In Matariya the Holy Family found shade under a sycamore tree. At that spot Jesus created a well, blessed it and drank from it. The Holy Virgin also used its water to bath Jesus. On the place where she threw out the water, a ‘balsam’ plant grew which gave a beautiful fragrance, that is why it is called the Tree of the Holy Virgin.

Dutch professor Dr. Willem Kuiper of the University of Amsterdam wrote about the importance of Matariya for medieval Dutch and European pilgrims.

You should visit this tree which is used today for the preparation of the Holy Mayron, or the holy oil which has been consecrated from apostolic times from generation to generation by adding a little of the old oil to the new oil which creates the ongoing succession of the blessing from apostolic times unto today.

We will also visit the Catholic Holy Family Church at Matariya, and see the marvelous paintings of the angel appearing to Joseph and instructing him to flee with the Holy Family to Egypt [Matthew 2:13], their entrance to Egypt with the idols moving at their presence [Isaiah 19:1] , and the painting of the massacre of children ordered by King Herod [Matthew 2:18].

What is also remarkable in this area is that everything within the region of the tree is named after Mary. There is a Mary’s church, a Mary’s mosque, Mary’s well and even Mary’s housing blocks.

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© copyright A manger on which the Holy Virgin is believed to have washed Jesus. It was found near the Holy Virgin Tree at Matariya.

© copyright A painting of the Holy Family at the Catholic Holy Family Church at Matariya, illustrating their entrance to Egypt, and showing how the Egyptian idols collapsed in front of them. The saying of Isaiah the prophet is thus fulfilled: “Behold, the LORD rideth on a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence”[Isaiah 19:1 KJB].

© copyright A painting of the order of departure at the Catholic Holy Family Church at Matariya. The angel instructs St. Joseph to take the Holy Virgin and Jesus and flee to Egypt from Herod’s wrath [Matthew 2:13 –15 KJB].

© copyright A painting from the Catholic Holy Family Church at Matariya of the massacre of innocent children. King Herod who gave the order attempted to kill the newborn king, Jesus Christ [Matthew 2:16 KJB]. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: “In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning” [Matthew 2:18 KJB].