition relates that the 
waters of a   well about 80 kilometers north of the Church of St George were blessed by the Lord 
Jesus when the Holy Family passed through the village on their way to Baysus (Dair El-Garnus).  
The sacred well of Dair El-Garnus is situated at the western end of the south aisle of the Church of 
the Blessed Virgin. 

Ten Kilometers in a southern direction on the edge of the desert is an ancient city of Oxyrhynchus, the 
present day town of Al Bahnasa.  Today Al Bahnasa has only one church, which is dedicated to St 
Theodore. 

Near the ancient Cyanopolis, the present village of Al Kals, the Holy Family took another boat to 
travel southwards.  Advancing 35 kilometers, they passed the Al  Tair Mountain, which is almost 
opposite to Samalut and Bayahu.  While sailing past this mountain, a large boulder was about to fall 
upon the boat and the blessed Virgin became frightened.  The Lord Jesus Christ extended His hand and 
prevented the boulder from falling and the imprint of His hand remained upon the large rock.  When 
Almeric, King of Jerusalem (1162-1173 AD) invaded Egypt, his army chiseled away a piece of the 
rock and carried it back with them to Syria in 1168 AD.  The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary at AlTair Mountain was built in commemoration of this visit by the Holy Family. 
From Al-Tair Mountain, the Holy Family sailed southward, passing on their journey, the present day 
Minya, at that time the Rock Temple of goddess Pekhet, called by the Greeks Speos Artemidos.  On 
this site is the present village of Bani-Hassan Al-Asshuruf.   

Finally, they passed the Temple of Ramses II, the ruins of which the Roman Emperor Hadrian built the 
town of Antinoupolis in 130 AD.  The village of Shaikhabadah occupies this site today. 
Opposite the ruins of Antinoupolis there is the town of Al-Roda which is built on the site where the 
Holy Family disembarked in order to proceed to the famous City of Khmunu, the Hermopolis Magna 
of the Greeks, at the present village of Al-Ashmunain.  The ruins of the Basilica of Hermopolis Magna 
are situated just outside the village of Al-Ashmunian.  About 10  kilometers southwards the Holy 
Family resided for a few days in Mahlaus, the present town of Mallawi.  There are numerous Coptic 
Churches in this town and two are specifically dedicated to the blessed Virgin.  
Two days further traveling in a southerly direction brought the Holy Family to the town of Kenis 
(Nikyas, Funkiss) the present Dairot Al-Sharif.  The inhabitants of this town were very charitable, and 
the Holy Family remained there for several days.  The Lord Jesus wrought innumerable miracles in 
this location.  All those who had diseases or afflictions came to Him with faith to be healed.  Many people believed on Him and the idols in this town were demolished.  From Dairot Al-Sharif, the Holy 
Family traveled via pepleu, the present Beblaw, to the town of Sanabo.  

Thereupon, the Holy Family entered the City of Cusea or Ousquam, today known as Al-Ousia.  The 
priests of the idols, who were a  hundred in number, pursued the Holy Family with rods and axes 
desiring to strike out at them.  The Holy Family did not linger in such a town and they continued to 
travel onward.  After a short distance from the town, the Lord Jesus Christ turned toward the town of 
the violent priests and cursed it and its inhabitants.   

Approximately six kilometers west of the town, the Holy Family stopped and rested for a while in the 
locality of the present town of  Meir.  About eight kilometers south of Meir, the Holy Family 
discovered a well.  At the location of the well, the Holy Family sojourned for six months in a certain 
house.  This holy place blessed by the visit of the Holy Family, was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin 
and is known as the Dair Al Muharraq Monastery.  According to tradition, the Church of the Blessed 
Virgin at Dair Al Muharraq was the first church built in Egypt.   
Also, according to local tradition, the southern  most places visited by the Holy Family was ten 
kilometers southwest of ancient Lycopolis (Asyut) at Establ Antara Mountain Range rising west of 
Asyut.  The Holy Family stayed there in the large rock tombs of the Ixth to the XIIth Dynasty.  The 
Church of the Blessed Virgin at Dair Al Adra in Dronka is situated east of the cave in which the Holy 
Family rested.  From Asyut, the Holy Family returned to the site of present Dair Al Muharraq. 

== The Return of the Holy Family ==

On their return, the Holy Family lodged in a cave that is today 
situated beneath the Church of St Sergius in old Cairo, the ancient Babylon of Egypt.  This cave where 
the Holy Family took rest was a site, which was included in the itineraries of mediaeval pilgrims to the 
Holy Land. 

