The Commemoration of the 41 Anniversary of Virgin Mary's Apparition in Zeitoun, Egypt.

A video about the Apparition

History

In 1918, one wealthy member of the Khalil Ibrahim family (a wealthy landowning family of Zeitun at the time) was suffering a sever family crisis. Saint Mary appeared to him in a vision and told him two things:
1) Build for her a church on the land;
2) In 50 years, she would bless the church.
The church was completed in 1924. The apparitions served to unite all Egyptians regardless of religious creed. Tuesday night 8:30 p.m., April 2, 1968: non-Christian work men at the Public Transit System garage were changing shifts when they noticed a young lady in white kneeling by the cross at the top of the dome. This site was confirmed by other women pedestrians walking in the area. Thinking her to be a suicidal girl, one of the workmen yelled at her not to jump. At this time, the young girl stood up. "They all saw her dressed as if in a bright gown of light in a view similar to that associated with the Virgin Mary. One of the ladies gave out a loud cry of joy. Involuntarily she cried out, 'Settena Mariam,' which means, 'Our Lady, Mary.' The women began pleading for the Lady's blessings." One of the miracles that occurred immediately was that the man, who had shouted at the girl on the dome not to jump, was scheduled to have his finger amputated the next day because of gangrene. When the doctors remove the bandages next day for the surgery, the finger was completely healed.

As more and more appearances occurred, more and more people came and on April 9, people could hear singing and praying in many languages: Coptic, Arabic, Greek were chanted from liturgy books and the Koran. One of the greatest miracles wrought by our Holy Mother as that the Liturgy was played over the loud speakers and carried over many blocks. This is a miracle because it is illegal in Egypt to preach Christianity outside of a house or church.

Throughout the long night's vigil, numerous shooting stars were constantly seen falling overhead. There was also a fragrance of incense described as a "fragrance so great as if from a million censors." The smoke of incense poured of the domes, through the closed windows of the large dome actually, in large quantities; it was very bright. A burst of light would appear over the church then within it, the Virgin would appear. There were dove-like object round and golden in color were seen to emit a light and would generally be seen to emit a light and generally be seen with wings but the wings did not move. The Cairo zoo keeper who was consulted and came to Zeitun determined that doves do not fly by night. They were seen in groups of 2, 7 or 12 would be seen in a formation of a cross. If they disappeared they would return in the same formation.

Egyptian Government's Response

The Egyptian Government's Report:
The Director of the General Information and Complaints Department submitted to the Minister, Mr. Hafez Ghanem, a documental report asserting emphatically the appearances of the Blessed Virgin at the Coptic Orthodox Church at Zeitun. "The investigations have proved twenty-seven appearances (to that date) of the Blessed Virgin in various luminous forms. At certain times mysterious doves either preceded, accompanied or followed the apparitions . . ."
"Official investigations have been carried out with the result that it has been considered an undeniable fact that the Blessed Virgin Mary has been appearing on Zeitun Church in a clear and bright luminous body seen by all present in front of the church, whether Christian or Moslem."
Report of General Information and Complaints Department, Zeitun, Egypt 1968.
Also, on Tuesday Aprili 9, 1968, another appearance was confirmed by the authorities. By this time many thousands of people were gathering nightly and were bringing their reports to authorities.

Coptic Orthodox Church Response

The Papal Delegation:
Some priests of high rank were then delegated by His Holiness Pope Kyrillos VI, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the Holy See of St. Mark in all Africa and the Near East (at the time of the apparitions), to make researches and investigations on the spot. They stayed there for several nights enquiring and investigating until they saw with their own eyes the blessed Virgin's apparition in the full form moving on the domes and blessing the multitudes in front of the church. During that period She was seen in different forms, all in luminous vivid body; sometimes in a bust, and sometimes in full form, always surrounded by a white glittering halo and making Her appearance either from the dome openings or from the space between the domes on which She used to move and march and bow before the Cross on the church roof, making it emanate a magnificent light. She used also to face the multitudes of people in front of the church and bless them with her hands and with nods from Her blessed head.

Sometimes the apparition was in the form of a celestial body like a glittering white cloud or in the form of light preceded by some spiritual forms such as doves of great speed. The apparitions used to last for quite a long time; on April 30th 1968 they lasted for two hours. The apparitions have been witnessed by many thousands of citizens and foreigners belonging to different religions and sects, with groups of religious organizations and scientific and professional personages and all other categories of people who have proclaimed and announced their witnesses. all giving the same particulars as to description and form and time and place, that unanimity has placed the matter of Virgin's apparition beyond any doubt. This apparition has been accompanied by two important matters:
1. The first is the strong belief in God, the other world and the saints, thus having many of the unbelievers and those of weak belief repent and be regenerated through their new true belief.
2. The second is the miraculous cure that has occurred to many patients whose cases have been examined by all concerned, medically and scientifically.

