The Church of the Holy Virgin in Babylon El-Darag (Babylon of the Steps) (Arabic: كنيسة السيدة العذراء في بابليون الدرج) is a Coptic Orthodox church in Coptic Cairo built in the 11th century AD.[1]
| Coptic Orthodox Church of the Holy Virgin Mary | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 30°0′6.5″N 31°13′50.9″E / 30.001806°N 31.230806°E | |
| Location | Babylon El-Darag, Coptic Cairo |
| Country |  Egypt |
| Denomination | Coptic Orthodox Church |
| History | |
| Founded | 5th century (est.) |
| Dedication | Virgin Mary |
| Consecrated | 11th century |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | church |
| Style | Coptic |
| Administration | |
| Division | The Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate |
| Diocese | Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Old Cairo, Manial and Fum Al-Khalig |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Pope Tawadros II Bishop Selwaniss |
History
editThe Church of the Holy Virgin in Babylon El-Darag was occupied from the 11th to the 15th centuries by several Coptic patriarchs, seven of whom were buried in the church.[2] Pope Zacharias was one of them.
Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria used to pray in the church before assuming papacy.[3] According to tradition, the church was one of the resting places of the Holy Family during their sojourn in Egypt, as well as the location from which Peter sent his epistle (1 Peter 5:13).[2]
The relics of saints Demiana and Simon the Tanner are contained in the church as well.
Architecture
editThe ground plan of the church is typical of other Coptic churches: a narthex, a nave, a choir, northern and southern aisles and three sanctuaries. The northern sanctuary is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the southern sanctuary is used as a shrine. It contains several 19th century icons of the Holy Virgin and saints Demiana, Stephen, Barbara, Shenouda, Paul the Hermit, Anthony, and Peter and Paul.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Coptic Cairo". Egyptology Online. Archived from the original on 2007-12-14.
- ^ a b c Meinardus 1999, p. 192.
- ^ "Holy Family in Egypt". St Mary Mons. Archived from the original on 2007-12-17.
Bibliography
edit- Meinardus, Otto F. A. (1999). Two Thousand Years of Coptic Christianity (2nd ed.). Cairo: American University in Cairo. ISBN 977-424-511-3.