Tree of the Virgin

The Tree of the Virgin is a sycamore tree in the El Matareya suburb of Cairo, Egypt. According to local beliefs, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph stopped at El Matareya (then a small village) on the Flight into Egypt. Mary rested against the tree and a spring of water sprang up near it for Mary to wash Jesus. For many years its bark was taken by Christians in the belief that it had miraculous properties.[1] It has been a place of pilgrimage for Coptic Christians for many centuries, who come to pray by it or touch it, believing that it will heal illness.[2] Next to the tree is a small chapel in El Matareya.[3]

References
  1. "Virgin Mary's Tree | Egypt Tourism Authority". web.archive.org. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-12-16.
  2. "Cairo Journal; A Tree Drooping With Its Ancient Burden of Faith - The New York Times". nytimes.com. Retrieved 2016-12-16.
  3. "9 Things To Do in Al Matariyah, Egypt". virtualtourist.com. Retrieved 2016-12-16.


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