At the foot of the great Christian necropolis of Minya at Sawada on the East bank of the Nile is the church of Saint Apa Hor, a third century martyr. The ancient church, which is cut into the rock like that of Gabal al-Tayr, is in itself unique and was probably once a Ptolemaic temple. Local Christians believe the Holy Family must have past through such an important historical site. The bishopric of Minya has demolished the nearby church of Dimyana in an effort to replace it with a large cathedral.
 © copyright An artists’ conception of Jesus Christ. Below this carving can be seen that indicates this church probably once has been a Ptolemaic temple. |
 © copyright Entrance of the Church of Apa Hor. The church is built in the rocks and located in one of the largest Christian necropolis in Egypt. To the left, places where once people had been buried. |
 © copyright. Photo: Antje Schneider The construction of the new Church of Saint Dimyana at Sawada, Minya in September 2002. |
 © copyright John Crocker 2003 Work on new cathedral progresses. |
 © copyright Dome of the Church of Apa Hor at Sawada, Minya. |
 © copyrightInterior of the Church of Apa Hor, 2 km east of Minya. |
 © copyright Worshiper lighting a candle |
 © copyright The large Christian necropolis seen from the Church of Apa Hor. Part of the Christian community lives here. |
 © copyright A church worker showing Drs. Cornelis Hulsman the old iconostasis put outside the church of St. Dimyana at Sawada, March 2002. |
 © copyright. Antje Schneider The 19th century iconostasis of the Church of St. Dimyana was severely damaged by neglect of workers in September 2002. |