Egypt pilgrimage tour: Christian Cairo + Alexandria 4 days

4 days tour package to visit Old Cairo and its churches, Christian places in Alexandria and Discover Pharaonic sights St. Constantine, St. Helen Church, St. Mary’s Church

Journey to Cairo

Arrival in Cairo, check in 4* hotel on HB and free evening.

Tour to the Old Cairo and its churches

Early breakfast in the hotel and tour to the Old Cairo where we will visit the following places:
- Ancient Babylon Fort
- Hanging church al-Moalaka
- St Bacus and Abu Serga coptic churches
- St George church at the Holy Monastery of St George
- Visit to the Coptic Museum

-St. Constantine & Helen Church (Greek Orthodox church) is a historic church over 100 years old. Situated in the heat of Downtown Cairo, it was reopened in 2019 after 2 years of restoration works. The church has a truly beautiful edifice with an impressive separate belfry. The church, built in the 17th century is very large, and has its pulpit situated above the Royal Gate of the Iconostation.

- St. Mary’s Church, which is situated in a great location, surrounded by beautiful gardens. It is said that the Virgin Mary, the Christ Child and Joseph rested there during their flight to Egypt.

- Virgin Mary - her repeated daily appearances in a small Church in Elzaytoun district of Cairo for over a month in April of 1968 was witnessed by thousands of Egyptians, both Copts and Muslims and was even broadcast on International TV.

After lunch in the city we will cross the Nile on a traditional felucca boat and arrive to Maadi to visit Virgin Mary church.

Back to the hotel for dinner, overnight.

Christian places in Alexandria

This day we will dedicate to visit Christian places in Alexandria. First stop at the Catacombs of Kom al-Soqafa to get acquainted with the Roman-Egyptian cemetery structures. And then we will get to know three different churches of Alexandrian diocese:

Coptic cathedral of St. Mark, Monastery of Saint Savvas - the St. Savva Church of the Monastery, which turned out to be quite a large edifice that possesses the relics of its Patron Saint. In this church, there is also of special significance a large, marble column, to the left of the Iconotation, upon which St. Katherine was beheaded. The Annunciation Church - This massive, large church is the largest Orthodox Church in the Balkans and Mediterranean, the diamond of the Orthodox Churches. Its Bema (Altar area) is so large, that an entire church could fit in it.

In the very center of Alexandria, on Tahrir (Independence) Square is the only building which survived the 10 hour British naval bombardment of Alexandria of 11th June 1882, its survival owes much to the Arabic and Islamic aspects of its design because this was, and is, a unique Anglican structure. It is now termed a Pro-Cathedral and is part of the Diocese of Egypt (St Mark’s Anglican Church). In 1882 it came under the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem. The church foundation stone was laid in 1839, but due to some difficulties, construction was delayed for fifteen years. In April 1855 it was finally consecrated by Bishop Samuel Cobat. On entering the church there is a small baptistery supported by four graceful columns. The reredos, located behind the altar, features a central panel with the crucifixion, two panels depicting St. David and St. Andrew to the left, and two panels with St. Patrick and St. George to the right. The apse has five stained glass windows that show Christ flanked by the four evangelists. An elaborately executed wooden pulpit stands to the left near the apse with a central figure of Christ in the front. The church boasts a large organ.

Visit to the Catholic Sacred Heart Church. The place indeed worthy a visit for its breathtaking religious art: icons, murals, figurines and most exquisite stained glass artwork all are represented there. Upon entering the Sacred Heart Church in Alexandria, you find images depicting life of the Christ on one wall while on the opposite wall there are images portraying life of St. Francis, the chief patron of the church.

There are several altars and a beautiful pulpit engraved with events from the life of St. Francis. There are paintings of swimming angels as well as a stunning painting of Jesus Christ. They connect the walls to the beautiful ceiling which holds even more artistic delights. The mosaics of the Church was designed by Gabriel Pippet and carried out by Maurice Josey. They begun the work in 1921 and it took 12 years to complete the art work. Pippet traveled to Ravenna and Rome to study the mosaics before completing the designs.

After our excursion we will drive back to Cairo. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Discover Pharaonic sights optional tour

Today is a free day before your departure. Optional excursion to the pyramids or Egyptian Museum can be arranged upon request. Check out your hotel by 12 noon and transfer to the airport as scheduled.