Saint Sergius and Bacchus Church

The Saint Sergius and Bacchus Church is the most important part of This Coptic church was built in Old Cairo sometime in the fourth century CE. According to legend, this site was chosen because it is located over a cave where Jesus, Mary and Joseph rested for some time at the end of their flight from King Herod's persecution in Palestine as refugees to Egypt.

The Saint Sergius and Bacchus Church has burned and been restored several times over the centuries, suffering its first fire in 750 and was last restored in 2000.

The Saint Sergius and Bacchus Church is named in honor of two saints revered in the earliest Christian denominations. Sergius and Bacchus were apparently high-ranking officers of the Roman army, who were discovered to be Christians before being tortured and killed. Although there is much doubt about the legend, many churches throughout the Mediterranean region bear their names.

Factes about Saint Sergius and Bacchus Church

The Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus, two early Syrian Christian martyrs, is located in the Old Cairo district (Masr El Qadima). The church is considered the oldest church in Egypt, dating back to the 4th century. It is believed that the Holy Family stayed in the cave behind the sanctuary before leaving Egypt on their way back to Palestine. The church was badly affected by the fires that burned the city of Fustat during the Crusades, so it was later rebuilt. Many patriarchs of Alexandria were elected here. Of special interest in the church is the Basilican style of architecture with a wooden iconostasis, altar, three shrines, and the Crypt of the Virgin behind.