The Holy Family in Egypt: Journey, Sites & Spiritual Significance

The Holy Family in Egypt was a sacred journey at the command of God to spread His message until the time of salvation.

The main purpose of this article is to provide every traveler with all the information and facts about the Holy Family in Egypt.

This article was written by a group of highly skilled and experienced tour guides, experts and scholars who know all the history and facts about the Holy Family In Egypt.

This article provides answers to a number of important questions such as did Jesus live in Egypt, where did Jesus go in Egypt, and many other important questions. Learn about one of the most important stories told in human history.

The legendary divine story of the Holy Family occurred more than 2,000 years ago when a group of wise men declared Jesus a prophet of God and the next king of the Jews, which is why the ruler of Judea, King Herod, decided to end his life.

The Holy Family fled from Bethlehem to Egypt where Herod had no political power after the angel warned Joseph not to leave the earth with Jesus and the Virgin Mary.

They started their journey from northern Sinaia until they reached Al-Farma.

The places where the Holy Family resided were chosen to build churches and monasteries.

Then the Holy Family headed to Basta Hill, where Jesus Christ blessed the land, causing a spring of water to erupt from the ground. The next stop was Mostorod, also known as the el Mahamaah which means bathing place.

The name was given to the city where the Virgin Mary bathed the baby Jesus and washed his clothes. Then they headed to Belbeis, where they sat under the shade of a sycamore tree, which was known as the Tree of the Virgin Mary.

When the Holy Family crossed the Nile River to the city of Samanoud, Jesus Christ, while in Sakha, touched a stone and water began to emerge from it.

Then the Holy Family made its way to Wadi El-Natroun, western Egypt. Wadi El-Natroun is known as the first monastic home on earth to practice chastity and contemplate God.

Then the Holy Family finally headed to the Matareya and Ain Shams areas in Cairo, where Jesus Christ dug a blessed water well. When the Virgin Mary washed Jesus’ garment and poured water on the ground, a balsam tree that was used to prepare holy chrism blossomed.

The Holy Family entered Old Cairo, then took refuge in adjacent to the cave that became the Abu Sargah Church, located within the walls of Babylon Citadel. This entire area has become a pilgrimage center for people from all over the world.

Then they moved to Maadi, where the Church of the Virgin Mary was built across the Nile. The family then boarded a boat and sailed down the Nile to the south.

The Holy Family made its way to Minya, where it crossed the eastern bank of the Nile and landed in a place where the Monastery of the Virgin Mary was built on Gabel Al  Kef, “Palm Mountain,” where Jesus Christ left a blessed and eternal imprint. A stone found in the mountain.

From this place, the family crossed the Nile from the west to the city of Qussqam in Assiut, where they stayed for 6 months, which was longer than any other place they stayed in during their time in Egypt, in addition to the Moharraq Monastery in the same place.

It was built when an angel appeared in Joseph’s dream telling him that Herod had died and that they should return to Palestine. The Holy Family then made the same journey back to Palestine after spending three years in Egypt.

The Holy Family’s journey through Egypt is filled with sacred stops, one of which is the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Mostorod. This historical church is renowned for being a significant site on the family’s path.

Known as the Church of the Blessed, it is believed to be where the Holy Family found shelter during their time in Egypt. Inside, an icon of the Holy Family commemorates this profound moment in Christian history, where the Blessed Virgin Mary and her child, Jesus, sought refuge.

The church of Mary in Mostorod is a testament to this magical journey, attracting pilgrims who come to honor the sacred footsteps left behind by the Holy Family.

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Where did the Holy Family stay in Egypt?

The Holy Family took refuge in Egypt and continued their way across the country south.

The Holy Family passed by the Citadel of Babylon in ancient Egypt and saw the Pyramids of Giza. According to tradition, there was a palm tree in Giza under which the Virgin Mary nursed the baby Jesus.

Why the Holy Family came to Egypt?

The Holy Family needed to flee to Egypt, where King Herod could not exercise any political powers and, therefore, would not be able to harm the baby Jesus. Upon arriving in Egypt, the Holy Family frequently moved positions to avoid the arrival of Herod’s spies.

When did the Holy Family return from Egypt?

They arrived in Egypt after a 65-kilometre journey from Palestine. They lived for three years after Herod’s death in 4 BC. When Joseph dreamed that returning to Israel was safe. The family traveled to Nazareth, covering a distance of no less than 170 kilometers.

How many years was the Holy Family in Egypt?

The Holy Family crossed 26 locations throughout the province as they sought refuge during their three-and-a-half year hiding. The Holy Family began its journey through North Sinai, where it entered Egypt. The Holy Family constantly changed its location to avoid the arrival of Herod’s spies.

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The first major city they crossed was Farama a.k.aalso known as Ancient Pelusium which has a 1st century church built after the introduction of Christianity by Saint. Sign.

This place also includes many churches and monasteries from the ancient and modern era.

They ventured to Mostorod also known as to Mostorod a.k.a el Mahamaah  (the bathing place) where the Virgin Mary bathed Jesus and washed his clothes.

