Church of the Virgin Mary, Coptic church in Cairo, Egypt
The Church of the Virgin Mary is a Coptic church in Cairo built on a basilican plan, with three domes positioned above the altars. Inside, it contains several sanctuaries, meeting rooms, and a library holding old manuscripts.
The church was originally built and then heavily damaged in 1321, after which it was rebuilt. Following that reconstruction, it served as the seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria for around 120 years.
The central sanctuary holds an iconostasis made of ebony with ivory details, showing thirteen religious images of the Virgin Mary and the Twelve Apostles. These carvings are considered a key example of Coptic sacred art and draw both worshippers and art lovers alike.
A corridor connects the different sanctuaries, rooms, and library so visitors can move through the church in one continuous walk. Allowing enough time to take in both the architecture and the interior furnishings makes for a more rewarding visit.
A water well near the southern sanctuary is said by local tradition to have received blessings during the Holy Family's journey through Egypt. This belief ties the church to one of the earliest chapters of Christian presence in the country.
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