Christian tradition says that after Jesus was born, his parents fled with him to Egypt to escape death. Eventually they returned to their home in what was then known as the kingdom of Judea, and one of their last stops in Egypt was said to be at a cave in the Dronka mountains. Thousands of devotees of the Virgin Mary travel to the Virgin Mary Monastery near Assiut, Egypt every August to show their devotion to the holy family. Christian children are baptized and adults hope for blessings.
Egypt's Christians and Muslims Show Devotion to Virgin Mary
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The Monastery is believed to have been visited by the Holy family when they fled their homeland out of fear of persecution by King Herod. Sunday, August 18, 2019.
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Every August, tens of thousands of Egypt's Coptic Christians and Muslims head to the Virgin Mary Monastery in Assiut to memorize the visit of the holy family to Egypt. Sunday, August 18, 2019.
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Some consider the security situation in Egypt risky for foreign visitors and Coptic Christians. Even the Egyptian government has been investing the majority of its resources in the security department. Sunday, August 18, 2019.
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Upon arriving at the monastery, the pilgrims light candles and pray. Sunday, August 18, 2019.