How Mary saved the Church in Egypt (II)

The patriarch found the man where the Virgin Mary had indicated (1). After repeating to him what Mary had said, Amba Abram insisted: “It is the command of the Mother of Light!” Saint Samaan replied with humility: “If the Mother of Light has decided to entrust me with this mission, I put myself entirely at your service.”

Samaan then explained to Amba Abram how the miracle would take place:

“You will go up on the hill, you, your bishops, priests and deacons, lifting high Bibles, crosses, torches and censers. You will ask the caliph to climb the hill with his own procession and to face you on the top of the hill. I will be among the people behind you, where I can remain hidden. Celebrate the Mass, and after the Eucharistic Communion, repeat with all the people, in a spirit of humility and a broken heart, a hundred times to the East, a hundred times to the West, a hundred times to the North and a hundred times to the South: “Kyrie Eleison!” (Lord, have mercy on us). Then silently adore God, on your knees, with hands outstretched to the Most High. Then make the sign of the Cross over the hill. Do this three times, and you will see the glory of God.”

Things went as Samaan had asked, and at the first sign of the Cross made by the patriarch on the hill, there was a great earthquake, and the hill rose and fell. The same thing happened at every sign of the Cross.

The caliph and his entourage were seized with fear. The caliph exclaimed: “God is great! May His name be blessed!” He begged Amba Abram to stop what he was doing, lest the hill crush the city, and when everything stopped, he granted him the right to stay in Egypt and permission to rebuild many churches, including that of St Markorios Abu Sifein in Old Cairo.

(1) See yesterday’s A Moment with Mary - November 18, 2018

According to the Biography of Saint Samaan the Shoemaker, published by Saint Samaan Church, in Mokattam, Cairo (Egypt)

Excerpt from an article by Mohamed Salmawy published in AL-AHRAM Hebdo, Week from March 8 to 14, 2000