Called by the name of the Hanging Church, the Church of the Virgin Mary in the Coptic Cairo enjoys a popularity among both Copts and tourists. It was named the Hanging Church, or al-Muallaqa in Arabic,  due to its location above the ancient Babylon fortress. The other names for the same complex are the Church of Steps, for people have to climb a flight of stairs before reaching the gate of the church; the Church of the Column, for it was reported that the Virgin Mary herself appeared to the faithful on one of the columns of the church in response to their supplications.
Continue reading The Hanging Church →