A Light from Heaven

Original Book Title: نور من السماء
Author Name: Wagih Rizk
Publisher Name: Wagih Rizk
Publication Year: N/A
Book Language: Arabic
ISBN: N/A

Book Summary:

Three friends,Sadeq Aziz, Wagih Rizk, and Gergis Mousa, were accustomed to being around the Church of the Virgin Mary in Zeitoun every night until morning during the period of the Virgin Mary’s apparitions, which began on April 2, 1968. This was because of their professions being investigative journalists and photographers. Initially, they experienced a period of confusion due to the miraculous and unusual nature of the event. However, as the apparitions continued consistently for many nights, they became convinced of its truth and decided to write this book.

The three friends did not merely witness the blessed apparition; they thoroughly investigated it through numerous discussions and interviews with those who claimed to have seen the Holy Virgin. They also verified miracles that occurred before their very eyes. One of the most notable miracles happened to one of them, photographer Wagih Rizk, while he was capturing an image of the Virgin Mary appearing above the church dome. This event brought them to a state of certainty about the authenticity of the apparitions and the accompanying miracles.

Introduction of the Book:

The book was reviewed by His Grace Bishop Shenouda, Bishop of Education, who later became His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church. He wrote the introduction to the book, in which he addressed several important questions, such as the teachings of the Holy Bible regarding the possibility of saints’ apparitions, why the Virgin Mary appeared in Egypt, and specifically in the Zeitoun district, and what the appearance of luminous dove-like spiritual beings accompanying the Virgin’s apparition signified.

Purpose of the Book:

The aim of the book is to confirm the reality of the apparition from the perspective of people who witnessed it after spending many nights around the church during the apparition period, observing, documenting, and interviewing those who saw it with their own eyes.

Contents of the Book:

The book addresses several doubts and questions raised by the skeptics. It also covers how news of the apparition spread through Egyptian and international media. Additionally, it includes the official papal statement issued by the Papal Residence of the Coptic Orthodox Church regarding the apparition, as well as a detailed account of the press conference held on May 4, 1968, at the Papal Residence in Azbakeya, which was attended by over 150 journalists representing Egyptian, Arab, and international newspapers.

The book also contains a brief biography of the Virgin Mary during her time in the temple, the Holy Family’s journey to Egypt, including their passage through Zeitoun, and some of the miracles that accompanied the apparitions. It is supplemented with photographic evidence captured by Wagih Rizk, one of the book’s authors and a professional photographer.