ancient pillars in the Church of the Holy Virgin at Gabal al –Tayr. April 19, 2017 4912 × 3264 ancient pillars in the Church of the Holy Virgin at Gabal al –Tayr. Photo: Shangyun Shen, ancient pillars in the Church of the Holy Virgin at Gabal al-Tayr. In one of the pillars a baptistery has been built which is not seen in any other church in Egypt. These pillars are carved in the rock of the cliff.