The Truth About the Apparition of the Virgin Mary

The Author: Mahmoud Salah
Original Book Title: حقيقة ظهور العذراء
The Publisher: Egyptian General Book Authority
Publication Year: 2001
Book Language:
ISBN: 977-01-7122-0

Author

Mahmoud Salah is a journalist and graduate of the Faculty of Mass Communication, Cairo University. He is the head of the crime section at Akhbar Al-Youm newspaper and has authored numerous works. His experience as a journalist at Akhbar Al-Youm influenced his understanding of the apparitions, and he drew much of his information from what was written in the newspaper.

Book Content

  • The book’s main subject, as indicated by the title, is an investigation into the apparition of the Virgin Mary at her church in Zeitoun in 1968.
  • The book also includes the incident of radiant lights appearing at St. Mark’s Church in Assiut, as it was the closest event to the time of the book’s preparation. It records the statement of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III confirming the miraculous nature of this phenomenon, although it is not considered an apparition of the Virgin Mary like the one in Zeitoun.
  • Regarding the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in general, he wrote about this phenomenon: “Christians believe, deep down, that the apparitions of the Virgin Mary and the spiritual manifestations of saints are an integral part of Christianity, and they see in them a divine revelation of God’s essence and will… But what is certain is that the apparitions of the Virgin Mary have increased in the twentieth century, in various forms, and more than 300 apparitions of the Virgin Mary were recorded in different places around the world throughout the twentieth century.”
  • The author discussed in detail the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France, and the village of Fatima, Portugal, then in Belgium and Spain.
  • The author dedicated the largest chapter of the book to the apparition of the Virgin Mary in Zeitoun in 1968. He drew most of his documentation about this apparition from the Al-Akhbar newspaper, a national newspaper (owned by the government and reflecting the government’s opinion).
  • The author noted that the May 5, 1968 issue confirmed the apparition, stating: “The Al-Akhbar newspaper appeared with the main headline on its front page: ‘Official statement from Pope Cyril VI announces: ‘Apparition of the Virgin Mary in the Zeitoun Church.’ The statement says: ‘Thousands of citizens from various religions and sects have confirmed seeing the Virgin Mary. Their testimonies are unanimous. The Virgin Mary appeared on different nights and in different forms. She moved, walked, faced the onlookers, blessed them, and healed them.'” He also mentioned that the newspaper published in this issue the photograph of the apparition taken by photographer Wagih Rizk.
  • The author stated that the newspaper, in its May 6, 1968 issue, published extensive details and investigations about the apparition, including the gathering of over 20,000 people to see the Virgin Mary. It also detailed the story of photographer Wagih Rizk capturing the image of the Virgin Mary’s apparition above the domes of her church. The same issue also included interviews conducted by the newspaper with those who had seen the Virgin Mary.
  • The author recorded a detailed description of the apparition based on the May 7, 1968 issue of the same newspaper. The author quoted the following from the newspaper: “People are talking about nothing but the Virgin Mary after her apparition at her church in Zeitoun. Thousands flock to the church at sunset, all with eager anticipation to see her on their faces… The familiar scene now, every day and throughout the day, is that crowds of people remain steadfast and patient in their places, their eyes fixed on the church domes, awaiting the Virgin Mary’s appearance… But she has not appeared, and those with these faces insist on not leaving until the early hours of the morning… Women and girls.” In the same issue, the author added several examples of miraculous healings associated with the apparitions and included the first statement by His Holiness Pope Cyril VI regarding the full truth of the apparitions.
  • The author dedicated the final chapter of his book to an important topic—documenting the apparition of the Virgin Mary in Zeitoun—specifically, Pope Cyril VI’s declaration, on the occasion of the celebration of the arrival of the relics of Saint Mark the Apostle and the consecration of the Great Cathedral in Abbassia, of the truth of the Virgin Mary’s apparition. This declaration was made before the late President Gamal Abdel Nasser, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, senior government officials, and delegations from various churches and Christian denominations.
  • The author recorded the text of Pope Cyril VI’s words, in which he wrote: “Undoubtedly, you will be delighted to trace the path of the Holy Family in Egypt and visit the places they passed through and were blessed by their presence. It is as if divine will intended to reveal the landmarks of the road travelled by the pure and holy Virgin Mary. She appeared to thousands of people many times above the domes of her church in the Zeitoun district, the same district through which the Holy Family passed on their arrival in Egypt. This was accompanied by miracles of healing granted to many sick people of various races and religions, whom medicine had failed to cure. What great blessings and abundant graces that strengthened our faith! Many were brought closer to God, and those who were far away were brought near. Thus, the name of the Zeitoun will remain an emblem of peace and a symbol of eternal honour.”