Newspaper Al-Akhbar
Publication date May 5, 1968
Language Arabic
ChatGPT said:
Official Statement from Pope Cyril VI Announcing:
The Apparition of the Virgin Mary at the Church of Zeitoun
The statement declares:
Thousands of citizens, from different religions and denominations, have confidently affirmed seeing the Virgin. Their descriptions were unanimous and consistent in every detail.
The Virgin appeared on different nights and in various forms; she moved, walked, faced the onlookers, blessed them, and healed the sick.
At the press conference held yesterday by Anba Athanasius, where he officially announced the apparition of the Virgin at the Church of Zeitoun, Anba Samuel presented to an audience of 150 Egyptian and international journalists the photographs capturing the Virgin’s appearance above the church on Tuesday evening.
The newspaper Al-Akhbar obtained the same photograph that Anba Athanasius had presented, showing the Virgin above the domes of the church.
The Apparition Began on April 2
The Virgin Had Appeared Three Times Before in the World
An official statement issued yesterday by Pope Cyril VI announced the apparition of the Virgin Mary at the Church of the Virgin on Toumanbey Street in Zeitoun.
The announcement was made public by Anba Athanasius, Metropolitan of Beni Suef, and Anba Samuel, Bishop of Social Services, during a press conference held at noon yesterday at the Patriarchate of the Coptic Orthodox Church, attended by more than 150 journalists representing both local and international media outlets.
The statement described how the apparition occurred, saying:
“Since the evening of Tuesday, April 2, the apparitions of the Virgin Mary have continued. These appearances have taken place on many different nights, and have not yet ceased, and in various forms. Sometimes, she appears as a full figure, and at other times, as an upper half, surrounded by a halo of radiant light.
At times, she appears through the openings of the church domes, and at others, outside the domes entirely. She moves and walks above them, bows before the upper cross, causing it to shine with brilliant light, faces the onlookers, blesses them, and heals the sick.”
Anba Gregorios, Bishop of Higher Education and Scientific Research, announced during the press conference that many miracles had taken place, and that these are currently being compiled into an official booklet.
Anba Samuel added that the Virgin Mary had appeared before in various parts of the world: At the Church of Lourdes in France on February 11, 1858, in the village of Fatima in Portugal in 1917, and in Jerusalem on June 21, 1954.
He explained that this is the fourth recorded apparition of the Virgin Mary, serving as a sign that God is with us, and that the Virgin grieves over what is happening in Jerusalem and the violations committed by the Israelis in the holy places.
The apparition of the Virgin Mary at the Church of the Virgin in Zeitoun has been officially confirmed. This was declared by His Holiness Pope Cyril VI, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, in a press conference held at 1:00 p.m. yesterday in the conference hall of the Papal Residence.
Before 150 journalists representing newspapers, radio stations, and international news agencies, Pope Cyril VI confirmed the apparition of the Virgin Mary at the Church of Zeitoun.
The Virgin blesses the onlookers and heals the sick, and that her appearance continued until five o’clock in the morning on one of the nights.
Report by Mikhail Khalil and Farid Adeeb:
Present at the conference from among the clergy were Anba Athanasius, Bishop of Beni Suef; Anba Abram, Metropolitan of Fayoum; Anba Samuel, Bishop of Social Services; and Father Gergis Matta, Director of the Patriarchal Office. The conference was attended by around 150 journalists, representing international and local newspapers, news agencies, and television networks. His Holiness Pope Cyril VI delegated Anba Athanasius, Bishop of Beni Suef, to read aloud the papal statement regarding this miracle, after which he immediately translated it into English.
The Statement
Since the evening of Tuesday, April 2, 1968, corresponding to 24 Baramhat, 1684. Our Lady, the Mother of Light, has appeared repeatedly at the Coptic Orthodox Church bearing her name on Tomanbay Street in the district of Zeitoun, Cairo.
These apparitions have continued over many different nights, and in various forms. At times, she appeared in full figure, and at other times, in half-length form, surrounded by a shimmering halo of radiant light. Sometimes she appeared through the openings of the church domes, and at other times outside them.
She was seen moving and walking above the domes, bowing before the upper cross, which would then shine with a brilliant light. She would face the onlookers, blessing them with her hands and gentle movements of her holy head. At times, she appeared as a luminous figure resembling a form of bright cloud, or as pure light, often preceded by swiftly moving spiritual forms resembling doves.
