Zeitoun: Apparitions of the Virgin, Miracles, Prayers

Between April 1968 and September 1979, the Virgin appeared hundreds of times at Zeitoun in Cairo, above a Coptic church. According to tradition, this is the place where the Holy Family stayed during the flight into Egypt. These apparitions, all nocturnal and silent, could be photographed. They were officially recognized by the Coptic and Catholic Churches, as well as by Muslim authorities. Many miracles and healings occurred at the site of the apparitions, and extraordinary phenomena continue to occur to this day.

Discover other Marian apparitions around the world; those at Knock in Ireland were also seen by all present!

History of the Apparitions of the Virgin Mary at Zeitoun in Egypt

Construction of a Church in Cairo in 1924

In 1920, Tawfiq Khalil Bey, a Coptic Egyptian, planned to build an apartment building on his land in Zeitoun, a popular neighborhood of Cairo. The Virgin Mary appeared to him in a dream and promised that if he changed his project to build a church, she would honor the place in a singular way. The church was built in 1924 by an Italian architect.

The Apparitions of Our Lady in 1968

On April 2, 1968, Muslim mechanics and drivers arrived at their workplace, a public transport garage located just opposite the church, when they saw a lady in white kneeling at the foot of the cross on the dome of the church.

For months, the apparitions continued, preceded by supernatural phenomena described by numerous witnesses: first they saw what resembled diamond rain, then doves of light, sometimes gathering to form a cross, finally ochre clouds piled up emanating a fragrance of incense. After these precursor signs, the Virgin appeared. The radiance of the Holy Virgin, comparable to that of the sun, was so powerful that witnesses could barely distinguish details of her appearance. Sometimes the Virgin knelt before the cross placed atop the dome, sometimes she leaned toward the crowd smiling, blessing them with an olive branch. The description of the Virgin made by witnesses recalls in many points that of the miraculous medal seen by Saint Catherine Labouré in Paris in 1830. On various occasions, witnesses saw the Virgin holding the Child Jesus, accompanied by Saint Joseph, or by Jesus aged about twelve. For weeks, the influx of crowds grew steadily, reaching 250,000 people, causing major traffic jams. Coptic Christians and Muslims came in large numbers, some praying Christian hymns, others reciting verses from the Quran. They remained standing entire nights, contemplating the apparition, showing surprising physical endurance especially among children. The duration of the Virgin's presence could last up to two hours.

Recognition by the Church

The Coptic Orthodox Patriarch, Cyril VI instituted an investigation commission, composed of bishops and priests, tasked with authenticating the facts and testimonies. Several commission members themselves witnessed the apparitions. Official recognition took place on May 5, 1968. Here are the words spoken on that occasion by the Coptic Patriarch, relayed at the time by worldwide press: "The Patriarchal See declares with complete faith, great joy and humble gratitude to the Almighty, that the Blessed Virgin Mary has appeared repeatedly in clear and stable forms, during many nights and for varying periods, lasting up to more than two hours, since April 2, 1968 until now, above the Coptic Orthodox church of Zeitoun, Cairo, on the road to Matarieh, where the Holy Family passed during its stay in Egypt, as tradition reports. We hope this blessing will be a sign of peace for the world and an omen of prosperity for our beloved and blessed country."

Shortly after, the Coptic Catholic Patriarch, Cardinal Stephanos I Sidarous, associated himself with this recognition by saying: "There is no doubt about the reality of these apparitions, which have been confirmed by many trustworthy Coptic Catholic faithful known for their extreme integrity. They witnessed the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and gave me very complete descriptions."

Finally, the Vatican, represented by the Catholic pro-nuncio, Archbishop Lino Zanini, declared that: "The Holy See respects in this matter the authority of the local Church and defers to its judgment."

Today, a medical committee has been established to record all testimonies of healings, which are very numerous. Some people were healed during the apparitions, others shortly after attending. Here are some remarkable cases:

During the apparitions, Farouk Mohammed Atwa was going to the hospital to treat his finger that had been amputated due to gangrene. When the doctor examined him on April 3, 1968, he was astonished to find the finger completely healed.
Wagih Rizk, a photographer witnessed the apparition three times in a row; the radiance of the Virgin was such that he remained "electrified and incapable of doing anything". On the fourth evening, April 13, 1968, Wagih managed to take photos. He testifies: "It was a terribly impressive experience. I felt the earth would vanish beneath my feet. After taking these shots, I realized that a nasty wound I had on my arm for several years, a sequela of a car accident, had completely disappeared."
Also cite: Sami Abd-el-Malek, aged 40, healed of terminal bladder cancer; Fathma Zahi Reda, a devout Muslim healed of an incurable thyroid gland condition; Madiha Mohammed Saïd aged 20, healed of nervous disorders that had left her blind and unable to speak; William Nashed Zaki, a renowned doctor, healed of a hernia; Mrs. Mahmoud Shoukry Ibrahim, aged 45, healed of total paralysis of the lower limbs.

What About Today?

Zeitoun has become a major Marian pilgrimage site, where many conversions occur. Other apparitions have occurred in Egypt since then, at Assiout in 2000, at Waraq el Hadar (in Cairo), at Thanabo and at Baghoura in 2010. These apparitions were also visible to all and accompanied by delightful fragrances. Moreover, some testimonies claim that apparitions resumed at Zeitoun in 2015-2016.

Prayer to Our Lady of Zeitoun

Blessed...

Blessed are you O Mary, our mother

Blessed are you, the pride of our race

You, Mary are exalted above the cherubim

And honored O Mary above the seraphim

Your apparition...

Your apparition in our church at Zeitoun

Was splendid and glorious

It was seen in its most beautiful and glorious form

A scene that no pen nor tongue can describe

In your presence...

The heart respects and the spirit obeys

The mouth is blessed and the pen is sanctified

When we pronounce your name

We are enraptured by the glory of your lights

Thanks to this...

We exalt you, O Mother of God

We bless you, you who bore the cluster of life

Blessed are you our compassionate Mother

Blessed are you the olive tree.

With Hozana, Continue Your Prayer!

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