In the north of Cairo, the next destination was a small town near Mostorod. “Tel Basta” where Jesus blessed the earth causing a spring of water to emerge from the ground.

The third stop was “Belbeis,” where they sat under the shade of a sycamore tree that later became known as the “Tree of the Virgin Mary.”

The holy Family crossed the Nile River to the city of Samanoud, then the city of Sakha, also known as “Belbeis.” Peka Issous “Jesus’ Foot” is inspired by a rock with an engraving of the foot of the baby Jesus. Also on their route was Wadi El-Natroun which later became home to several monasteries reflecting well-preserved Coptic art.

After that, they entered the city of Cairo through the districts of El Matareya and Ain Shams, then headed to ancient Egypt (formerly known as Babylon), which was a huge fortress that turned into the infamous Abu Serga Church and the legendary Hanging Church.

Then the Holy Family headed to Maadi, where they boarded a sailboat that took them to southern Egypt, and on the Maadi pier, the Church of the Virgin Mary was built.

The family then headed to Minya, where they crossed the eastern bank of the Nile to the top of Jebel El-Kef (Palm Mountain), where the laurel tree prostrated itself before Jesus as he passed, and is referred to as Al-Abed or the Worshiper.

The family then crossed the western bank of the Nile to Mount Qussqam in Assiut, where they stayed six months longer than anywhere else in Egypt, and in the same area the Muharraq Monastery was built, and in the same place also, Malak.

He appeared to Joseph in a dream, telling him to return to Palestine as King Herod had died.

Many churches and monasteries were built along their route, and the Holy Family Journey has taken many spiritualists, explorers and travelers as a very popular attraction.

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The Church of Mary Mostorod, located to the left of Cairo, is a significant Coptic site in Egypt with a rich history dating back to the twelfth century AD. Tradition holds that the Holy Family entered Egypt and rested in this area during their flight.

The church’s architecture reflects a classic Byzantine style with domes and thick walls, providing both spiritual and physical protection through the centuries. This sacred site is an important stop for pilgrims tracing the Holy Family’s journey through Egypt.

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The Holy Family traveled in Egypt for about three and a half years. During this time, they passed through 26 important places across the country. Each place represents part of their journey to find safety.

They first entered Egypt through northern Sinai. While they were in Egypt, they kept moving from one place to another, looking for safe places to stay and trying to escape from Herod’s spies.

Today, these places are respected and honored because they show the Holy Family’s strong search for safety and peace.

More than 2,000 years ago, a group of wise men spoke about Jesus as a prophet chosen by God who was meant to become a great leader of the Jews. This made King Herod afraid, so he tried to stop what he saw as a growing threat.

To stay safe, the Holy Family left Bethlehem and made a dangerous journey to Egypt. They traveled through the northern part of Sinai and reached the village of Farama. The places where they stayed later became holy sites and churches and monasteries were built there.

After a difficult journey of about 65 kilometers from Palestine, the Holy Family reached Egypt where they stayed for nearly three years. They could only return after King Herod died in 4 B.C. At that time, Joseph had a dream in which God told him it was safe to go back to Israel.

The family then traveled back to Nazareth, a trip of at least 170 kilometers. Their return to Nazareth marked the end of an important period of their lives that they had spent in Egypt.

So they started their journey back. The path they followed was a little different from the one they had used before. They went to the Western Mountain, about 8 km southwest of Assiut. Later, during the Christian period, a monastery called the Convent of the Virgin Mary was built on top of the mountain to honor their visit.

Finally, they reached Old Cairo, then Matariya and then Mahama. From there, they mostly followed the same route they had taken on their way from Sinai back to Palestine.

Al-Farma

The Holy Family traveled from Bethlehem to Gaza and then to the Zaraneeq area (Al-Felusiyat), 37 km west of Al-Arish. They entered Egypt from the north through Al-Farma (Bloziom) which is between Al-Arish and Port Said.

Mostorod

Its name was Mahmah because it was a place for bathing. There, the Virgin Mary bathed Jesus and washed His clothes. A spring of water appeared there and it still exists today.

Tel Basta

The Holy Family went into the city of Tal Basta, near Zagazig in the Sharqia Governorate. The people there treated them badly, so they left.

Belbeis

In the Sharqia Governorate, the Holy Family found shelter at a tree called the “Virgin Mary Tree.” On their way back, they also passed through Belbeis.

The Church of St.John

After staying for some time in Belbeis, the Holy Family traveled north and went through the town that is now called Zagazig.

The Holy Family at Meniet Sammanoud

Then they went to Meniet Sammanoud, also called Meniet Genah and passed through the town of Daqadous. In Daqadous, there is a church of the Virgin Mary. There is also a well where the Holy Family drank water.

After that, they crossed the Nile to the city of Sammanoud (also known as Enmity) in the Delta. The people there welcomed them warmly and treated them with great kindness. Even today, there is a large granite bowl which, according to local tradition, was used by the Virgin Mary to knead dough. There is also a well that people believe was blessed by the Christ Child Himself.

