Report
The Journey of The Holy Family in Egypt
Event
The Egyptian Cultural and Educational
Bureau in partnership with
The Coptic Orthodox Church UK
Thursday 29
May 2025
On
Thursday 29 May 2025, The Egyptian Cultural Bureau, in partnership with The Coptic
Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, hosted an event to commemorate the
journey of The Holy Family in Egypt in anticipation of the celebration of The
Coptic Orthodox Feast of our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt on 1 June 2025.
The
event began with a welcome and presentation by Professor Rasha Hussein A.
Mostafa, Cultural Attaché and Bureau Director, and addresses were given by His
Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal
Legate to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Sherif Kamel, Ambassador of Egypt
to the Court of St James and Iconographer Fadi Mikhail. Among guests in
attendance was His
Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury BuendÃa, Apostolic Nuncio to the Court of St
James.
A
short film was shown to demonstrate the Holy Family’s journey across Egypt, and
after addresses, guests were invited to partake in refreshments and to attend
an icon exhibition by Fadi Mikhail. There were six icons on display. Three of
the icons depicted The Holy Family with various compositions, and all included
elements referencing Egypt such as The Pyramids, The Nile and Pharaonic symbolism.
The remaining three icons were of Saints that are significant to the Coptic
Orthodox Church. The first was Saint Mark, the Evangelist, writer of the second
Gospel in The Bible, and founder of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The second was
of Saint Athanasius, the 20th Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and a
pivotal figure in the global Church until today, and the third was an icon of
Saint Katherine who is an ascetic of the deserts of Egypt, significant because
of the contribution that Egypt has made to monastic life globally since the 4th
Century until today.
Professor
Rasha Hussein spoke about the cultural significance of the Holy Family’s
journey in Egypt, saying:
“The advent of the Holy family of Egypt seeking refuge, fleeing King Herod’s persecution, is an event of the utmost significance in our dear country's long history. It also highlights Divine protection and providence.”
She
went on to say:
“The Holy Family's journey in Egypt is
rich with cultural, theological, and emotional dimensions. Perceived from any
of these aspects, the journey offers profound insights into themes of exile,
protection, Divine guidance, and room among suffering, and above of all, it
demonstrated that Christ's journey in Egypt filled its land with blessings. The
support the Holy Family received from others in Egypt, whether through
donations, shelter or resources, showcased the extent to which the concepts of
hospitality and mutual aid were deeply rooted and embedded in ancient Middle
Eastern cultures, among which Egypt stood and still stands for.”
Professor
Rasha Hussein concluded by saying:
“The Holy family's journey in Egypt is
not only a cornerstone of Christian heritage, but also, it is successfully
positioning Egypt as a major Christian pilgrimage destination, as well as
illustrating the country as the one that fosters intercultural dialogue,
coexistence, and preserves Coptic history.”
Fadi
Mikhail spoke about the various components that make up the icon of the Holy
Family, and signposted three main functions of icons in general, saying:
“Icons can educate. They offer information regarding everything we know about the subject. In this case, the flight to Egypt. The second, is a call or invitation to pray or to seek the person or the people who are in the icon, appreciate and even discuss the matter with them, and through them, Jesus Christ Himself. The third is a call to action, because an icon isn't just an inspirational image, but an image that should invite us to do whatever the person in the icon has succeeded in doing.”
His
Eminence Archbishop Angaelos spoke about the spiritual relevance and
significance of God’s blessing upon Egypt in the book of Isaiah 18:19-25,
saying:
“This
was a prophecy before the Birth of Christ. It was a prophecy before the
existence of Christianity or Islam. It was a prophecy and a blessing upon the
land of Egypt. There is no denying its Christian heritage, and more recently its
Muslim heritage, and of course, the Pharaonic origin, but that blessing was and
is upon every person, because this is how God sees us and how He calls us to
see one another.”
His
Eminence continued:
“When we look at the route of the Holy Family’s
journey through Egypt, it was extensive. It went from, as we heard Professor Rasha
Hussein say, from border to border, it blessed the whole land. There was no
distinction between rural Egypt and other parts, and that shows a blessing
across the whole land.”
His
Eminence concluded by saying:
“Egypt is a land that we all share today,
and we must all share in its joys. There are many who continue to flag the
differences and the challenges, but there are many good things. Tonight is one
of them. What we are celebrating is one of them, and the blessing of our Lord
on Egypt, unequivocally, unconditionally and without separation is certainly
one of them. So I leave you with a verse from the Book of Isaiah 19:19, ‘In
that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt’.”
His
Excellency Sherif Kamel spoke about the Government of Egypt’s efforts in promoting
and preserving the trail of the Holy Family in Egypt, and spoke of its
significance in Egypt’s history:
“The trail and each of its sites are not just a story of flight and refuge, but a living participant of Egypt's longstanding role as a sanctuary from threats and injustice. The Holy Family’s journey in Egypt is a pivotal moment in the history of Christianity and being part of that makes Egyptians today, and forever, proud and thankful. As we carry this history with us Egypt today continues to play a similar role, providing refuge to millions of our sisters and brothers, from a number of countries in Africa and West Asia.”
His
Excellency concluded by saying:
“The Holy Family trail in Egypt is much
more than a route on a map. In addition to its great religious significance, it
is an important symbol of human solidarity, and our common human history, as
well as a strong reminder of the lessons learned from that history and their
importance. We are in dire need of these lessons today more than ever. At a
time when human suffering is peaking and reaching unimaginable levels in the
21st century we have to remember that preserving humanity's future lies in
helping one another, embracing one another, and respecting one another. These
were the natural and instinctive notions by which Egypt received, more than two
thousand years ago, the Holy Family, as welcome guests, and these are the
principles that should guide all of humanity today and in the future.
