Assiut, Egypt: In southern Egypt, the Monastery of the Virgin Mary in Assiut became a focal point of devotion as hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gathered to honor the Virgin Mary during her annual feast, held from August 7 to 22. The historic monastery, revered as the final stop of the Holy Family’s journey in Egypt, includes an ancient cave believed to have sheltered Jesus, Mary, and Joseph before they returned to the Holy Land.
Monastic life in Upper Egypt has thrived since the fourth century under St. John of Egypt, also known regionally as John of Assiut. Today, the monastery continues its mission with daily Masses, baptisms, and welcoming countless pilgrims, preserving a rich spiritual heritage.
This year, attendance soared to over 750,000 devotees on the feast day, highlighting the enduring significance of the site, according to ACI MENA, CNA’s Arabic-language partner. The monastery complex features several churches, but the historic Cave Church, where Joseph once reportedly stored grain and the Holy Family stayed, remains the center of veneration. In later centuries, the cave served as refuge for Egypt’s persecuted Christians, many of whom converted such shelters into sacred spaces.
In a rare display for Coptic Orthodox tradition, statues were included in the celebrations. A new bronze statue of Mary, modeled after Our Lady of Lebanon, was installed, becoming the largest Marian statue in Egypt. The Egyptian Mint also released a commemorative series of 12 coins depicting key sites of the Holy Family’s journey across the country, including Assiut, locally known as Durunka.
The feast continues to reinforce the spiritual and cultural legacy of Assiut, drawing pilgrims from across Egypt and beyond to celebrate the Virgin Mary and the sacred history of the Holy Family’s journey.