The Upper Egypt Tour
Ishnin al-Nasara
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Continuing their flight, the Holy Family reached Ishnin al-Nasara. It is believed that when Jesus reached the village, he felt thirsty, and they saw an empty well, 45 m. deep. Jesus cried, so the Holy Virgin took his finger, held it over the well which produced water at once. After drinking from it the water, the well fell back to a low level. The well is now covered for protection. Yet pilgrims go every year on August 21 as the water of Holy Family’s well rises to a high level at around 4:00 p.m., so that they can get water and blessings from it. Pilgrims also come for the relics of father Mikhael el-Behery, disciple of late 19th century bishop Abraam, bishop of Fayoum. The relics of the saintly priest who died in 1923 were obtained in 1991

In Ishnin al- Nasara, we visit the Church of St. George with its 12 domes representing the 12 disciples, and meet with Father Yo’annis who is preparing his only son to become a priest as he himself is a member of a dynasty of priests, and two brothers and their late father who served as a priest in the neighboring village of Qofadah. Also the other priest in the village, father Yassa is from such a priestly dynasty. There are not many such families left in Egypt

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The Holy Family well at the Church of St. George, covered for protection. The local church restored the well and modernized it using marble. The villagers like this improvement, but it is scorned by people with a sense of antiquity. It shows the difference in taste between villagers and city people.

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A minaret of a mosque close beside the Church of St. George, which is a familiar sight in Egypt.

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A mosque viewed through a cross in the tower of the Church of St. George in Ishnin al-Nasara.

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Christians homes at Ishnin al-Nasara.

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Farther Yo’annis during the mass at the Church of St. George, at Ishnin al-Nasara. We can see the big congregation attending the mass.

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Drs. Cornelis Hulsman speaking to the congregation of the Church of St. George, at Ishnin al-Nasara.

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A family of priests, two brothers and their late father who was a priest as well.

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Farther Yo’annis during the mass at the Church of St. George, at Ishnin al-Nasara. He is carrying a censer and burning incense in the church according to the liturgy of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

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A new tower of the Church of St. George

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The 12 domes of the Church of St. George, at Ishnin al-Nasara seen among the palm trees. They are 12 domes to resemble the 12 apostles of Jesus.

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The bell of the Church of St. George, at Ishnin al-Nasara inside the new tower.

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Children in the village of Ishnin al-Nasara.

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Villagers living near the Church of St. George, at Ishnin al-Nasara.

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A friendly woman feeding her geese. She welcomed us in her house to take photos from the roof. At the back we see the 12 domes of the Church of St. George, at Ishnin al-Nasara, and its guesthouse.

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Farther Yo’annis inside the sanctuary of the Church of St. George, at Ishnin al-Nasara.

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The Eucharistic bread, used in the Orthodox Holy Communion in addition to the Eucharist wine. The bread is leavened, unsalted bread made of the finest flour. Notice the twelve crosses that refer to the twelve disciples, and the five holes referring to the wounds of the spear and the nails of Jesus on the cross. We can also see the word ”Agios” or “Holy” written on the bread three times symbolizing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.