The Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Virgin Mary, also known as the Hanging Church is one of the oldest churches in Egypt, while its history in this location dates back to the 3rd century AD.
The Hanging Church bears this name because of its location on an outpost of the Fortress of Babylon, a Roman fortress in Coptic Cairo (Old Cairo). The aisle of the church hovers above a passage. The church is accessible by climbing twenty-nine steps. Older travelers in Cairo called it the "Church of the Staircase." of the church. The entrance from the road is through a golden gate, which is located under a pointed stone arch. The facade dating from the 19th century with the twin bell towers is then visible, in the background of a narrow courtyard, which is decorated with modern art forms of biblical representations. At the top of the stairs and after the entrance there is another small courtyard, which leads to the outer portico dating from the 11th century.
The Hanging Church is the most famous Coptic Christian church in Cairo, as well as probably the first to be built in the architectural form of the Basilica. It is believed that it was erected during the period during which Isaac (690-92) was Patriarch, although it is believed that there was a pre-ecclesiastical structure, although not in the same place, with its date being estimated in the 3rd or 4th century. However, the earliest reference to the church was in a phrase in the biography of Patriarch Joseph (831–49) when the governor of Egypt visited the church. The church was largely rebuilt by Pope Abraham (975–78), and has been renovated on several other occasions including an extensive renovation and renovation of the church and its adjoining areas, which was completed in 2011. Objects of historical value, which were no longer in use and were transferred to the Coptic Museum.
In this particular church it is said that several appearances of the Virgin Mary have taken place. It is said that he appeared in the sleep of the Coptic Pope Abraham during the 970s AD, in the context of the narration regarding the movement through the faith of Mount Mukatam.
Seat of the Pope
The seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria was, historically, Alexandria, Egypt. However, as the ruling forces left Alexandria for Cairo after the Arab invasion of Egypt, during the reign of Pope Christodoulos, Cairo and the Hanging Church became the permanent and official residence of Pope the Coptic in 1047.
Disputes erupted between the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus and the Church of El Moualaka over the Patriarch's wish that his ordination take place in the Hanging Church, a ceremony traditionally held in Saints Sergius and Bacchus.
Holy icons
The Hanging Church contains 110 icons, the oldest of which dates back to the 8th century, however most of them date back to the 18th century. Nahla Al-Barati Bey donated some of them as donations, in 1898, when he was the guardian of the church. The iconostasis of the central sanctuary is made of ebony and ivory, while at the top are icons of the Virgin Mary and the Twelve Apostles. The main Holy Table (Egyptian Arabic: haikal) is made of ebony and ivory, which is carved into sections bearing a number of Coptic Cross designs dating from about the 12th or 13th century. Above the iconostasis is a series of seven large icons, the central one of which represents Christ sitting on the Throne. On one side, there are icons of the Virgin Mary, the Archangel Gabriel and St. Peter. Opposite are icons of St. John the Baptist, Archangel Michael and St. Paul.
The Hanging Church bears this name because of its location on an outpost of the Fortress of Babylon, a Roman fortress in Coptic Cairo (Old Cairo). The aisle of the church hovers above a passage. The church is accessible by climbing twenty-nine steps. Older travelers in Cairo called it the "Church of the Staircase." of the church. The entrance from the road is through a golden gate, which is located under a pointed stone arch. The facade dating from the 19th century with the twin bell towers is then visible, in the background of a narrow courtyard, which is decorated with modern art forms of biblical representations. At the top of the stairs and after the entrance there is another small courtyard, which leads to the outer portico dating from the 11th century.
The Hanging Church is the most famous Coptic Christian church in Cairo, as well as probably the first to be built in the architectural form of the Basilica. It is believed that it was erected during the period during which Isaac (690-92) was Patriarch, although it is believed that there was a pre-ecclesiastical structure, although not in the same place, with its date being estimated in the 3rd or 4th century. However, the earliest reference to the church was in a phrase in the biography of Patriarch Joseph (831–49) when the governor of Egypt visited the church. The church was largely rebuilt by Pope Abraham (975–78), and has been renovated on several other occasions including an extensive renovation and renovation of the church and its adjoining areas, which was completed in 2011. Objects of historical value, which were no longer in use and were transferred to the Coptic Museum.
In this particular church it is said that several appearances of the Virgin Mary have taken place. It is said that he appeared in the sleep of the Coptic Pope Abraham during the 970s AD, in the context of the narration regarding the movement through the faith of Mount Mukatam.
Seat of the Pope
The seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria was, historically, Alexandria, Egypt. However, as the ruling forces left Alexandria for Cairo after the Arab invasion of Egypt, during the reign of Pope Christodoulos, Cairo and the Hanging Church became the permanent and official residence of Pope the Coptic in 1047.
Disputes erupted between the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus and the Church of El Moualaka over the Patriarch's wish that his ordination take place in the Hanging Church, a ceremony traditionally held in Saints Sergius and Bacchus.
Holy icons
The Hanging Church contains 110 icons, the oldest of which dates back to the 8th century, however most of them date back to the 18th century. Nahla Al-Barati Bey donated some of them as donations, in 1898, when he was the guardian of the church. The iconostasis of the central sanctuary is made of ebony and ivory, while at the top are icons of the Virgin Mary and the Twelve Apostles. The main Holy Table (Egyptian Arabic: haikal) is made of ebony and ivory, which is carved into sections bearing a number of Coptic Cross designs dating from about the 12th or 13th century. Above the iconostasis is a series of seven large icons, the central one of which represents Christ sitting on the Throne. On one side, there are icons of the Virgin Mary, the Archangel Gabriel and St. Peter. Opposite are icons of St. John the Baptist, Archangel Michael and St. Paul.
0 Comments