Built above one of the fortress towers of the Babylon, the Church of St. George is a Greek Orthodox church in Coptic Cairo. It was originally built in the 7th century, but the current structure was rebuilt following a 1904 fire. St. George is the only round church in Egypt, but unlike the original Church of the Holy Sepulchre and its many imitators, this is only for practical reasons – it is built atop the foundations of a Roman round tower.

Mar is a title of respect in Syriac, literally meaning my lord. It is given to all saints and bishops. Girgis is the Arabized adoption of the Greek word Georgios, thus Mar Girgis means St. George in English.

Photo: Shangyun Shen, the round Church of Mar Girgis.

Photo: Shangyun Shen, high relief of St. George slaying the dragon in the Church of Mar Girgis.

Photo: Shangyun Shen, inside the Church of Mar Girgis.

Photo: Shangyun Shen, Christ the Pantocrator painted inside the dome of the Church of Mar Girgis.

Photo: Shangyun Shen, a paiting depicting the flight into Egypt in the Church of Mar Girgis.

Photo: Shangyun Shen, bells in belfry of the Church of Mar Girgis.

Photo: Shangyun Shen, cemetery inside the church compound.

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