Miraculous Cures at Zeitoun

Upon visiting The Coptic Church of Zeitoun many patients suffering from incurable diseases have been miraculously cured. The Papal Committee has examined the cures medically and scientifically. Blindness, paralyzed organs, cancer and dumbness have been miraculously cured by supplicating the Blessed Virgin in the Zeitoun Church dedicated to Her. Doctors were amazed and officially reported that there was no medical explanation for such cures.
We hope that this blessing will be a sign of peace to the world and good omen of prosperity to our beloved patrons and blessed nation.

The Virgin And Neck Cancer:
O God! How this lady cried! It was almost a flood of tears! She was bitterly crying in the altar, and she went on crying heartily after everyone else had gone. So, I approached her and asked her what was wrong. She replied that she had taken it to heart that the Virgin did not help her. According to her, "The Virgin mediates for a lot of people and cures them, and yet She leaves this malignant tumor in my neck... My young children are in need of me, and yet the doctors say that I have only forty days to live." I assured her that, if she prayed fervently enough that night, and besought the Virgin's help, She would surely come to her aid. Then, I anointed her with holy oil. That night, the lady prayed earnestly and insistently beseeching the Virgin to help her. She then fell asleep in tears. The Virgin came to her, and in a loving merciful tone reassured her saying, "Don't be afraid, I am going to cure you." The Virgin, touched the woman's neck with her hand and extracted the malignant tumor, and placed it on a chest of drawers in the room. The next day, the lady hurried to the church, in great joy, carrying the tumor in a handkerchief. I had her stand in the middle of the congregation and tell her story and narrate how merciful God had been to her!

The Virgin Restores the Sight of Mrs. S.S.T.
Mrs. S.S.T. has asked that this miracle should be mentioned, so that God's name may be glorified. The lady grieved very much, and fell asleep, and when she awoke she found that she had lost her eye-sight. The doctors could not help her. But she saw the Virgin in a vision, and She assured her that she would recover her sight at the end of the liturgy. The Virgin made Her apparition on the church dome, and the sign of the cross over her eyes. The lady, in her joy tried to embrace the Virgin, but her hands held nothing. The lady went home, with her heart gladdened and her sight restored through the mediation of the Mother of the True Light. The above-mentioned miracle was published at the time when it occurred.

A Serious Ailment in the Ear:
Mrs. A.F. had a serious ailment in the ear which the doctors could find no cure for. She was at a loss what to do as medicine was of no avail. She placed her ear on the Virgin's picture at her home, and with great faith, prayed the Virgin not to fail her, having resorted to the Virgin's help. She felt faith and hope pervading herself. She slept and at night, the Virgin came to her saying, "I have heard your call and here I am ... I have come to cure you." The lady awoke, fully recovered.

The Cure of the General:
General George Habib, at the head of his tanks and armored cars, rushed through the Ber-Lev line. So, the Jews hastened to flood the whole area with Napalm that gives forth a terribly intense heat--3000 degrees C.--; heat enough to let iron melt. In the midst of the terrible fire, George cried out three times from the depths of his heart invoking the succor of Christ. He, then passed out. When he came to, he found himself outside the line of fire! Who dragged him to safety? I visited him at the military hospital at Helmeya, and then at El-Maadi, and gave him Holy Communion. It was said that when they took off his helmet, they had to tear away the flesh of his head with it. I asked him what he did while leading his troops. He said that he was reciting Psalm No91 "He that dwelled in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the Shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him I trust. Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shall thou trust." He had an exacerbation and serious complications. So, I hurried to visit him. He said, "Please, ask our Lady to come at once, before it is too late." Thank God! The Virgin came to his help. Through plastic surgery, parts of the skin of his thigh were fitted on to his head. He is now fully recovered, and has resumed his work, having undergone many surgical operations, and having been helped by the Virgin. He said that the Virgin used to come and change the dressings. She touched his leg, and it was cured. She came back and touched his back, and it became well. She finally returned and touched his head, and it healed!

The Eyes in the Virgin's Picture Close And Open:
Dr. S.T. from El-sinbelwien was highly diabetic and seriously ill. His wife brought him to the Virgin's Church seeking the Virgin's mediation. The family settled in Heliopolis to be able to visit the church from time to time. The family resorted to prayer, and while doing so, they smelled incense. They were amazed to see the picture of the Virgin, that was on the opposite wall, close and open Her eyes very slowly for several times. The book of prayers became soaked with oil! The sick man was fully recovered. The family still keeps the book of prayers and the oil up to the present day.

