Description
The journey of the Holy Family—Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—to Egypt is a significant event in Egypt’s spiritual and historical heritage. This flight fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, notably those of Hosea (“Out of Egypt have I called My Son”) and Isaiah, who foretold the coming of the Lord to Egypt and the fall of its idols.
Isaiah also prophesied that Egypt would be blessed and know the Lord, predicting an altar in Egypt’s midst and a pillar at its borders—interpreted by the Coptic Church as the altar at Al-Muharraq Monastery (where the Holy Family stayed for over six months) and the Church in Alexandria, established by St. Mark.
The New Testament confirms the fulfillment of these prophecies in Matthew 2:13, where Joseph is instructed by an angel to flee to Egypt to protect the Christ Child from King Herod.
Avoiding established trade routes due to danger, the Holy Family endured a harsh, miraculous journey through Sinai’s wilderness. Their sustenance was divinely provided, and they were guided safely by God.
Centuries later, Pope Theophilus (4th century) received a vision from the Virgin Mary detailing their journey. He documented their path, affirming oral traditions of miraculous events during their stay in Egypt. The Holy Family’s presence sanctified Egypt and left a lasting legacy seen in its churches and Christian heritage.
Interesting Fact
According to Coptic tradition, the stone altar at Al-Muharraq Monastery is where Jesus slept as an infant during the Holy Family’s stay, fulfilling Isaiah 19:19 about an altar “in the midst of Egypt.”
Citations
Samaan, Fr. Moses. “The Holy Family in Egypt.” Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii, https://www.lacopts.org/orthodoxy/coptic-orthodox-church/history/the-holy-family-in-egypt/.