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Escape to Egypt, Thoughts

Innocence Lost: Lessons from Bethlehem to Gaza

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The tragic Parallel: Death of Children in Gaza and the Massacre of Children in Bethlehem (The Holy Innocents)

On these days of Christmas, we celebrate the joyous event of the birth of Christ, the prince of peace. But Christmas also reminds us of the tragic event of the Massacre of Children in Bethlehem also known as Holy Innocents. December 27 we commemorate the feast of Holy Innocents.

The nativity story found in the gospel according to Matthew tells us that once the wise men notified Herod that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he instructed them to find the baby and then come back to him to tell him where he was so that he may “worship” the new king. Later when wisemen were instructed by the Angel to not go back to Herod the King, Herod was infuriated and ordered the death of several children.

The recent loss of innocent children in Gaza has once again brought to the forefront the tragic echoes of the past. In present days also we see leaders directly and indirectly lending a hand in the massacre of children.

In contemplating the parallels between the tragedies in Bethlehem and Gaza, we are confronted with perplexing questions. How can the innocence of children become entangled in the web of human conflict and power struggles?

Herod’s killing of children did not help him in killing the prince of peace, Jesus. Neither will the present-day massacre of children. This Christmas we all are called to stand against such atrocities and not to stand with ‘the Herods of our time’.

Let us remember these Holy Innocents along with all the children who are suffering, in prayers.

Fr. Rijo Geevarghese

Coptic, Escape to Egypt, Pearls of Desert

Oldest Church altar which was consecrated by Christ himself

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What if I say that this is the
Yes , as the prophecy which was fulfilled here from
 
Isaiah 19:19
“In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the Lord at its border. It will be a sign and a witness to the Lord of Host in the land of Egypt”
Deir al-Muharraq (Burnt Monastery), an hour’s drive northwest of Assyut About 50 minutes’ drive from Assyut towards Minya, is a place of pilgrimage, refuge and vows, where the strength of Coptic traditions can be experienced.
This is the place that according to tradition, the Holy Family stayed six months and five days, and where Jesus, after the Resurrection, came back to consecrate the altar referred to in Isaiah 19:19 as “an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt.”
 
The holiest place in the monastery is the Church of the Holy Virgin which is believed to be founded in the first century A.D., and thus is the first church in the world. “Dair El-Muharraq,” is dedicated to the Holy Virgin Mary, and the altar stone shown here was the bed, upon which the Infant Savior lay .
 
The Holy Family had crossed over to Upper Egypt and had hidden there for almost six months. Al-Muharraq Monastery is located, literally, in the midst of the land of Egypt standing at its exact geographical center also
 
I made my personal visitation on 8th of November 2015 .