The Virgin Makes Her Apparition on the Bible:
Mrs. Angele Habib had wished, from all her heart, to see the Virgin as She made Her apparition over the domes of the church. But that was not to be. So, she was greatly disappointed and cried bitterly. She always had a Bible with her, placing it under her pillow when she went to sleep. One night, she begged, with tears, to see the Virgin. She woke up to find the Virgin's picture, with Christ in Her arms, imprinted on the Bible with oil. The lady still keeps the Bible, and shows it to the Fathers. She says that she has shown it to his reverence Bishop Anba Agregaryous. The Virgin never fails us, being our loving Mother. Blessed be thou, who art the pride of our race!

The Story of the Pebble:
Gayed Guirguis is a senior inspector at the Ministry of Education. While he was making his rounds, he had a meal and he suffered from food poisoning. He went on vomiting till his tongue got dry and stuck to his palate. He felt extremely exhausted and on the point of death. He was alone as he lived away from his family. He asked for the Virgin's help. In the midst of his prayers, he felt a figure get into his room, and sit on the edge of his bed. It was the Virgin, in full glory. She reached out Her hand to him, and beckoned as if She were expelling something out of his body, and then She went out. The patient felt as if an electric current had passed through his body restoring him to full health. By his side he had a pebble that fell to the ground. It broke into two halves. There, sure enough, the Virgin's picture was imprinted on the pebble. She had an angel standing at one side, and three persons kneeling near the hem of Her overflowing dress. The Virgin has left Her picture as a clear evidence of Her visit.

The Virgin Gets out of the Picture, Blesses the House And Gets Back:
Engineer R.A.B. has an ancient picture of the Virgin at home, a picture that dates to over a hundred years back. At 11 O'clock A..M. on Thursday 17/2/1972, he was reading the Pope's sermon that was published in El-Gamhoureya newspaper. His wife was at his side reading the Pope's sermon in Watani weekly paper... He saw the Virgin come out of Her picture and stand over the window-sill. She had all the dimensions of real life. He was so amazed that he could not utter a word for a minute or two. Then he controlled himself and drew his wife's attention to what he saw. The Virgin returned to her picture. On Friday morning (18/2/72), he went to Holy Communion. He told the Father, who received his confessions, what he saw. The Father counseled him to have the picture placed in a special shrine, without any glass, so that the picture may be a source of blessing. The engineer had side lights fitted in, and El-Mahabba Society prepared the shrine that had a glass screen. When the shrine was lit; the glass screen, which dimmed the picture, fell and broke into pieces. The engineer then carried the picture to His Holiness Pope Shenouda III who dedicated it to St. George's Church at Kotsika. El-Mahabba Bookshop charged the engineer 10 pounds for the shrine. He paid that sum of money. On the same day, when he returned home, the postman delivered him a letter, sent by his bank, and announcing that one of his investment certificates had won 10 pounds.

The Virgin Saves A Child From Under the Wheels of An Express Train:
The mother and her child had moved to visit the Virgin at Her Church at Zeitoun. So, they came from Alexandria especially for that purpose. When they were trying to get off the train, at a station seven kilometers off Cairo, they were pushed by the multitudes. The mother fell away from the rails and was not injured. As for the twelve years old son, he fell under the wheels. The mother screamed and passed out. When she came to, she found her son by her side calling: "Mother! Mother!" In amazement, the mother asked him how he made good his escape. He replied that he found, by his side, a Lady in white garments and with light emanating from Her face. She placed Her hand over his head and he bent it. Seven wagons passed over him. The Lady reassured him saying, "Don't be afraid, I am your Mother, the Virgin." When the last wagon passed, he rose and saw the Lady disappear. However, he still feels the Lady tenderly touch his hand, and Her beautiful sight still haunts his memory.
Blessed be our Lady and the pride of our race. You take good care of your children, and hurry to their protection and help.
P.S. We made a recording of the story as told by the mother and her son, and took a photograph for the boy, with marks of the rails showing clearly on his back.

