A highly public, modern-day apparition of Mary in Egypt (I)

From April 2, 1968, to September 12, 1970, the Virgin Mary appeared hundreds of times in Zeitoun, a suburb of Cairo, the capital of Egypt. All these apparitions took place between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., above the Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary.

During these apparitions, the Blessed Virgin remained silent. She had a halo around her head and sometimes wore a crown. Her face, usually smiling, could be serious and sad at times. Seeming to glide through the air, she moved above the church, her clothes following her movements. Sometimes, she bowed as if to greet the crowd. In some apparitions, she held the Child Jesus in her arms, who also might wear a crown. On one occasion, Mary appeared in the company of Joseph and Jesus, then aged around twelve.

There were hundreds of apparitions at Zeitoun, with the greatest number taking place around Marian feasts (the Orthodox Church counts 32 in the year). Apparitions were generally preceded by luminous manifestations (luminous globe, silent lightning, falling stars, diamond rain...) and could last from a few minutes to several hours. For example, the apparition of June 8, 1968 lasted from 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., without interruption. They could also cease and resume during the same night. Occasionally, luminous white bird-like creatures would accompany the Virgin Mary, floating in the air without flapping their wings.

In 1968, the average number of daily pilgrims attending the apparitions was estimated at around 50,000. On some nights, the number could exceed 100,000 (with a peak of 250,000). The police had to close off the area around the church to motorized traffic and relocate some businesses, including the public transport garage across the street. The jubilant crowds cheered the Blessed Virgin at each of her apparitions, invoking her with fervor. Christians sang hymns in Arabic. Muslims recited verses from the Koran. Others prayed in Greek. Many received miraculous healings, confirmed by the medical committee set up by the Coptic Patriarchate and headed by Dr. Shafik Abdel Malek, as well as by Muslim doctors. This sparked renewed faith and conversions.

Fabrice-Marie Gagnant, member of the Mary of Nazareth apologetics team 

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