The flight to Egypt
The flight to Egypt, an event in the life of Jesus and his family, is recounted in the Gospel of Matthew rather than Luke. This event occurs after the visit of the Magi (wise men) and is a response to King Herod’s decree to kill all male children in Bethlehem who were two years old and under, in an attempt to eliminate the newborn “King of the Jews” whom the Magi had come to worship. Here is the biblical reference for the flight to Egypt:
- The Flight to Egypt: Found in Matthew 2:13-15, this passage describes how an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to take Mary and the child Jesus to Egypt for safety. The family’s flight and their stay in Egypt fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet Hosea: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
This event is significant in the biblical narrative for its demonstration of God’s providential care for Jesus from an early age, ensuring the fulfillment of His purposes and the protection of the Holy Family from the threats of Herod. It also fulfills Old Testament prophecy, linking Jesus to the history of Israel in a profound way, as seen in the reference to Hosea’s prophecy, “Out of Egypt I called my son” (Hosea 11:1), which originally referred to the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt but is here applied to Jesus’ return from Egypt to Israel.
Tradition about the route they took and the places they stayed
There is a tradition concerning the route the Holy Family took and the places they stayed during their flight to Egypt, though these details are not provided in the biblical text itself. The traditions surrounding the journey of the Holy Family into Egypt have been passed down through generations, particularly within the Coptic Christian tradition in Egypt. These stories have been commemorated in various ways, including through the designation of pilgrimage sites along the supposed route of the Holy Family.
Route and Stays
The traditional route of the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt and their subsequent sojourn in the country involves several key locations, many of which have become sites of religious significance and pilgrimage:
Entering Egypt: The Holy Family is believed to have entered Egypt near the current location of Rafah, which is today near the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.
Wadi El Natrun: Known for its early Christian monastic settlements, tradition says the Holy Family passed through this area. Wadi El Natrun is significant for its historical monasteries.
Cairo and Matariya: In what is now part of Greater Cairo, the Holy Family is said to have rested beneath a sycamore tree in Matariya, an event commemorated by the Church of the Virgin Mary in Haret Zuweila, among others.
Mostorod: Known for the “Virgin Mary Church,” Mostorod commemorates the site where the Holy Family is believed to have found refuge. The area is also known for the “Miraculous Well” where the Virgin Mary is said to have bathed Jesus.
Upper Egypt Locations: The journey extended into Upper Egypt with stops in various towns, including Assiut (where the Monastery of the Virgin Mary, known as the Monastery of Al-Muharraq, is said to mark a resting place) and Mount Qussqam, which is significant for its association with the longest period the Holy Family spent in one place.
Significance
These traditions are deeply rooted in the Coptic Orthodox Church and are commemorated through monasteries, churches, and annual celebrations. The narrative of the Holy Family’s flight and their time in Egypt is seen as a period of divine blessing for the land of Egypt and has fostered a deep sense of connection between the Christian community in Egypt and the Holy Family.
Scholarly Perspective
It’s important to note that these traditions, while rich in cultural and spiritual significance, are based on apocryphal texts and local lore rather than the canonical biblical texts. Archaeological and historical evidence for the precise route and stops of the Holy Family’s journey is sparse. Nonetheless, the tradition of the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt is an integral part of Christian heritage, especially within the Coptic Orthodox Church, and continues to inspire faith and devotion among Christians around the world.
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