The Holy Family Route from Cairo to Upper Egypt

The flight of the Holy Family into Egypt is one of the most outstanding and historically significant stories in the world. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph fled with the young Jesus from the bloody persecutions of King Herod. This holy family crossed the desert borders of Egypt and wandered for more than three and a half years through coastal entries, the Nile Delta, old Cairo, and the sandstone formations of Upper Egypt.

Although the fertile Delta provided them with an abundance of food and the natural sandstone formations of Wadi El Natrun were convenient for making desert tents, the flight of the Holy Family from Cairo to Upper Egypt is the longest and most spectacular leg of their journey. Following the great river, they hid in caves, on rocky slopes, and in palm groves, leaving behind numerous sacred wells, ancient inscriptions, and mountain sanctuaries. Here is a brief guide to the historical background, major sights, and practical details of your journey through the trail of the Holy Family from Cairo to Upper Egypt.

1. The Holy Family’s Flight from Cairo to Upper Egypt Historical Background

To understand the context of this part of the journey of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, it is necessary to imagine the territory of Egypt several thousand years ago. Having spent several months in the caves and underground tunnels of Old Cairo (Babylon in Egypt), the Holy Family had to leave the city due to Roman patrols and local authorities. The family went south toUpper Egypt (Sa'id Misr), following the river.

The valley of the Nile is much narrower than the fertile plains of the Delta. On either side of the river flow, rocky escarpments rise, interspersed with desert plateaus.

The family traveled through this area both on foot and by boat. Having traveled south of Cairo, near modern Maadi, Minya, Asyut, and the Maadi desert, they find shelters in the form of caves, ancient tombs, and fishing villages. The residents of these places were the first to preserve the memory of the Holy Family and build some of the most famous ancient monasteries and sanctuaries.

2. Major Attractions of the Journey from Cairo to Upper Egypt

There are several popular landmarks between Cairo and Asyut, officially designated as part of the Holy Family trail.

1. Maadi (Southern Cairo)

Before arriving in Upper Egypt, the Holy Family had to cross the southern part of the capital. The name Maadi means “crossing” in Arabic. The district is located on the western bank of the Nile.

The Church of the Virgin Mary: This ancient church was built directly on the banks of the Nile. Its steps lead straight to the river. It was here that St. Joseph found a small boat in which he took the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus to cross the river to the south.

The miracle of the floating Bible: Local believers say that in 1976, a strange Bible appeared in the water near the church. Some of the steps turned out to be open, but the book floated to the shore without pages opening. The Bible turned out to be open to Isaiah 19:19 (“And there shall be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt”). The cover of the book bore the words of St. Mary: “In the heart of Egypt, a sign of salvation has appeared.” Today, this Bible is displayed in a glass case inside the church.

2. Gabal El-Teir (Minya Gov)

Gabal El-Teir (“the Mountain of the Birds”) is a natural sandstone monument towering over the city of Samalut on the east bank of the Nile.

The Monastery of the Virgin Mary (Deir El-Adra): This vast monastery complex was built on the rocky mountain by Empress Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great.

The Miracle of the Mountain Print (Kaff El-Adra): While passing through the mountain with a boat, a huge rock fell from the cliffs threatening to crush the Holy Family. However, when the infant Jesus reached out his hand to stop the stone, the imprint of his hand remained on the mountain. Locals attribute this to the miracle of Kaff El-Adra (“the Palm of the Virgin”).

3. Deir El-Muharraq (Asyut Gov)

Deir El-Muharraq (The Monastery of the Virgin Mary at Mount Qosqam) is located on the slope of Mount Qosqam, near the city of El-Aksa.

The Longest Stay of the Holy Family: The family spent 6 months and 10 days in a small room made of mud bricks on the mountain. This was the longest stay in one place during their journey through Egypt.

The Angel’s Dream: St. Joseph dreamed of an angel of the Lord saying that King Herod had died and that it was safe to return to the Land of Israel (Matthew 2:19-20). It was also here, in the village of El-Qusiya, that the Copts built a church over the rock formation, claiming to have found the exact location of the Holy Family’s stay.

The Longest Christian Sanctuary: The stone altar built into the rock is considered the oldest in the Christian world. According to tradition, it is this sanctuary that is referred to in Isaiah 19:19.

The “Second Jerusalem”: Because of the volume of the monument and the long stay of Christ, Deir El-Muharraq is also called the “Second Jerusalem.” For centuries, it has been a center of Christian pilgrimage and an important holy site for both African and Middle East Christians.

4. Mount Dronka (Asyut Gov)

Mount Dronka is a sandstone formation 8 km to the southwest of the city of Asyut. This mountain is the southernmost point of the journey of the Holy Family in Egypt.

The Monastery of the Virgin Mary at Mount Dronka (): This monastery complex is built on a natural cave in the mountain. The cave extends deep into the sandstone formation. When the Nile flooded the valley, the family took shelter in this mountain cave.

Modern Pilgrimage Venue: On the eve of the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (August 15th), more than one million candles can be seen on the mountain, where thousands of pilgrims have gathered for the annual festival.

3. A Few Tips for Explorers of the Holy Family Route

To visit the objects of the Holy Family route from Cairo to Upper Egypt, you need to know certain details and prepare accordingly.

Location: The journey runs from Cairo to Upper Egypt through Beni Suef, Minya, and Asyut. The distance is 380 km.

Getting there: To reach the objects in Minya and Asyut, you can go to the Nile Valley Agricultural Highway, the Eastern Desert Road, the main railway from Cairo to Asyut. It is recommended to use private cars with a driver or excursion buses for travel to Upper Egypt.

The best time to visit: You should plan your trip to the fall and spring, between October and April. Summer is hot in the region.

Dress code: All places of worship are subject to strict dress code and behavior standards. It is necessary to dress modestly and follow the canons of local monastic communities.