From Babylon, the Holy Family continued their way northwards stopping at On again.  This is near the 
present site of Al-Matariyha.  Here the Lord Jesus was bathed and the well was blessed.  A sycamore 
tree, underneath which the Holy Family was to have found shelter, still stands in a small garden 
enclosed by a well.   

The next place the Holy Family visited on their return to Palestine was Al-Mahammah or the place of 
bathing.  About three kilometers west of Matariyah on the western bank of the Ismaifiyah Canal, there 
is to this day a well that was blessed by the Holy Family. The well is situated at the northeast corner of 
the church, east of the cave where the Holy Family found shelter. 
From Al-Mahammah, the next stopping point of the Holy Family was Leontopolis, known today as the 
ruins of Tall Al-Yahudiyah, near Shebin El-Kanater.  Moving onward the Holy Family returned to 
Palestine along the same route they had utilized to come to Egypt.  They passed through Bilbais and 
crossed the isthmus at Al-Qantara and traveled on the Caravan Route from Egypt to Palestine, along 
the Mediterranean Coast. 

According to local tradition, the Holy Family rested for several days near Gaza in a garden between the 
Gabal Muntar and Gaza.   

When the Holy Family entered Palestine, St Joseph heard that Archelaus reined in Judea under the 
auspices of his father Herod.  St Joseph was afraid to go there and being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside in the region of Galilee.  And He came and dwelt in a City called Nazareth, that it might 
be fulfilled, which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”  (Matthew 2:22-23) 
The Flight of the Holy Family to Egypt is both a significant and a living tradition for the people of the 
Land of the Pharaohs.  As we see the Flight of the Holy Family to Egypt was the spark that spread the 
flames of Christianity to all regions throughout Egypt.  It spread through out Egypt faster than any 
other country so all Egyptians became Christian in a very short period of time.

== The Birth of the Coptic Church ==

Having summarized Egypt antiquity, Egypt in the Holy Bible including the blessing of the visit of the 
Holy Family, I would like to reflect upon the 60 years following the visit, to the establishment of our 
Coptic Church of Alexandria.  The apostle, St Mark, the Evangelist and Beholder of God, preaching 
and teaching confirmed and founded the Coptic Church as the holy and apostolic church. 

The Church was born on the day of Pentecost.  Fifty days after the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord 
Jesus Christ when the Holy Spirit came upon the chosen apostles during the third hour (9am) was the 
moment of the birth of the Church.  This fulfilled the Lord Jesus Christ’s promise of sending them 
power from the Highest.  The Holy Book of Acts describes the birth of the Church: “When the Day of 
Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a 
sound from Heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  
Then there appeared to them divided tongues as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.  And they were 
all filled with the Holy Spirit  and began to speak with other tongues as  the Spirit gave them 
utterance.”  (Acts 2:1-4) 

The Church was born in Jerusalem so the Church of Jerusalem was considered the mother church for 
all the Christian churches in the world.  The Word of God was growing and the number of disciples 
increased (Acts 6:7) where the Lord was the worker in and by them and daily multitudes were saved 
and added to the Church (Acts 2:24).   

Very early, the Church of Jerusalem offered her fruit as a sacrifice to the Lord.  Her fruit being St 
Stephen, the archdeacon and first martyr, stoned to his death by the Jews of Jerusalem because of his 
preaching and witnessing for the Lord Jesus Christ at which time “the one to be later called St Paul the 
apostle” was consenting to his death by stoning (Acts 7: 54-8:1). 

The Holy Book of Acts describes the establishment of the churches in many different regions of the 
world: 
# The Church in Samaria (Acts 8:4-25). 
# Early preaching to the Ethiopian Church by St Phillip (Acts 8:26-40).  Later on St Athanasius 
would ordain St Fromntios as the first bishop of the Ethiopian Church. 
# The Gentile Church in Antioch.  Antioch was a major city near the Mediterranean Coast of Syria, an international city and center for  Greek civilization.  Most of the comprised populations were Syrian but many Greeks and Jews were residing there as well.  The Apostles sent out St Barnabas to Antioch to preach there where his teachings bore fruit.  Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul where he brought him to Antioch and both stayed there for one year.  They assembled the Church and taught great numbers of people.  It was here in Antioch where the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:19-21). 
# Establishment of the churches in Cyprus (Acts 13:14-12), Pisidia (Acts 13:13-14), Iconius and Galatia (Acts 14:7), Philippi and Macedonia (Acts 16:11-40), Thessalonica, Berea and Athens (Acts 17), Corinth (Acts 18:1-17), Ephesus (Acts 19:8-9) and Rome. 