Then, heading northwest again, the Holy Family traveled to the city of Sakha, in the Burullus lake area, in what is now Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate.

The Holy Family at Sakha Town

The Coptic name of the town, “PekhaIssous,” means “Foot of Jesus.” This is because the Holy Child’s footprint was left here, carved into a rock. The rock was kept safe but hidden for many centuries to protect it from being stolen. It was found again on 27 September 1984.

The Holy Family’s yearly journey from Sammanoud to Sakha would have taken them through many towns and cities that are now in the Governorates of Gharbia and Kafr El-Sheikh. According to some local stories, they may have also passed through the desert areas of Belqas.

Wadi El-Natrun

The family started their trip to Wadi El-Natrun. They crossed the Nile through the Rosetta branch and Jesus and the Virgin Mary blessed this place.

Matariya

The family crossed the Nile again to travel to Matareya and Ain Shams. There, they sat under a tree to stay safe from the hot sun. This tree is still known today as the Tree of Mary.

At that place, Jesus made a spring of water come out from the ground and drank from it. The Virgin Mary also used the water to wash His clothes.

Old Cairo

The area now called Old Cairo, also known as Misr el Kadima, is one of the most important places visited by the Holy Family. Even though they stayed only a short time, their presence left a lasting spiritual impact.

The governor of Fustat became angry when idols fell as Jesus came near and he tried to harm the Child. To be safe, the family took shelter in a cave. Later, the Church of Abu Serga (St. Sergius) was built above this cave.

Today, this church and the whole area of the Fortress of Babylon are important pilgrimage sites, visited not only by Egyptians but also by Christians from all over the world.

Maadi

They reached the Maadi area before traveling to Upper Egypt across the Nile. It is called Maadi because the Holy Family “passed through” this place. The ladder they used to go down to the Nile is still there today.

The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates this feast on June 1 on the Gregorian calendar and 24 Pashons on the Coptic calendar. It is one of the Seven Minor Feasts of the Lord.

When the Holy Family entered Egypt, the Virgin Mary was carrying baby Jesus in her arms. Joseph was beside her and Salome was with them.

This feast also celebrates the strong link between Egypt and Christianity. It is an important celebration that honors the time when Jesus came to Egypt. Every year, the Church remembers this event because it shows the spiritual connection between the Holy Family’s journey and Christians today.

So, the Lord wants us to follow His example, walk in His way and stay away from sin and evil. This escape is like a plan for our lives, something we should always remember, trust, think about and live by.

Jesus’ coming into Egypt also had a spiritual purpose. It was to prepare the way for building a church for the Lord in the heart of Egypt and to end the pagan temples that had spread across the land and led people away from the truth.

Because of this, we can understand that the Holy Family’s journey to Egypt was not by chance. It had an important goal  to establish God’s house in Egypt.

The Holy Bible shows the connection between Jesus, Mary, Joseph and Egypt. Egypt’s role is shown clearly in the Gospel of Matthew, where Joseph is told in a dream to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt to protect Him from King Herod who wanted to kill all young boys.

In Matthew 2:13-15 (NIV), it says: After they left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ the angel said, ‘take the child and his mother and go to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, because Herod is going to try to kill the child.’ So Joseph got up, took Jesus and His mother during the night, and went to Egypt. He stayed there until Herod died. This fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: Out of Egypt I called my son.

This passage shows the link between Jesus, Mary, Joseph and Egypt. An angel told Joseph to take his family to Egypt to keep Jesus safe from King Herod. This also fulfilled a prophecy from the Old Testament (Hosea 11:1), which says that just as God called Israel out of Egypt, He also called His Son, Jesus, out of Egypt. This shows the connection between Jesus and the history of God’s people.

After Herod died, the Holy Family returned from Egypt. Matthew 2:19-21 (NIV) says: After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream in Egypt. Get up, take the child and his mother and go to Israel, because those trying to kill the child are dead. So Joseph got up, took Jesus and His mother and went to Israel.

This story strengthens the connection between Jesus, Mary, Joseph and Egypt. It tells how the Holy Family came back to Israel after Herod’s death. Their time in Egypt was an important part of Jesus’ early life and fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy.

What is the story of the Holy Family?

Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph are members of the Holy Family. The central figure is the Word made flesh, the Son of God who became man to save the world

Where did Jesus stay in Egypt?

Historical sources reveal the residence of the Holy Family in Matareyah. The apocryphal Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew, the Coptic and Egyptian synaxar, as well as the stories of visitors to the Holy Land during the Middle Ages, detail the Holy Family in this place.

Why is the Holy Family so important?

The Holy Family speaks about the reality of every family. Their love gave birth to God’s love in the person of Jesus. God’s love is shared with Joseph and Mary, and their love is shared in divine love, which is a communion of persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Who are the three members of the Holy Family?

The Holy Family is Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Of these three, only Jesus (who is God) can be properly worshiped.