The Church of St Sergius & Bacchus

Nestled within the ancient walls of Cairo lies a timeless gem, the Church of St. Sergius & Bacchus. This venerable church stands as a living testament to centuries gone by, its foundations rooted in the 3rd and 4th centuries, making it the oldest church within these hallowed precincts.

Stepping into this 11th-century marvel, one treads upon the very ground where a sacred tale unfolds. It is a place steeped in history, where beneath the hallowed sanctuary lies a crypt—a solemn chamber that once cradled the Holy Family: Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus. They sought refuge here, escaping the wrath of King Herod of Judea, who sought to extinguish their divine light by ordering the slaughter of all firstborns.

The cave that offered solace to the Holy Family has been transformed into a sacred crypt, a place of deep reverence and reflection. To reach this subterranean sanctum, visitors must descend the steps from a chapel on the left side of the altar. Every year, on the hallowed day of June 1st, a special mass is conducted, a poignant commemoration of the events that transpired within these ancient walls.

Navigating one’s way to this spiritual haven is a straightforward journey. Following the central thoroughfare known as Haret Al-Qdees Girgis, at the intersection, take a right turn, then a left as the path meanders. This will guide you to a stairwell leading below street level, where the entrance to this sacred sanctuary beckons.

The Church of St. Sergius & Bacchus extends a warm invitation to step back in time, to walk in the footsteps of the Holy Family, and to embrace the serenity that has graced this venerable place for centuries. Here, history and faith converge, offering a profound glimpse into Egypt’s enduring spiritual legacy—a sanctuary where the sacred and the secular seamlessly intertwine, where the past resonates in the present, and where visitors from around the world can partake in the enduring tapestry of Egypt’s rich spiritual heritage.