Hundreds of thousands gather at Egypt’s Assiut Monastery to honor the Virgin Mary
Celebrations for the geast of the Virgin Mary, Assiut–Egypt, August 2025. / Credit: ACI MENA ACI MENA, Aug 26, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).
The Monastery of the Virgin Mary in Assiut, in southern Egypt, holds special significance. It is considered to be the final stop of the Holy Family’s journey in Egypt and includes an ancient cave where Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are believed to have lived before beginning their return to the Holy Land.
In Upper Egypt, monastic life has flourished since the fourth century under St. John of Egypt — also known as John of Assiut in the Middle East and northern Africa. The monastery there continues its mission today, with daily Masses, baptisms, and pilgrim visits.
The well-known religious site also now hosts one of the largest annual religious celebrations in Egypt. Every year, from Aug. 7–22, during the feast of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Family’s visit to Assiut is celebrated.
The celebrations draw massive crowds of pilgrims, particularly on the feast day of the Virgin, with attendance exceeding 750,000 people, according to ACI MENA, CNA’s Arabic-language news partner.
The monastery complex includes several churches, but the historic Cave Church is surrounded by particular reverence.
Oral tradition recounts that Joseph the Patriarch once used the cave to store grain and that the Holy Family later lived there. In subsequent centuries, the cave served as a refuge for Egypt’s Christians fleeing persecution, many of whom turned these shelters into churches.
It is unusual to find statues of Christ, the Virgin, or the saints in Coptic Orthodox churches, which traditionally venerate them through icons. Yet in 2023, the Assiut monastery witnessed the raising of Egypt’s largest statue of Mary, cast in bronze and modeled after the famous Our Lady of Lebanon statue, to coincide with the celebration of her birthday.
The Egyptian Mint also issued a commemorative series of 12 coins representing major sites along the Holy Family’s journey through Egypt, including the Assiut site, known as Durunka.
This story was first published by ACI MENA, CNA’s Arabic-language news partner, and has been translated for and adapted by CNA.
Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/266155/hundreds-of-thousands-gather-at-egypt-s-assiut-monastery-to-honor-the-virgin-mary
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,721,378,061 |
| Stories: | 8,480,356 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
