While commemorating the holy family’s entry into Egypt, Minister of Antiquities Khaled al-Anani stated that the family stayed in the country for 3 years and visited 25 Egyptian sites.
Al-Anani’s speech took place in a ceremony that was held on Monday evening on the stage of Al-Manara Conference Center at the Fifth Settlement, new Cairo.
He clarified that the family moved from Sinai eastwards to the Nile Delta until they reached Upper Egypt.
“This occasion has a great historical and religious importance to all Egyptians and it’s considered an integral part of the world religious heritage,” he added.
Because of this visit, the Coptic Church in Egypt got a prestigious position among all churches worldwide.
Since the dawn of time, Egypt was a secure bulwark to whoever sought for peace.
This country was a destination for prophets: Abraham, Joseph, Jacob, Moses beside Virgin Mary.
Al-Anani pointed out that this journey is receiving increasing attention by the Egyptian government, parliament in addition to the civil society.
The Ministry of Antiquities pays a particular attention to this journey; it renovated many sites, churches, ancient monasteries visited by the family.
In 2015, the Hanging Church was renovated and inaugurated in Masr al-Qadima, Also, church of Christian Mary and martyr Abanoub in Samanoud were also restored.
In 2016, the ministry inaugurated the cave and church of Abi Sarja in 'Masr al-Qadima- Old Cairo, after restoration. Parts of the four monasteries of Wadi El Natrun were also done.
In the meanwhile, the Ministry is restoring the Church of Virgin Mary in Jabal el-Tayr in Menia besides developing the site of Mary's tree in el-Matareya.
The Ministry also released a new archive to identify stages of the holy family in Egypt.
The list was issued in both English and Arabic languages under the title of “Stations from the Holy Family’s Journey in Egypt”.
Moreover, a national committee of experts from all concerned fields is preparing a file about the journey in order to be submitted to UNESCO.
After that, the journey’s path would be included in the UNESCO's list of intangible world heritage and the four monasteries of Wadi El Natrun will be listed in the tangible list.
It’s worth mentioning that the ceremony was held in the presence of Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and the Patriarch of St. Mark
Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali, Minister of Immigration Nabila Makram, CultureMinister Enas Abdel Dayem and the former Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb were also among attendees.
Furthermore, Governors of Aswan and south of Sinai as well as a number of ministers and public figures in politics, media, art and literature fields attended the ceremony.
On his part, Tawadros stated that this journey was a gift from God to all Egyptians and will help the whole world understand the real value of Egypt.
Contributed by Salma Yassin
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