Hanging Church, Egypt

The Hanging Church in Egypt is the most popular Coptic Church in Cairo. The church dates back to 3rd cent AD and the beginning of the 4th century AD. The church has been restored with the change of time and objects that were redundant are preserved in the Coptic Museum.

The Hanging Church in Cairo got its name from its location on the top of the southern tower gate of the old Babylonian fortress. In the 14- 15 centuries the church also became popular as the Staircase Church due to the 29 steps leading to the entrance.

The Hanging Church in Egypt was built in a traditional basilican style with three aisles, a narthex and tripartite sanctuary. Later another chapel was constructed known as the little church and now is the oldest part in the church. In the 19th century a fourth aisle was added. The church is 23.5 meters long, 18.5 meters wide and 9.5 meters high.

The Hanging Church in Egypt has played an important in the Coptic Church History, as it had been the seat of the patriarchs after it was transferred from Alexandria to Al- Fustat. The 66th patriarch Pope Ana Christodolos (1039- 1079) chanted the liturgy in the church. Here in the church there are 110 icons and the oldest among them belongs to the 8th century.

In the church one will find the nave and the two aisle, 3 sanctuaries. Among the three sanctuaries the middle one is most important and is dedicated to Mary. There are 7 altars, 3 of them are in the main sanctuary, 3 in the right sanctuary and 1 in northern side.

Here at the Hanging Church in Cairo several important festivals are celebrated like the enthronement of the patriarchs. The church also has been a place where antiquities have been preserved especially in the Coptic Museum.