Each apparition lasted for a considerable period, sometimes up to two hours and fifteen minutes, as happened at dawn on Tuesday, April 30, 1968 (22 Baramouda, 1684), when her complete radiant form remained visible from 2:45 a.m. until 5:00 a.m. Thousands of citizens, from different religions and denominations, as well as foreigners, members of the clergy, scholars, professionals, and people from all walks of life, have affirmed with absolute certainty that they witnessed her.
Their collective testimonies, agreeing on the form, position, and timing of the vision, constitute unanimous evidence that the apparition of Our Lady, the Mother of Light, in this area is extraordinary and self-evident, beyond the need for further confirmation or explanation.
Two significant outcomes accompanied this apparition:
First:
A revival of faith in God, the afterlife, and the saints, and the illumination of divine knowledge in the hearts of many who had once been distant from Him. This led to repentance among many and a transformation of their lives.
Second:
The occurrence of remarkable miraculous healings, confirmed both scientifically and through collective testimonies.
The Papal Residence collected information on all these events through individual clergy and investigative committees, who personally examined and verified the apparitions. They documented their findings in detailed reports submitted to His Holiness Pope Cyril VI.
In issuing this statement, the Papal Residence declares with complete faith, great joy, and humble thanksgiving before the Divine Majesty, that Our Lady, the Mother of Light, has continued to appear in clear and consistent forms, on many different nights, for varying durations, some lasting more than two hours without interruption.
These appearances began on the evening of Tuesday, April 2, 1968 (24 Baramhat, 1684) and continue to this day, at the Coptic Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary on Tomanbey Street in the district of Zeitoun, Cairo, a road historically known to have been traversed by the Holy Family during their stay in Egypt.
May God make this blessing a symbol of peace for the world, and a grace for our beloved nation and its blessed people.
A Good sign
After the statement was read, the floor was opened for questions, which were answered by the attending bishops.
The first question asked:
“How do you interpret the occurrence of this miracle after the defeat (the June War)?”
Anba Gregorios replied:
“This apparition is a good omen, a heavenly sign from God that He is with us and on our side, to lift the spirits of our people and remind everyone that this crisis is but a passing one. Heaven stands with us and aids us.
The Virgin, who is the protector of the holy places in Jerusalem, which have been seized by the Jews, grieves deeply over what has happened there.
This apparition is therefore a sign from Heaven that God does not approve of what has taken place in Jerusalem. He is neither unaware nor indifferent, but rather watchful, seeing with His eyes and observing all things.
By His divine will, He sends us hope, a message that victory will be ours, and that He, in His mercy, strengthens within us the spirit of faith and confidence in triumph.
This, indeed, is a blessed and reassuring sign.”
The Role of scientists in investigating the apparition
The second question was:
“Has the Church invited scholars from universities to study and verify this miracle?”
Anba Samuel, Bishop of Social Services, replied:
“We now have a large collection of documents that will be published in a booklet. When the time comes, we will hold another meeting to present to you the various sets of these documents.
Naturally, we have already consulted a group of distinguished scientists and scholars to obtain their professional opinions on the matter.”
The Story of the Handkerchief
The third question concerned the handkerchief mentioned by Mrs. Marcelle, who claimed that the Virgin had touched it, leaving the imprint of her hand in blood and a cross visible upon it.
Anba Samuel responded:
“I have already explained that we are in the process of publishing a booklet that will include every case, each accompanied by scientific investigation. We are handling these matters with the scientific rigor we consider appropriate and sound.”
The Patriarchate’s Method of Verification
A foreign correspondent asked, why did the Pope not sign the official statement?
Anba Athanasius, Bishop of Beni Suef, replied, “The original document is indeed signed. It is an official and explicit statement issued directly by the Patriarchal residence.”
Another journalist inquired whether the Pope’s absence from the press conference had any connection to the lack of his signature.
Anba Athanasius responded, “The Patriarchate has its own established system for verifying matters, carried out through committees composed of bishops and priests. His Holiness the Pope does not act independently of this process. There was no absence, as some have suggested, it was simply the Pope’s hour of prayer. His Holiness had decided not to make any public declaration until all investigations were complete and conclusive evidence confirmed the apparition of Our Lady.”
A Message from the Virgin?
A journalist asked, was there any message delivered by the Virgin?”
