To mark 100 years since the foundation and consecration of the church of the Holy Virgin in Zaitoun, Cairo, Pope Tawadros II presided over a centenary celebration held in the church during Vespers incense service on evening of Saturday 18 October 2025.
A number of metropolitans, bishops, priests, and representatives of several Christian denominations in Egypt attended the celebration, also public figures and diplomats, including Egypt's Minister of Solidarity Maya Morsi; and Nabil Habashi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration.
The Church of Holy Virgin in Zaitoun is famous for being the site of successive manifestations of the Holy Virgin that started on 2 April 1968 and lasted for more than two years. She appeared in unmistakeable luminous form, in full length, gracefully moving on the church domes and its spires near the cross. Thousands upon thousands witnessed these manifestation, experiencing sentiments being of engulfing, overwhelming joy; and reporting miracles especially of healing.
The 250sq.m church, which was built by the wealthy Copt Tawfiq Khalil Ibrahim, and modelled after Constantinople's famous Hagia Sophia, is believed to stand on a spot that hosted the Holy Family -- Baby Jesus, His mother Mary, and St Joseph -- while on their biblical flight into Egypt (Matthew 2: 13 - 21). Over time, the church could no longer accommodate the growing congregation and huge numbers of pilgrims who flocked to the site. President Gamal Abdel-Nasser decided to move the bus park opposite the church elsewhere, and allocate its land to the Coptic Church to build a cathedral on. The foundation stone for the new cathedral was placed by Pope Shenouda III on 25 March 1976. It is now among the largest in the Middle East and is known as the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin of Zeitoun; the original church is known as the church of the Holy Virgin of Zeitoun, or simply the Church of the Manifestation, or Apparition.
The recent celebration of the centennial of the Manifestation Church started with the arrival of Pope Tawadros who unveiled a commemorative plaque marking the occasion. He entered the small church, prayed Thanksgiving Prayer, then toured an exhibition featuring historical artefacts collected over the church's century-long history.
The Pope then headed to the cathedral opposite where he was welcomed by its drummer Scout band. The traditional procession of chanting deacons then formed, leading the Patriarch into the cathedral where a huge congregation burst into applause and joyful ululations.
The priests of the church delivered several words of welcome and appreciation to the Pope and spiritual father.
The Pope then gave a word in which he focused on the virtues of the Holy Virgin. He referenced the praise attributed to her in response to the angel's Annunciation as mentioned in Luke 1; also events cited in the Gospel of St John, such as the wedding at Cana in Galilee and the presence of the Holy Virgin under the Cross. Pope Tawadros said that her presence "brings to us the power of her intercession and grants us joy in the midst of pain."
The Pope talked of joy and its sources: prayer and praise, thanksgiving and contentment.
He stressed the vital role played by women in Church, specially in service, contemplation, and spiritual guidance. He noted that the church of the Holy Virgin in Zaitoun was inaugurated 100 years ago by Pope Kyrillos V, the 112th Patriarch.
"Through successive generations" the Pope concluded, "joy is passed on from one generation to the next."