On Tuesday, April 2, 1968, after sunset and evening, the street overlooking the Public Transport Authority garage opposite the church was quiet, except for the occasional passing car and a few pedestrians. Suddenly, the attention of two female passersby and two garage workers was caught by an unusual movement above the church’s central dome. The workers put down their teacups to stare at the sight, unable to believe what they were seeing.
A woman in white was prostrating herself next to the cross atop the central dome. Farouk Mohamed Atwa, a garage worker, shouted warnings to the woman not to throw herself from the top. Pointing his finger, which was bandaged due to a serious injury and was expected to be amputated by a surgeon in the morning, he shouted at the top of his voice to the woman to come down and not throw herself down, as he thought she was about to commit suicide. He then quickly went to call the emergency police, while the rest of the workers crossed the street in the hope of summoning the church priest, Father Constantine Moussa, from his home near the church. Indeed, the church’s resident servant responded and went to the home of Father Constantine Moussa, eagerly saying, “The Virgin is on the dome of the church.” Father Constantine later stated that he had seen her in a half-lit scene. Some garage workers then turned their torch toward the dome, brightening the scene even more. Then, those present saw her standing on her feet, dressed in luminous clothing. One of the non-Christian women shouted, “It’s Our Lady Mary!”
At that moment, a flock of luminous beings suddenly appeared, resembling doves. It was unclear where they came from, and they flew over the site of the apparition. From that moment, people began to gather and crowd around the church every night.