The Brain Hemorrhage:
She was extremely happy when she gave birth to that child. It was a God-send which she had to wait many years for. Her happiness did not last for long. The child had a brain hemorrhage. The doctors lost hope though some advised the performance of an operation. The chances of success in that operation do not exceed 1%. Here, the mother resorted to the Virgin. She came to me in the altar, and I counseled her to place the name of the child in the altar whenever she came to church. At Christmas, and immediately before I gave the sermon, I received a letter that contained bills for thirty pounds. The woman who sent the letter said that she at last had a visit from the Virgin who had pity on her, and cured her child. That sum of money was part of the fees that could have been paid to the surgeons, had the operation been performed. The mother donated it to the poor. I told the congregation about the miracle and the donation. As for the lady's name and address, they are kept at church. She didn't like to have her name announced. May God's name be glorified, and our Mother the Virgin be thanked.

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The golden censor

"The golden censor, made of pure gold, carrying the ever burning light."

The sixth symbol of St. Mary in the Sunday Theotokeia, is that she is the golden censor. This symbol was from the writings of St. Cyril the Great, who defended the title of the Theotokos given to our lady, St. Mary. The golden censor was used by Aaron the high-priest (Hebrews 9:4). The golden censor (Shoria in Coptic and Arabic) is deep in its symbolism of the Holy Virgin. If we study the censor, we can notice that there is a base in which the coal is carried. This coal is likened to the nature of our Lord. Just as the fire and the coal are two natures, so is the divinity and humanity of our Lord. In the confession of the Priest at the end of the Liturgy, the priest recites that, "This is the life-giving Body that Your only-begotten Son, our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, took from our Lady, the Lady of us all, the Holy Theotokos, St. Mary. And He made It one with His divinity without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration" (The Liturgy of St. Basil). Just as the fire and the coal are two natures, they do not mingle with each other, for the fire does not become coal, and the coal does not become fire, just as Christ's humanity did not mask His divinity or vice versa. But at the same time, one cannot separate the fire from the coal once it has been ignited, proving that "His humanity parted not from His divinity for a single moment, nor a twinkling of an eye." St. Mary carried this great mystery in her womb. Another wonderful meditation of the golden censor, is found when we look at the wonderful aroma that came forth from it. This aroma, (which will be described later on in the hymn "Aven Pi-arshi-e-revs" They likened the high priest), is the aroma that the Father smelled during the sacrifice of the Son on the Holy wood of the Cross. This fire brought forth the wonderful smell of the incense. This can explain St. Mary's emotions as she beheld the Crucifixion of our Lord. In the prayer of the Ninth Hour we read, "When the mother saw the Lamb and Shepherd, the Savior of the world hanging on the Cross, she said while weeping, 'The world indeed rejoices in receiving salvation, but as for me, my bowels are on fire as I behold Thy Crucifixion, O my Son and my God.'" Even though she had smelled the incense of Redemption, her bowels were on fire as she beheld the death of her Son. This, once again, reveals the beauty of St. Mary, who did not prevent the death of her Son, understanding the Divine Will which required Him to die.

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The Theotokeias

A Theotokeia is a hymn for the Theotokos. The term "Theotokos" is of Late Greek origin literally meaning "God's-Mother." This belief was defended by our 24th Pope of Alexandria, Pope Cyril I the Pillar of Faith. During his time, around 428, Nestorius, the archbishop of Constantinople declared that there are two distinct persons in Christ. He also spoke against calling the Blessed Virgin Mary the "Theotokos." As a result of his heresy, the Council in Ephesus was called in June 431 by the Emperor. 200 bishops attended the council who elected Pope Cyril I to preside over them on the authority of his own dignity. Pope Cyril I argued that the indivisible union of the divine and human natures of Jesus Christ confirms that He is God and it follows that His Mother is the "Mother-of-God," the "Theotokos" who bore Him forever. Nestorius' doctrines were condemned and a sentence of excommunication and deposition was pronounced by the 200 bishops.
The Theotokeias take great part in our Coptic Orthodox Church. There are seven Theotokeias all together, one Theotokeia for each day of the week that is chanted in the daily Vespers & Midnight Praises. They were writings of Pope Cyril I defending the Theotokos and latter on they were constructed by a monk from the monastery of St. Makari to be in the form we have now. In the early Church they were only chanted in the monasteries but then Pope Benjamin I (590-661), the 38th pope ordered the churches to use them in their prayers.

The Sunday Theotokeia parts that were being played during the event can be found here:

Sunday Theotokia - Part 1
Sunday Theotokia - Part 2
Sunday Theotokia - Part 3
Sunday Theotokia - Part 4
Sunday Theotokia - Part 5
Sunday Theotokia - Part 6
Sunday Theotokia - Part 7 (Hail to You Mary)
Sunday Theotokia - Part 7 (You are Called Righteous)
Sunday Theotokia - Part 8 (Seven Times Every Day)
Sunday Theotokia - Part 10-15 (You are Morth Worthy)