The Apparitions in Egypt 1968~1969, Michel Nil
Original Book Title: Les Apparitions De La Vierge En Egypte
Author Name: Michel Nil
Publisher Name: TÉQUI – Paris, France
Publication Year: 1st Edition 1978 – 3rd Edition 1980
Book Language: French
ISBN: 2 85244 409 7
Zeitoun was a spectacle of celestial light: in the night, without words, out of proportion in its magnificence to our human spectacles. Who was this resplendent Lady, whom simple muslim drivers or mechanics from this suburb of Cairo glimpsed an April evening in 1968 on the dome of a Christian Church? Believers of all faiths who soon flocked to the scene and returned several times, enthusiastic, did not take long to agree that it was Mary herself; and the Coptic Orthodox Church—the largest religious minority in Egypt—recognized after a month, compelled by the evidence, the authenticity of these divine apparitions of a magnitude unprecedented in history. Michel Nil, during a stay of only one week (in April 1978), was of course only able to interview a few of the thousands of visionaries of 1968-1969: he believes that their testimonies, which he publishes today, will be sufficient to win the reader’s approval. He deemed it necessary, however, to complete and expand his work by providing translations of excerpts from foreign documentation on this subject, as France, alas!, had made virtually no mention of these grandiose apparitions.
The author strives to conclude by highlighting the impact that this “new visit of the Mother of God to Egypt” may have had or will have on ecumenism in the broad sense, and the impact it has most likely already had on peace—internal and external—in this part of the world. (Back Cover Note by Author Michel Nil)
Preface by Michel Nil:
“I have no reason to doubt.” These laconic but significant words were spoken to me by His Eminence Cardinal Stephanos I Sidarouss, Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Egypt, during the audience he granted me at his residence in Cairo on April 28, 1978.
On this May 28, 1978, I transcribe them with gratitude because not only have they strengthened my own faith in the authenticity of the deeds of Zeitoun, but they constitute an implicit endorsement of my undertaking, which is to make these facts known and to share this faith with as many French-speaking readers as possible.
How did I come to embark on this undertaking? To explain it, I will have to go back further in time. But first of all, one will read the few lines that my old and respectable friend, Abbot Jacques Vauthrin, agreed to write to me to be placed at the head of this book, and which constitute for me a second encouragement to its publication: I thank him wholeheartedly. – M.N.
| Table of Contents | Page |
| Preface | 9 |
| THE GENESIS OF THE PILGRIMAGE TO ZEITOUN | |
| The preliminaries | 13 |
| 1968 | 13 |
| 1969 | 14 |
| 1977 (June – September) | 16 |
| The wish and the preparations of the pilgrimage | 19 |
| The wish : autumn 1977, and the article of “Le Monde Copte” | 19 |
| The preparations of the pilgrimage: winter 1977-1978 | 25 |
| THE PILGRIMAGE, THE INVESTIGATIONS | |
| Making contact and the dual pilgrimage | 33 |
| The welcome : Saturday 22 April 1978 | 33 |
| The Pilgrimage “Fatima-Zeitoun” : Sunday 23 April 1978 | 34 |
| The Investigations | 39 |
| First Day: (Monday 24 April) Arrival and Lodging ; The Enigma of the “Resurrection of the young girl” in Zeitoun Church ; Testimonials of some Catholics and the Family of Taher, a Muslim, about the Apparitions of the Virgin.
|
39 |
| Second Day: (25 April) Testimonials of Marie Simji, sacristan of Our Lady of Fatima Church ; and Fakhry Farid Bestauros, a medical representative from an Orthodox family.
|
60 |
| Third Day: (26 April) Getting Lebanese Visa ; The reality of the “Resurrection” of the young girl Rosa Kamel Gaouragui ; Interview of Fr. Boutrous, the brother of the Coptic Patriarch and pastor of Zeitoun Church at the family house of Wissa ; Testimony of Madame Berthe Gawli, the former director of the Lycee Francais in Cairo ; and the Lawyer Mr. Louis Zekry Wissa, a Coptic Orthodox ; The reception of the Statue of Our Lady of Fatima (The Queen of the World) in the Church of Heliopolis ; the gesture of President Sadat ; Testimony of Mr. Samy Goubran, an Engineer and his wife, Coptic Orthodox. | 66 |
| Fourth Day: (27 April) Testimony of the two daughters of Mr. Samy Goubran and the husband of one of them ; and of Victor Bestaouros and Ms. Naira a Coptic Orthodox student.
|
80 |
| Fifth Day: (28 April) Good Friday for Coptic Orthodox and other Christians of Egypt. – The interview with Cardinal Stephanous I Sidarous, the Coptic Catholic Patriarch ; Conversations with a Catholic religious of Notre-Dame-des-Apôtres, the Catholic school of Zeitoun ; Testimony of Mr. Magdy Hana and his two Catholic daughters ; and of Madiha Mohammed Said, a young muslim lady cured by Our Lady of Zeitoun ; The Catholic Office of Prayers in Daher ; The red roses at our Lady of Fatima Church in Heliopolis.
