Holy Family in Egypt - Tour the sites and meet the people at Holy Family sites in Egypt

The Upper Egypt Tour

Gabal al-Tayr

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Crossing the Nile from Samalut, just as Christian pilgrims have done for centuries, the Holy Family went to Gabal al-Tayr or ‘Mountain of the Birds,’ on a cliff on the East bank of the Nile. The location is so named because of migratory birds that would rest on its top. It is also called Gabal al-Kaff or ‘mountain of the palm’. The story behind this name is that when the Holy Family came here, a pharaonic temple stood on the place where the church is today. The idols collapsed in front of them fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 19:1, consequently, the priests became angry. At this moment Jesus put his hand on the mountain and split it in two, where they centered the cleft, to hide from the angry priests. Others say Jesus protected the Holy Family from a stone falling upon them and consequently left his handprint.

The best way to visit the church is to climb the 166 steps from the Nile Valley up to the church of Gabal al-Tayr, which was once part of a monastery. From above, you certainly have a magnificent view of the Nile and its fascinating green valley. The church is one of Egypt’s most important pilgrimage sites. Close to the church are houses that are used by pilgrims during the church’s celebrations.

Until a few years ago pilgrims found a few kilometers south of Gebel al-Tayr the worshipping tree. The tree was unfortunately cut by squatters in January 2001. They feared the increasing interest in the tree could result in authorities pushing them off the land they were using.

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Beautiful scenery of the Nile valley seen from the Church of the Holy Virgin at Gabal al-Tayr. The scenery is the best of the Nile in Egypt.

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A sign on the wall of the Church of the Holy Virgin at Gabal al-Tayr providing information about its history, both in English and Arabic.

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Visitors at the Church of the Holy Virgin

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A close up of the cave where the Holy Family stayed

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Father Matta is blessing and praying for a visitor inside the Church of Gabal al-Tayr.

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The remains of the “shagarat al–abid” or the worshiping tree 2km south of Gabal al -Tayr, which bowed to Jesus when he passed by.

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The tree named “shagarat al–abid” or the worshiping tree 2km south of Gabal al -Tayr, before being cut down. According to tradition this tree bowed to Jesus when he passed by. (Scan from the book “Be Thou There; the Holy Family’s Journey in Egypt,” AUC Press, Cairo, 2001)

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From the Nile valley, a view of the Church of the Holy Virgin perched on a cliff at Gabal Al-Tayr. Seen also are dwellings used by pilgrims during celebrations.

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A sixth or seventh century arch with intricate stone work at the entrance leading to the Church of the Holy Virgin at Gabal al -Tayr.

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Ancient pillars in the Church of the Holy Virgin at Gabal al –Tayr. In one of the pillars a baptistery has been built which is not seen in any other church in Egypt. These pillars are carved in the rock of the cliff.