Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church—best known as Abu Serga—is one of the oldest and most venerated Coptic churches in Egypt, dating to the 7th century and built atop the Roman fortress of Babylon in Old Cairo. According to tradition, it marks one of the resting places of the Holy Family during their flight into Egypt, making it a major pilgrimage site for Christians. The church’s most sacred space is the crypt beneath the sanctuary, an early example of Coptic underground architecture, believed to be the very chamber where Mary, Joseph and the Christ Child found refuge. Rebuilt and restored many times after fires and invasions, Abu Serga has remained a central symbol of Christian continuity in Cairo for more than 1,300 years.
Architecturally, the church is a classic Coptic basilica with a central nave, two aisles divided by rows of marble columns, and a triple sanctuary dedicated to Saints Sergius and Bacchus, Saint George, and the Virgin Mary. The wooden ceiling—shaped like the hull of a ship—evokes salvation, while the iconostasis features intricate ivory-inlaid woodwork typical of Coptic craftsmanship. The church houses numerous ancient icons and decorative elements that reflect both Egyptian and Byzantine influences. From the 7th to the 11th centuries, Abu Serga served as the traditional site for electing Coptic patriarchs, underscoring its historic role at the heart of Egypt’s Christian community.
- Address
Mari Gerges, Kom Ghorab, Old Cairo, Cairo Governorate 4244001, Egypt - Web
https://egymonuments.gov.eg/en/monuments/church-of-saint-sergius-and-bacchus - Visiting Hours
Every day from 9:00 to 16:00 - What to see
Cave of the Holy Family
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