Belbeis and the Holy Family Journey in Egypt

The flight of the Holy Family into Egypt is one of the most spiritually powerful, historically significant, and culturally rich events of the ancient world. As described in the Gospel of Matthew, the Virgin Mother Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus from Bethlehem to escape the persecution of King Herod and find protection across the border in Egypt. During their three and a half years’ stay in the country, they crossed more than 3,500 km of desert sands, coastal trading towns of northern Egypt, the fertile Nile Delta, Old Cairo, and the limestone cliffs of Upper Egypt.

While Coptic Cairo, the river ports of the Nile Delta, and the desert monasteries of Wadi El Natrun are key stops along the national trail, the ancient city of Belbeis in the Sharqia Governorate has a special place in the journey of the Holy Family. Known as a city of refuge, rest, and hospitality, Belbeis offered the Holy Family a safe haven to rest during their early journey across the Nile Delta. Below is a detailed travel guide about the history, sacred traditions, and practical tips to experience Belbeis in the footsteps of the Holy Family.

1. The Historical Environment and Setting of Belbeis

To understand the significance of Belbeis on the route of the Holy Family, it is important to learn about the geography and early history of the region. Located along the eastern frontiers of the ancient Nile Delta, Belbeis was an important crossroads for trade and military campaigns during the first century AD. It was a major stop for merchants and caravans traveling through the Sinai desert from the Levant, Palestine, and Arabia into Egypt.

Ancient travelers heading toward the interior of the Nile Delta from the eastern border often reached Belbeis as their first agricultural and urban stop following the rocky forts and narrow passes of the Sinai desert. The area around Belbeis was relatively wet and fertile, with fields of grain, date palms, and ancient shade trees lining the road for weary travelers.

When the Virgin Mother Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus were approaching Belbeis from the east, they were likely trying to escape from the noisy crowd and the dangerous confrontations that had occurred in Tell Basta (the city of cats) following the destruction of the pagan idols by Joseph. Looking for a safe place to stop and avoid the Roman garrisons and unfriendly crowds, the Holy Family headed for the nearby city of Belbeis.

2. The Story of the Shelter in the Tree

According to legends, Coptic traditions, and medieval chronicles, the local people and the environment welcomed the Holy Family with care and respect when they arrived in the outskirts of Belbeis.

Resting Beneath the Tree

After several days of hot weather and the exhausting journey through the Delta, the Virgin Mother Mary and Joseph stopped briefly in the outskirts of Belbeis to rest beneath the shade of a wild tree growing along the roadside. According to Coptic tradition, when the Virgin Mary placed the infant Jesus beneath the cover of the tree, its branches lowered to provide protection from the hot sun and hide the Holy Family from potential enemies.

The tree has since been known locally as The Tree of the Virgin Mary (Shagarat Mariam in Belbeis). It is said that as the Virgin Mary rested beneath the shade of the tree, the local women and men of Belbeis showed up to greet the Holy Family and invite them to spend the night in the village. In contrast to their unpleasant experience in Bubastis, the residents of Belbeis welcomed the Holy Family with open arms, offering them food and drink.

The Soldiers’ Experience and Legacy in Belbeis

An interesting legend from medieval times claims that a group of local soldiers who were stationed along the eastern frontier had been fascinated by the miracle performed by the Virgin Mary and the protection granted to the Holy Family by her divine power.

After seeing the Holy Family passing through the village of Belbeis, the local soldiers respected their privacy and allowed them to continue their journey westward toward the central Delta without being bothered or harassed by the Roman garrisons along the way.

The tree under which the Holy Family rested in the village of Belbeis became a popular destination for local Christians and Muslims for centuries to come. Many medieval travelers and chroniclers mentioned the famous shade tree in Belbeis, noting that local mothers used to bring their sick children to rest under its branches and seek healing and protection.

3. The Spiritual Legacy and Cultural Traditions of Belbeis

Although the famous tree of Belbeis eventually withered away with the passage of time, the memory of the Holy Family’s journey continues to live on in the local traditions and sacred sites of the city. Today, the legacy of the Holy Family in Belbeis is best experienced through the local churches and their rich cultural traditions.

The Church of St. George and the Virgin Mary

In the modern city of Belbeis, the local Coptic community remembers the event through the Church of Saint George and the Virgin Mary built over the traditional site associated with the Holy Family. Inside the church, modern and ancient Coptic icons depict the image of Mary caring for the infant Jesus under the shade of the tree in Belbeis.

The Local Environment and Belbeis on the Larger Trail

Belbeis plays a special role in the larger trail of the Holy Family through the Nile Delta.

From Tell Basta to Belbeis: Following the events in Bubastis (Tell Basta), and the destruction of the pagan idols there, the Virgin Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus traveled southwest toward the village of Belbeis seeking safe refuge and protection offered by its inhabitants.

From Belbeis to Samannoud: Having rested in the outskirts of Belbeis, the Holy Family continued their journey northwest toward the central Nile Delta town of Samannoud, where they were welcomed and where Jesus blessed the ancient water well.

From Samannoud to Sakha and Cairo: Following their stop in Samannoud, the journey of the Holy Family continued north to Sakha (the town of the footprint stone) and then south to the city of Old Cairo via Mustorod.

4. Belbeis in Egypt’s National Holy Family Trail Project

In recent years, as the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and local authorities have worked to promote the twenty-five major waypoints of the Holy Family trail as an international site of pilgrimage and development throughout Egypt, attention has turned to the local attractions of Belbeis. In addition to upgrading road infrastructure leading to Belbeis from Cairo and Zagazig, signs indicating the Holy Family Trail have been posted to help international visitors and local citizens alike discover this unique historic and cultural trail.

In the local museums and visitor centers of the Sharqia Governorate, exhibitions and displays highlight the cultural and spiritual legacy of Belbeis as an important stop for the Holy Family alongside Tell Basta.

5. Travel Guide to Belbeis

To help you discover the history and unique environment of Belbeis on the trail of the Holy Family, here are a few practical tips for your visit:

Where is it? Belbeis is a small provincial city in the south of the Sharqia Governorate located some 55 km to the northeast of central Cairo and 20 km to the south of Zagazig.

How to get there? The easiest option is to hire a car or join a group tour from Cairo. The drive to Belbeis takes one hour to one hour and fifteen minutes via the Cairo-Belbeis Desert Road or the Belbeis Agricultural Highway.

When to go? The best time to visit Belbeis is between October and April when the weather is warm but not excessively hot. A combined visit to Belbeis and Tell Basta makes for a great day-trip from Cairo.

What to wear? When visiting local churches in Belbeis, make sure to dress modestly and to keep your shoulders and knees covered. Speaking loudly in public places and taking pictures of local people should be avoided.