In the first three centuries there were four main Sees in the world Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome, and 
Alexandria.  Later on, the See of Jerusalem and Antioch began to lose their positions and the See of 
Constantinople the capital of the Eastern Empire began to appear.  In the fourth century 
Alexandria, Rome, and Constantinople were the main Sees in the Church. 

=== The Church of Alexandria ===

As previously mentioned Alexandria was the third leading city in the world following only Rome 
and Athens during the Apostolic Era continuing in this order to the sixth century.  In philosophy 
and science, Alexandria was the first city in  the world where it was famous for its school, the 
greatest center for culture and science, in the world at that time.  The Alexandrian Library at the 
time in history was to become one of the wonders of the world.  The seeds of Christian faith began 
to take root in Alexandria even before the evangelism efforts of St Mark.  Alexandria was 
geographically located near Jerusalem and had multitudes of Jews who lived in Alexandria.  In the 
Holy Book of Acts we read about Apollos who was born in Alexandria and was noted to be an 
eloquent man and mighty in the Holy Scriptures (Acts 18:24-28). 

St Luke wrote his Gospel to Theophilus who was Christian and a man of wealth from Alexandria 
(Luke 1:1-4).  Tradition imparts that St Simon the Canaanite came to Egypt and preached the Word 
in the southernmost parts of Egypt (Aswan and Nopa).  However, the establishment of the Church 
of Alexandria is credited to the efforts of St Mark the Apostle. 

=== The Beholder of God, St Mark the Apostle, the Evangelist and the Martyr === 

St Mark authored the Holy Gospel of St Mark and founded the Church of Alexandria and is 
considered the Church’s first pope.  St Mark was born in Adenapolis one of the five western 
cities in northern Africa (Adenapolis, Apollonia, Bitolmais, Toshira, and Birnis). 
St Mark’s parents were wealthy but as a result  of barbarian tribes lost most of their wealth 
having to depart for the safety of Jerusalem.  At that time this family was not aware of the plan 
of God waiting upon St Mark in Jerusalem.  According to the book, “Lamp of Darkness” St 
Mark lived about 89 years and 5 months.  St Mark was martyred on April 26, 68 AD.  With this 
in perspective, it can be calculated that St Mark was approximately 21 years of age at the time 
of the Lord Jesus Christ’s birth.  The length of time in which St Mark spent upon the 
Alexandrian See was 7 years, 8 months, and 1 day. 

St Mark was one of the seventy apostles and was the apostle whom was appointed by the Lord 
Jesus Christ to eat the Passover meal at his home.  His home which was known as Zion’s room 
was also the place where the apostles gathered together following the Holy Crucifixion, the 
place where the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles as tongues of fire on the Pentecost, and also 
it is also considered the first Church in the entire world. 

The Gospel recorded the following about our first pope, the apostle, St Mark: 

# The Lord Jesus Christ celebrated the Passover with His holy disciples in St Mark’s home (Matthew 26:18, Mark 14:13, and Luke 12:10-12). 
# Appearance of the Lord after His Glorious Resurrection to the apostles happened in St Mark’s home (John 20:19, Luke 24:33). 
# The coming upon the disciples of the Holy Spirit happened in St Mark’s home (Acts 1:13 and 2:1). 
# St Mark was with St Barnabas and St Paul 47 AD (Acts 11:27-30). 
# From 47 AD to 49 AD, the first preaching trip involving the apostles Paul, Barnabas, Mark, Seleucia, Salamis, Paphos and Perga in Pamphyli (Acts 13:1-13). 
# 50-52 AD St Mark departed with St Barnabas to Cyprus (Acts 15:39). 
# St Mark was with St Paul in Colossy (Colossians 4:10) in 61 AD. 
# 64 AD-66 AD St Mark departed to Rome for St Paul (2 Timothy 4:11). 
# When the first Council was held in Jerusalem under the leadership of St James the Bishop of Jerusalem, to discuss the acceptance of the Gentiles without circumcision, St Mark attended. 
# After St Mark’s preaching with St Barnabas and St Paul, the Holy Spirit led him to preach on his own which brought the saint to Egypt.