|
89 |
| Sixth Day: (29 April) Farewell, Pilgrimage to Mattariah, Testimony in the Airport of Father L. a Catholic Maronite Religious – In Lebanon: Pilgrimage to our Lady of Harrisa and St. Charbel – In The Holy Land. Return to France (Saturday May 6th, 1978) | 100 |
| THE DOCUMENTATION | |
| List of the Reports and Articles of the apparitions of Zeitoun | 107 |
| Documents and Sources of the apparitions and miracles done by Our Lady of Zeitoun: | 113 |
| In French
La Revue Catholique Vers Demain (no. 3 – 1970) Le Monde Copte (no.1 & 2 – 1977) La Revue de Parapsycholgie Psi International (no. 5 – 1978) |
113 |
| In Arabic | 113 |
| a) “Egypt welcomes the Virgin” (excerpts) | 114 |
| b) “40 Miracles of the Virgin Mary” (excerpts) | 116 |
| c) “Healing Miracles following the apparitions of Zeitoun” (excerpts) | 124 |
| d) “The Virgin in Zeitoun, The Report of the Apparitions” (excerpts) | 126 |
| In English: | 131 |
| a) “Our Lady of Zeitoun” | 131 |
| b) “Our Lord’s Mother visits Egypt in 1968 by Pearl Zaki” (excerpts) | 131 |
| c) The German version of the Book of Fr. Jerome Palmer: | |
| “No spoken message: Our Lady returns to Egypt” (excerpts) | 142 |
| Conclusion | 155 |
Detailed summary:
1- Historical context of the apparitions
The apparitions of the Virgin Mary of Zeitoun, a district in northern Cairo, Egypt, began on April 2, 1968. At that time, Egypt was experiencing political upheaval, particularly after the defeat in the Six-Day War in 1967, which left a sense of bitterness and despair among the population. In this context, the Virgin’s apparitions were perceived by many as a sign of hope and comfort.
The Coptic Church of the Virgin Mary, where these apparitions took place, was already a symbolic location. According to Christian tradition, the Holy Family had crossed Egypt to escape Herod’s persecution, making Egypt a land rich in biblical and spiritual significance.
2- Details of the apparitions
The apparitions of Zeitoun began when Muslim workers reportedly saw a luminous figure resembling a woman standing on the church dome. Initially, they mistook her for someone attempting suicide. But when she disappeared and reappeared several times, the witnesses realized it was something supernatural.
Over the months and years, thousands of people gathered around the church to witness these apparitions, which were characterized by:
- Luminous manifestations :
The Virgin Mary appeared in various forms as a bright silhouette floating above the church. Sometimes, she was surrounded by luminous doves, a traditional Christian symbol of the Holy Spirit.
- Repetition of the phenomenon :
These apparitions occurred over several years (1968-1971), with frequent appearances, sometimes lasting several hours. This allowed large crowds to witness the event.
- Absence of verbal messages :
Unlike famous apparitions such as Lourdes (France) or Fatima (Portugal), the Virgin Mary did not deliver any messages or words during these apparitions. The faithful interpreted her mere presence as a sign of divine intercession and blessing.
3- Testimonies and recognition
What makes these apparitions particularly unique is that they were witnessed not only by Christians but also by Muslims and people of other various faiths.
The phenomenon was widely covered by Egyptian and international media. There were photographs and films of these manifestations, although the quality of this visual evidence is often debated.
Important religious figures, including Coptic Orthodox Pope Cyril VI, confirmed the authenticity of the apparitions. The Egyptian government also sent investigators to examine the events, and they found no rational or scientific explanation for these luminous manifestations, reinforcing the belief that it was a supernatural phenomenon.
4- Spiritual and social significance
- A message of hope and comfort after the military defeat of 1967 and the ensuing economic difficulties. It was seen as a sign of divine presence amidst the country’s trials.
- A symbol of unity between Egypt’s various religious communities, all of whom witnessed the apparitions.
- A reinforcement of the faith of Coptic Christians, who often face marginalization as a religious minority in Egypt.
- International impact :
The phenomenon attracted international attention, sparking the curiosity of pilgrims and researchers from around the world. The apparitions were documented in both religious and secular publications, giving Zeitoun particular importance in the narrative of Marian apparitions.
Conclusion
In his book, Michel Nil emphasizes the importance of these apparitions as both a religious and socio-political phenomenon. He analyzes the repercussions of these events on Christian faith as well as on relations between Christians and Muslims in Egypt. By focusing on eyewitness accounts and visual evidence, he explores how these apparitions have shaped the spiritual landscape of Egypt.