Anba Athanasius replied, “As stated in the official declaration, the apparition was accompanied by two signs:
First:
A revival of faith in God, the afterlife, and the saints, and the illumination of divine knowledge in the hearts of many who had once been distant from Him. This led to repentance among many and a transformation of their lives.
Second:
The occurrence of remarkable miraculous healings, confirmed both scientifically and through collective testimonies.
The reporter pressed further “Was there any spoken message?”
The bishop answered, “There was no verbal message, only a divine message expressed through the apparition itself and its profound spiritual impact.”
Miracles
Q: Has the Patriarchate confirmed the occurrence of any tangible miracles?
A: “A great number of people have been healed and their faith strengthened. Many newspapers have already published accounts of some of these healings. We prefer that our statements be fully supported by evidence.”
The Apparition Lasted 135 Minutes
Q: Did any of the bishops or priests personally witness the apparition?
(Voices were heard replying: “Anba Athanasius himself!”)
Anba Athanasius answered:
“Yes, I saw her, along with countless others, tens of thousands.
We first saw the forms of two doves rise from the church, followed by a luminous, mist-like figure, like a cloud of light or fluorescent glow. Then, we saw the shape become radiant with light.
This vision lasted until five o’clock in the morning, she blessed the people by bowing her head. Everyone saw it: first as a profile of light, then she turned her face toward us.
For a long time, a white dove hovered above the dome, and the cross shone with intense brilliance.
This is not mere talk, we are beyond any doubt. Had the Patriarchate not exercised the utmost accuracy and caution, it would not have waited this long to make its declaration. This miracle has been shaking the heavens of the world for over a month.”
Q: Why Hasn’t the Vatican Announced It?
A: “Would the Vatican make an announcement before we do?”
Eyewitness Reports
Anba Athanasius continued, “Among us is Father Gergis, who lives next to the church, he saw her himself.
We also have another witness, Professor Louis Marcos, lecturer in English literature at the Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University. He was there on Tuesday and confirmed what he saw.
Dr. Mina Tadros testified that both a male and a female student from the Faculty of Medicine, his relatives, saw her early Tuesday morning.
And finally, Mr. Zaki Shenouda, Director of the Afro-Asian Conference, introduced himself to the attendees and said:
“I saw her at dawn on Sunday. She shone like the sun in the darkness and remained visible for about an hour and a half. Tens of thousands saw her, they were speaking to her, overcome with emotion, some even weeping.”
He went on
“I Saw Her as a Queen”
“I had doubted what I read in the newspapers for fifteen days. At last, I went there for four nights but did not see her. Anba Gregorios was with me.
Then, on Saturday, I arrived at 5 p.m. and stayed until 3 a.m. I kept saying to those around me, ‘Perhaps it’s just light from the garage…’
At 3:30, a man suddenly came running from Tomanbey Street, shouting, ‘I saw her!’ I rushed with the crowd toward the spot he pointed to, and I saw her.
I saw her in full stature , like a queen, wearing a crown upon her head. She remained visible for an hour and a half. The crowd pushed me back and forth, yet each time I returned to my place and she was still there, radiant and unmoving until 5 a.m.
I wanted to be absolutely certain. And before that magnificent vision, its beauty, its majesty, its light, I can only say one thing with absolute conviction:
She is truly the Virgin Mary… and I was born anew.”
The Times the Virgin Has Appeared
Q: How do you interpret this apparition coinciding with the imminent arrival of the relics of Saint Mark from Rome, to be interred in the new St. Mark’s Cathedral?
A: “It is a sign of God’s favor. We see these successive events as divine encouragement, calling us to prepare ourselves with faith so that God may multiply His blessings.
The Virgin has appeared in three places before:
- In Lourdes, France, on February 11, 1858
- In Fatima, Portugal, in 1917
- In Jerusalem (Arab sector), at the Coptic School, on June 21, 1954”
Appearing in Light Blue
Q: How did the apparition appear? Were there colors? Did you see any?
A: Anba Athanasius replied, when she appeared above the dome, the vision lasted for about two hours. Her garments moved gently, and when she drew near the cross, it shone with radiant light. At times, doves flew from her presence. The figure was complete, and the halo surrounding her shifted, sometimes encircling her whole body, other times only her head.
As for the color, it was light blue.
That same morning, a special liturgy was celebrated at the Church of the Virgin in Zeitoun, presided over by Anba Gregorios, Bishop of Higher Theological Studies and Scientific Research.
