First time in 1,600 years the Eucharist was not celebrated at the Coptic Monastery of the Virgin Mary, Minya.

By Deacon Nick Donnelly, on August 20th, 2013

Protect the Pope

 

Photo from Egypt Independent

For the first time in 1,600 years the Eucharist was not celebrated at the Monastery of the Virgin Mary, Minya, due to the attack by the Muslim Brotherhood that resulted it being burnt to the ground. The mob of Muslims also ransacked the ancient monastery, stealing priceless artifacts, no doubt to be sold to international art collectors.

Egypt Independent reports:
‘Minya churches canceled on Sunday the second mass, holding only a brief one. Meanwhile, prayers did not take place at other churches which were attacked."

Priest Selwanes Lotfy of the Virgin Mary and Priest Ibram monastery in Degla, south of Minya, said, “We did not hold prayers in the monastery on Sunday for the first time in 1,600 years.”
“Supporters of deposed President [Mohamed Morsy] destroyed the Virgin Mary and Priest Ibram monastery, which includes three churches, one of which is an archaeological site. One of the extremists wrote on the monastery wall ‘donate to the martyrs’ mosque,’” Lotfy added.’

According to tradition Minya is the location of caves in which the Holy Family sought refuge when they escaped King Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents in Bethlehem. The following is an account of a modern pilgrimage to Minya in the footsteps of the Holy Family, that includes a description of the Monastery of the Virgin Mary:

‘The Holy Family sheltered in a small cave in the mountains near Minya. Sherine Nasr follows in their footsteps through Minya and Gabal Al-Teir.

‘We left the city of Minya in the early morning, crossed over to the east bank of the Nile and drove to the Monastery of the Virgin Mary on Gabal Al-Teir. As soon as we crossed the Nile, it was like entering another world: one of serenity, peace and beauty. The narrow road leading to the mountain winds through a patchwork of green fields, hemmed in by the desert and mountains. Nowhere have I experienced such tranquillity, and for a second I thought of stopping the car, wandering through the fields, and staying there for good. I even felt that the people were special, with their genuine smiles and friendly looks. I immediately understood why the Holy Family selected this particular spot to seek refuge from the soldiers of Herod, King of Israel. I, too, felt I was fleeing from the stress, worries and duties of the material world.’ [...]

‘The monastery, which was built in the fourth century AD by Empress Helena, lies on the top of the mountain, almost 130 metres above the Nile, and is reached by a flight of 166 steps hewn into the rock.

El-Nabarawi took me first to the church of the monastery. In the southeastern corner of the church, cut into the rock, is the cave where Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Joseph were believed to have taken shelter. This cave is the oldest part of the church.

Read the rest here: http://protectthepope.com/?p=8033&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter


Other sources: http://www.jihadwatch.org/2013/08/egypt-we-did-not-hold-prayers-in-the-monastery-on-sunday-for-the-first-time-in-1600-years.html

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/670/tr1.htm