Principles – «To…Egypt» – 4/6/2016

   Few days ago, Egypt celebrated the commemoration of the Holy Family’s journey to its land on the first of June, when they escaped from “Herod”, the king who sought to kill Jesus Christ. As soon as Joseph the Carpenter had realized the danger that surrounded the Boy and His Mother, thanks to the dream he had dreamt of, they escaped off at night to Egypt. The Holy Family stayed there for about 3 years and a half.

Journey’s route:

   The Holy Family left Bethlehem in Palestine to Gaza till they reached Al Zaraneik protectorate, west of El-Arish to enter north of Egypt to Pelusium, Al Farma that lied in the middle of Port said and El-Arish, to Tell Basta or Bubastis near Al Zaqaziq at El Sharqyia governorate. Then, they headed south to Musturod and moved to Belbeis or Philips at Sharquia.
   Then They headed north to Mynit Samanoud or Menyet Genag to pass the Nile and enter Samanoud (its Coptic origin is Gemnouty-Zeb-Nasr) in Delta, then to Burullus, Sakha at Kafr el-Sheikh governorate. After that they passed Rasheed to west of Delta and headed south to Wadi El Natrun, to south of Cairo toward Al-Matarya and Ein Shams districts to the Old Cairo area. During that period, they rested at Al-Zeitun and passed by Downtown Cairo at Zowela Avenue, where Saint Mary old Church Al Eizbaoya at Clot Bey district is situated.
   Then the Holy Family moved from Old Cairo in the south to EL Maadi district, went by boat toward Upper Egypt passing by Ishnin an Nassara and a place called Beit Yasso’ or “Jesus’ House” at the eastern part of Al Bahnasa, now it is called Sandfa a village at Beni Mazar then to Deir-Algrnos at Maghagha, Bahnasa to the south at Samalout and passed the Nile toward the east where Monastery of St. Mary is situated at Gabal El-tyr “El-tyr mountain” east of Samalout heading to El-Sheikh Eibada village at beer El Sahaba- Insna passing by Beni Hassan Village in the south. Afterwards, they passed the Nile again to El-Rouda village in the west, where El-Ashmunein is situated. Afterwards, they reached Dairut in the south of Mallawi or Deer el Malak.
   The Holy Family passed the Nile in the east to reach Tal Al Amarnah then sailed to the south heading to Dairut El-Shareef to Qousqam village (el-Qusiya nowadays) to enter Meer (mirah) west of el-Qusiya then Mountain of Qousqam at Deir EL-Meharaq “El-Meharaq monastery” where the Holy Family stayed for 6 months and 10 days at a cave that turned now to be the altar of Saint Mary old church. They rested there till they went back to Palestine.
Journey of the Holy Family taught us many lessons and principles like….

Anba Ermiah,
General Bishop& President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center