XII. Warraq 2009 Royal Virgin of Giza pg 392
Mary has appeared in Egypt many times. Zeitoun (1968), St. Demiana in Shoubra (1986), Edfu (1992) Shentena, Al- Hagar (1997), Assiut (2001).
The best known is in Warraq as it coincided with the beginning of the Coptic month of Kiahk called the month of Mary. It lasted from 1:00 am- 4:00 am.[1] The day was Dec 11, the first day of the month of the Nativity in the Coptic calendar.
3,000 approx Muslims and Christians gathered together around the Virgin Mary and Arch Michael Church. Established by St. Mark ca 43 AD. The church adheres to the Nicene Creed. A miraculous healing of eyesight to a 39 yr old woman. Completely restored vision.
The Coptic Church was established in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by St. Mark the Evangelist in the city of Alexandria around 43 A.D. The church adheres to the Nicene Creed. St. Athanasius (296-373 A.D.), the twentieth Pope[2] of the Coptic Church, effectively defended the Doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ’s Divinity at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. His affirmation of the doctrine earned him the title; “Father of Orthodoxy” and St. Athanasius “the Apostolic”.
The term “Coptic” is derived from the Greek “Aigyptos” meaning “Egyptian”. When the Arabs arrived in Egypt in the seventh century, they called the Egyptians “qibt”. Thus the Arabic word “qibt” came to mean both “Egyptians” and “Christians”.
The term “Orthodoxy” here refers to the preservation of the “Original Faith” by the Copts who, throughout the ages, defended the Old Creed against the numerous attacks aimed at it.
The Coptic Orthodox Church believes that the Holy Trinity: God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit, are equal to each other in one unity; and that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world.[3]
Split during the Great Schism 1054 AD
Coptic Orthodoxy close to Catholic.
The official announcement by the bishop of Giza
The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria approved the apparitions. Giza Coptic Orthodox Bishopric issued anofficial statement confirming the apparitions:
Statement from Giza Coptic Orthodox Bishopric
In the era of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and Anba Dumadius, Archbishop of Giza (released on following Monday, as an eyewitness)
The Bishopric of Giza announces that the Holy Virgin has appeared in a transfiguration at the Church named after her in Warraq al-Hadar, Giza, in the early hours of Friday 11 December 2009 at 1:00am. The Holy Virgin appeared in her full height in luminous robes, above the middle dome of the church, in pure white dress and a royal blue belt. She had a crown on her head, above which appeared the cross on top of the dome. The crosses on top of the church’s domes and towers glowed brightly with light. The Holy Virgin moved between the domes and on to the top of the church gate between its two twin towers. The local residents all saw her.
The apparition lasted from 1:00am till 4:00am on Friday and was registered by cameras and cell phones. Some 3,000 people from the neighbourhood, surrounding areas, and passers-by gathered in the street in front of the church to see the apparition.
Since Friday, the huge crowds gathered in the vicinity of the church have been seeing luminous white pigeons soaring above the church during various times of the night, as well as a star which emerges suddenly in the heaven, travels some 200 metres across, then disappears. The huge crowds gathered around the church do not cease singing hymns and praises for the Holy Virgin.
This is a great blessing for the Church and for all the people of Egypt.
May her blessing and intercession benefit us all.
Signed
Anba Theodosius
Bishop-General of Giza[4]
According to Bishop Theodosios of Giza, it was important to investigate the event in detail.
“I stayed up all night on Sunday. I saw doves appear suddenly in the sky. They flew in circles in front of the church before they vanished into thin air. They were floating rather than hovering with their wings,” said Bishop Theodosios, adding that it is uncommon for doves to fly at night.”[5]
[1] Ibid 393
[2] https://orthodoxwiki.org/List_of_Coptic_Popes accessed June 29, 2022
[3] https://www.coptnet.com/coptic-egypt accessed June 18, 2022
[4] https://en.wataninet.com/archive-articles/statement-from-giza-coptic-orthodox-bishopric/9119/ accessed June 17, 2022
[5] https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2055774132/st-virgin-mary-apparition-in-coptic-orthodox-church-a-few-days-a-go accessed June 17, 2022
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