The Church of Saint George in Cairo
Saint George’s Church is close to Saint George’s monastery, where religious women reside, known as “Deir el Banat.” It is in the Coptic quarter near the Hanging Church and the Church of Saint Sergius. It is considered the residence of the Patriarch of Alexandria.
It is believed to be built on the grotto site where the Holy Family hid during the Flight into Egypt. The Church is highlighted by the darkness of the interior with the sunlight streaking through the stained glass windows.
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The History of the Church of Saint George
The Church (Greek Orthodox Church) was built in the 10th century on the north tower of the Roman fortress, but the current buildings are from 1909, rebuilt after the fire of 1904. The Church is dedicated to Saint George (also known by the name ”the great martyr”).
It was said that he was the defender of Christianity. He was the most famous warrior in The Coptic Quarter in Cairo, which is why there are more than 20 relics of Saint George. According to legend Saint George faced a dragon and killed him, and there are images of this form in the Church.
Saint George was assassinated in 303 AD during a battle that a Greek emperor fought against Christianity. The Church was rebuilt in 1904, but some preserved glass windows exist. There are torture chambers where King Damien imprisoned Saint George. During the fire, many icons and the interior decoration of the Church were burned, but the hero of Saint George, the Victorious, did not suffer at all.
The Construction of the Church of Saint George
This form of the Church is not the original form because the Church suffered many fires. This Church is the only circular Church in Egypt. It has a dome that is decorated with a Coptic cross. On the exterior facade is an image of Saint George mounted on a horse attacking a dragon with his Lazo.
Inside the Church, to the left of the entrance, there is a pavilion where the faithful can access the icon of Saint George. On the right side of the Church, there is a chapel, a kind of museum dedicated to Saint George, where things are kept that, according to legend, were witnesses to the life, torment, and death of the saint, in particular, an iron necklace in a chain, in which it was forged to the pillory; the pillar itself; torture instruments. It stands at 40 modern pillars.
The walls are decorated with kitsch images and icons of saints from the 11th and 15th centuries. Under the Church, there are dark passages illuminated with light where there is a water well where the Holy Family drank. Also below the Church are chapels and tombs of the patriarchs of Alexandria. There are some stairs leading from the Roman tower.
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