Cairo Coptic Christian Church’s restoration completed after 16 years

Egypt’s PM Ibrahim Mahlab and Pope Tawadros II attended the opening ceremony at the Coptic Christian Church in Cairo

The restoration of Coptic Christian Church Virgin Mary in Cairo has been completed after 16 years.

Also known as the Hanging Church because it is seated above a 2nd Century Roman fortress, it was home to the Coptic pope until the 13th Century.

PM Ibrahim Mahlab and Coptic Pope Tawadros II attended the opening ceremony at the church.

Christians make up about 10% of Egypt’s mainly Muslim population.

Egypt’s PM Ibrahim Mahlab and Pope Tawadros II attended the opening ceremony at the Coptic Christian Church in Cairo

Many Christians were sympathetic to the overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi last year and dozens of churches were damaged in the ensuing violence.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has called for Christians and Muslims to be united and is said to have a good relationship with Pope Tawadros.

Ibrahim Mahlab said the restoration, which cost more than $5 million, was delayed by engineering challenges posed by subterranean water courses.

He was taken on a tour of the church to learn more about the renovation process.

The church is in a compound close to Cairo’s first mosque and one of the oldest synagogues.

James J. Williams

James is a professor in Science. His writing skills brought him to BelleNews. He enjoys writing articles for the Science and Technology category. James often finds himself reading about the latest gadgets as the topic is very appealing to him. He likes reading and listening to classical music.