The oldest altar - stone in history - the Monastery of al - Muharraq Assiut
Now it was time for the Holy Family to set out for what is, arguably, the most meaningful destination of all in the land of Egypt, the Place where there would be "an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt". Gabal (Mount) Qussqarn, which takes its name from the town nearby that was laid waste is 327 kms south of Cairo. and stands in the (governorate of Assuit The Monastery of AlMuharraq nestles against the western footlhills of the Mounlain.
The Monastery of Al Muharraq - Gabal (Mount) Qussqam - Assiut
It was built around the area where the Holy Family remained just over six months Their time as spent mainly in cave which became in the Coptic era the alt r of the Church of Virgin Mary built at the western d of the Monastery compound The altar-stone was the resting place of the Child Jesus during the months He dwelt there.
The Monastery of Al Muharraq - Gabal (Mount) Qussqam - Assiut
The whole area-the Monastery and its surroundings - is redolent of the Coptic Christian ethos So hallowed are its intimations that the Copts of Egypt named it the Second Bethlehem.
It was here at the very spot where Al-Muharraq Monastery stands that the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said "Arise, and take the young Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for they are dead which sought the young Child's life" (Matthew 2:20 & 21).