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Matthew 2:13-15
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt,
and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
In Matthew 2:13 is where the angel first appeared to Joseph and commanded him to flee to Egypt. Egypt was not very close to Bethlehem and out of Herod’s rule. It was almost 100 miles away. At that time, many Jews were already living in Egypt. Egypt was holding thousands and thousands of Jewish refugees from wars so the Jewish population was established in Egypt. GOD had a plan.
The gospels do not commemorate the journey, but the Coptic Christian Church in Egypt does so, in detail, with numerous sites and monasteries. The family traveled from Bethlehem, through Gaza, crossing the Judea Desert, passing the Dead Sea and crossing the Sinai Desert. https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/f/flight-into-egypt.php
The Coptic Synaxar (calendar of the saints) records Tal Basta as the first Egyptian town visited by the Holy Family. It is said that in Tal-Basta, Jesus caused a spring to well up from the ground, and His presence triggered the idols to crumble, as foretold by the prophets. The townsfolk turned aggressive so the Holy Family turned their backs and headed southwards.
Then they reached Mostorod, later to be named Al-Mahmma (‘the bathing place’) because the Virgin Mary bathed Christ and washed His clothes there. It is said that on their way back to Palestine (years after this first visitation), the Holy Family stopped in Mostorod once more and caused a spring to gush from the earth, which still flows forth to the present day.
Then they continued to Belbeis.
Then to Samanoud where the locals received them with kindness and hospitality.
Then from Samanoud to Bikha Isus (footprint of Jesus) where according to tradition Jesus left his footprint on a rock.
Then they arrived at the Natroun Valley after crossing the Rosetta branch of the Nile to the western Delta, and headed south into the Western Desert of Egypt.
They made their way south, crossing the Nile to Matareyah where the Family is believed to have rested under a tree now called ‘Mary’s Tree’. There, too, the Infant Jesus caused water to flow from a spring. The family used the water and Mary poured the washing water onto the ground, and from that spot, a fragrant balsam plant with healing properties blossomed.
Continuing south, the Holy family passed the Fortress of Babylon (Old Cairo) and reached Maddy - the capital of Egypt at the time.
They went on from there to a spot later named Abai Issous ("the Home of Jesus"), the site of present-day Sandafa village, east of Al Bahnassa.
Muhammad al Baqir (676-731 AD) said that the nine-months-old Jesus attended the school at Al Bahnassa.
The teacher said to Jesus: “Say the alphabet.”
Jesus lifted up his head and said: “Dost thou know what these words mean?”
The teacher wished to strike him, but Jesus said: “Do not strike me, but if thou dost not know, ask me and I shall explain to thee.”
“Speak,” said the teacher.
“Come down from thy desk,” answered Jesus.
The teacher came down and Jesus took his place and began to say: “The Alif stands for the good deeds of God, Da for the glory of God, the Gim for the splendor of God, the Dal for the religion of God, the Ha for the abyss of hell, the Wa indicates the misery of those living in hell, the Ha means the remission of sins of those who ask for forgiveness, the K is the word of God which will never change, the Sad is the measure for a measure, the Ta stands for the serpents of hell.”
“Well,” said the teacher to the Blessed Virgin, “take thy Son and watch over Him for God hath given to Him wisdom and He doth not need a teacher.”
They went south from Al Bahnassa to Samalout and crossed the Nile again from that town to Gabal Al-Tair, where the Monastery of the Virgin now stands upon. The Holy Family rested in the cave which is now located inside the ancient Church also called Gabal El-kaf (Palm Mountain). Coptic tradition says that as the Holy Family rested in the shade of the mountain, Jesus stretched His little hand to hold back a rock which was about to detach itself from the mountain side and fall upon them, the imprint of His palm is still visible (if you’ve seen Kung Fu Hustle - and countless other fiction martial arts films - then you may see the connection).
Then the Holy Family passed a laurel tree south of Gabal El-Tair, along a pathway leading from the mountain to Nazlet-Ebeid and the present day New Minia Bridge. It is said that this tree bowed to worship the Christ as He was passing. All its branches incline downwards, trailing on the ground, and then turn upwards, covered in a cloak of green leaves. They call the tree Al-Abed, "The Worshipper."
Once more crossing the Nile, the Holy Family traveled south to the town of Al-Ashmounein, leaving behind them the rubble of fallen idols.
They continued to Dairout Al-Sharif and then to Qussqam, where they were evicted because the town’s idols fell before the Holy Family.
At their next stop, Meir, they found hospitality wherever they went, so the town and its people were abundantly blessed.
Next to Gabal (Mount) Qussqam where there would be "an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt". The Monastery of Al-Moharraq was built around the area where the Holy Family remained for about six months. Their time was spent mainly in a cave, which became the altar of the Church of Virgin Mary and the altar stone which supposedly was the resting place of the Child Jesus during the months He dwelt there. This place is also referred to as the Second Bethlehem. It is believed that at the very spot where the Al-Moharraq Monastery stands, the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, and said
"Arise, and take the young Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for they are dead which sought the young Child’s life." (Matthew 2:20)
Now, they are returning to Palestine through the city of Assiut, Old Cairo, Matareyah, Mahamma, then retracing their steps across Sinai to Palestine. They arrived home to Nazareth where, in time, the full story of Jesus would be heard.
These miracles and happenings are incredible to say the least! It is upsetting that the gospels do not give an account for the flight of the Holy Family during Infant Jesus’ refuge from the wrath of Herod. Especially when He has performed many blessings for His family and the towns that witnessed Him. No matter! The Coptic Christian Church in Egypt worked hard to preserve the literal steps of the Holy Family.
Glory be to GOD!