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We proceed further to the Church of the Holy Virgin
at Harit Zuwayla, near the area of al-Muski, a popular trading district
in Cairo. This was the Orthodox patriarchal church from the 14th century
to 1660. The church is surrounded by ancient narrow streets where also
many Christians have their shops. Some sell pictures and frames for
framing pictures of saints.
The church has some wonderful icons, one of them
is a beautiful icon of the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt.
The church is seven meters below ground level. Pumps
run day and night in order to remove water seepage in an effort to save
its foundation. The building is in desperate need of restoration.
Near the church’s altar we find a sacred
well which is believed to have been blessed by the Holy Family and whose
waters are said to cure illnesses but is now mixed with polluted ground
water.
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Part of the Church of the Holy Virgin at Harit Zuwayla,
where we can see the ground water that is destructive for the structure
of the church. The church is seven meters below ground level. Pumps
run day and night in order to remove this water. (photo: Alexander
Onderwaater) |
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A boy and a girl praying before an icon in the Church
of the Holy Virgin at Harit Zuwayla. (photo: Alexander Onderwaater) |
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An icon of the Holy Virgin carrying Jesus, put in a
separate room inside the Church of the Holy Virgin at Harit Zuwayla.
(photo: Alexander Onderwaater) |
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The roof of the Church of the Holy Virgin at Harit Zuwayla
supported by beams to prevent collapse. This shows the urgent need
for restoration. (photo: Alexander Onderwaater) |
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The entrance of the Convent of the Holy Virgin at Harit
Zuwayla. (photo: Alexander Onderwaater) |
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Outside the Church of the Holy Virgin at Harit Zuwayla
in Muski, a photo taken from another angle. (photo: Alexander Onderwaater) |
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Plan of the church of the Holy Virgin at Harit Zuwayla. (plan: Dr. Peter Grossmann) |
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Outside the Church of the Holy Virgin at Harit Zuwayla in Muski. (photo: Alexander Onderwaater). |
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A crowded street near Al-Azhar, near the district of al-Muski. |
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A corner of the Church of the Holy Virgin at Harit Zuwayla,
supported by beams to prevent collapse. This shows the urgent need
for restoration. (photo: Alexander Onderwaater) |
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Ground water near the altar of the Church of the Holy
Virgin at Harit Zuwayla (photo: Alexander Onderwaater). |
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A man from Shubra al-Kheima came with his daughter to
have his crippled legs blessed from the ground water near the altar
of the church. Near this altar is a sacred well which is believed
to have been blessed by the Holy Family and whose waters were said
to cure illnesses but is now mixed with polluted ground water. Common
and simple minded people still believe in the healing powers of
this water because it is located in an important church close to
the altar. (photo: Alexander Onderwaater) |
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An icon of St. Mark the Evangelist in the Church of
the Holy Virgin at Harit Zuwayla. (photo: Alexander Onderwaater) |
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A girl lightening a candle before an icon of St. George
in the Church of the Holy Virgin at Harit Zuwayla. (photo: Alexander
Onderwaater) |
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A shop near the Church of the Holy Virgin at Harit Zuwayla.
There are many Christian shops in this area, selling pictures and
making frames for the photos of the saints like this shop. (photo:
Alexander Onderwaater) |
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