We went to Coptic Cairo a few weekends ago. It's one of the best-kept secrets in Cairo, I think. It's just four short metro stops from our house. We got off the train and stepped into a different city, it seemed. It was so clean and fresh looking.

About 6-10% of Egypt's population is Christian, and about 95% of those are Coptic Christians. The Coptic church was supposedly started by St. Mark, and the Copts are supposed to be the direct descendents of the "real" Egyptians. Coptic, the language spoken in their church is supposed to be very close to what was spoken in Egypt long ago. Click here for more info about Copts.



There were even green areas where people were sitting, reading books or having a snack.

This is the Coptic Pope, Shenouda III. Betcha didn't know about him, did you? He actually was in Euless, Texas just a few weeks ago to bless a new Coptic Church there.

We hoped to visit several churches, including The Church of St. Surgius, where the Holy Family reputedly stayed in a cavern. We visited a few churches (but not St. Surgius) and a cemetery before Luke started acting all TWO on us and we went home. ;)