Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Zeitoun, Egypt (1968-1971)

(5 minute video clip)

As Our Lady of Light

Approved on May 4, 1968 by Pope of Coptic Orthodox Church and Local Catholic Bishop

Miracles & Signs: Accompanying objects (Doves, Stars and Glowing Balls of Light, Cross, Incense, Clouds), Healings, Conversions

Summary: Our Lady reportedly appeared in Zeitoun, Egypt hovering above Saint Mark’s Coptic Church for a span of three years. She appeared on many occasions especially at night, and sometimes she was accompanied by white doves. The apparitions attracted large crowds up to 250,000 people including Christians, Jews, and Moslems. The apparitions were photographed, filmed and broadcast on Egyptian TV. An estimated 40 million people witnessed the events.

Apparitions of the Blessed Holy Virgin Mary
at El-Warraq Coptic Orthodox Church, Greater Cairo, Egypt (December 2009)

(3 minute video clip)

Warraq el-Hadar is a small island in greater Cairo’s Nile river (Giza governorate, part of Greater Cairo). It is a poor district. More than 200,000 (Christians and Muslims) have so far witnessed the December 2009 apparitions on the domes of Virgin Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church in El-Warraq (as at 22 December 2009). Apparition lights in the night sky could also be seen several kilometers away from the church. People used their mobile phones to make videos of the apparitions and share them via Bluetooth and on YouTube. The full silhouette of the Blessed Holy Virgin Mary dressed in light blue gown could be clearly seen over the domes of the church between the church crosses. The apparitions also received wide media coverage in Egyptian newspapers and Arabic TV channels. The apparitions started in the Coptic month of Kiahk (December 2009), the Marian month/Nativity Fast in the Coptic Calendar. During this month the Coptic Church celebrates a special Midnight Praise dedicated to the Holy Virgin and the Incarnation.

Statement from Giza Coptic Orthodox Bishopric

In the era of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and Anba Dumadius, Archbishop of Giza

The Bishopric of Giza announces that the Holy Virgin has appeared in a transfiguration at the Church named after her in Warraq al-Hadar, Giza, in the early hours of Friday 11 December 2009 at 1:00am. The Holy Virgin appeared in her full height in luminous robes, above the middle dome of the church, in pure white dress and a royal blue belt. She had a crown on her head, above which appeared the cross on top of the dome. The crosses on top of the church’s domes and towers glowed brightly with light. The Holy Virgin moved between the domes and on to the top of the church gate between its two twin towers. The local residents all saw her.

The apparition lasted from 1:00am till 4:00am on Friday, and was registered by cameras and cell phones. Some 3,000 people from the neighbourhood, surrounding areas, and passers-by gathered in the street in front of the church to see the apparition.

Since Friday, the huge crowds gathered in the vicinity of the church have been seeing luminous white pigeons soaring above the church during various times of the night, as well as a star which emerges suddenly in the heaven, travels some 200 metres across, then disappears. The huge crowds gathered around the church do not cease singing hymns and praises for the Holy Virgin.

This is a great blessing for the Church and for all the people of Egypt.
May her blessing and intercession benefit us all.

Signed
Anba Theodosius
Bishop-General of Giza