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Coptic Cairo is a part of Old Cairo which comprises of the Babylon Fortress, the Coptic Museum, the Hanging Church, the Greek Church of St. George and many other Coptic Churches and historical sites. It is believed that the Holy Family visited this area and stayed at the site of St. Sergius (Abu Serga) and Bacchus Church.
The Holy Family visited the area during the Flight into Egypt seeking refuge from Herod. Christianity began to spread in Egypt when St. Mark arrived in Alexandria, becoming the first Patriarch, though the religion remained underground during the rule of the Romans. Under the rule of Arcadius (395 - 408) a number of churches were built in Old Cairo. The Copts were not given tolerance until after the Arab conquest in 641. In the early years of Arab rule, the Copts were allowed to build several Churches within the old fortress area of Old Cairo.
The Ben Ezra Synagogue was established in Coptic Cairo in 1115 - in what was previously a Coptic church that was built in the 8th Century. The Copts needed to sell it in order to raise funds to pay taxes to Ibn Tulun.
The churches of Coptic Cairo are
St. Mary Church (Haret Elroum)
St. Mercurius Church
St. Sergius and Bacchus Church (Abu Serga)
The Hanging Church
Church of the Holy Virgin (Babylon El-Darag)
St. Barbara Church
The Church of Saint Menas.
the Hunging Church |
