Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral
Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral
Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral
4.5
About
The former seat of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarch prior to being moved to Cairo in 1968. This Cathedral is an excellent example of Coptic architecture and is a wonder to behold. A couple of notes upon entry:1.Your bag will be searched and you will walk through a metal detector; 2.Please dress modestly out of respect for the sanctity of the building; 3.A small donation is appreciated
Duration: < 1 hour
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- El Shohada • 5 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
35 reviews
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9
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1
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2
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia14,409 contributions
Sep 2019
St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral is named after St Mark the evangelist, founder of the Coptic Church. It is the seat of the Coptic Pope. The catdhedral is of relatrively recent construction, even though the Coptic Church is one of the oldest denominations in the world. Joseph and Mary took the baby Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod's slaughter of the innocents.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands3,985 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
The origin of the Coptic orthodox Christians in Egypt goes back to the 1st century AD. Mark, though not a disciple of Jesus, was one of the four evangelists who wrote an account of Jezus' life and became an active missionary. Coptics believe Mark arrived in Alexandria in the year 42 and stayed for a period of 7 years.
The cathedral is dedicated to Mark. It was built quite recently during the early 1950s and enlarged end 1980s, as earlier structures were destroyed due to batlle and conflict. The Coptic Christian community is targeted by Islamic extremists. For this reason security provided by Egyptian police is tight.
The cathedral is dedicated to Mark. It was built quite recently during the early 1950s and enlarged end 1980s, as earlier structures were destroyed due to batlle and conflict. The Coptic Christian community is targeted by Islamic extremists. For this reason security provided by Egyptian police is tight.
Written April 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda Y
Frisco, TX5,665 contributions
Feb 2020
Due to the suicide bombing of 2017, security around the Christian neighborhood of St. Mark’s is tight. To enter the area, the police held our passports, which were returned to us when we left. The church is named after Saint Mark the Evangelist, author of the second Gospel. St. Mark moved to Alexandria later in his ministry and founded the first Church of Alexandria around 50 AD. The lovely church you see today, built in 1952, stands on the same site. St Mark was martyred in 68 AD and a miraculous storm prevented the pagans from burning his body. The Christians were then able to carry him away and bury him in a cave under the church. It is said that the saint’s body was stolen in 828 AD and taken to Venice, but other relics remain in the church. Our guide asked a church caregiver to unlock the entrance to the crypt for us. We passed through a vestibule decorated with mosaics describing St. Mark’s life. Steps then descended to a hallway where we could peer through a window to a shrine and relics of the saint. I had not expected this, what a surprise! A spiritual visit for those of the faith.
Written May 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jake23
New Jersey6,523 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
St. Marks was a great stop. It was the first church in all of Africa. When we arrived a priest was giving mass for a summer camp. It was filled with children learning their faith. If you want to enter bring your passports they’ll be held by security a block of two away.
Written July 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashraf S
69 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
This church is built in the place of the very first church in the African Continent. St. Marc the Evangelist and Apostle was martyred while leading the Holy Mass service Easter Sunday Mass on May 8, 68 and his body was buried there until Venetian sailors stole the body by bribing the guards and hiding the body under Pork meat (As shown in the paintings outside Basilica St Mack in Venice).
On the 1900th Anniversary of his martyrdom, the body of St.Marc was returned to Egypt by Pope Cyril VI
On the 1900th Anniversary of his martyrdom, the body of St.Marc was returned to Egypt by Pope Cyril VI
Written June 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Voyager_Nineteen71
Pune, India585 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
We visited this church around noon. There is a little bit of security around the entrance to the compound.
It is quite a pretty church and very calm. There is a display of the full life of St Mark including how he was tortured to death which was poignant. His body was buried below but it was stolen and relics of it are there at the St Mark's cathedral in Venice. Apparently, the relic of the Saint above the neck are still buried in this church. We wanted to go below and see the crypt but there was a service going on (it was a Friday) and we weren't allowed to go below.
It is quite a pretty church and very calm. There is a display of the full life of St Mark including how he was tortured to death which was poignant. His body was buried below but it was stolen and relics of it are there at the St Mark's cathedral in Venice. Apparently, the relic of the Saint above the neck are still buried in this church. We wanted to go below and see the crypt but there was a service going on (it was a Friday) and we weren't allowed to go below.
Written January 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
couki
Dubai91 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
In Arabic we call it AL MORKOSEYA Please google the name as there is so much history about this church that has been built on the old church and I do not want to miss something while writing this review.
Written April 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia14,409 contributions
Feb 2017 • Family
The Copts are Egyptian Christians. According to the Bible, Jesus fled to Egypt with Mary and Joseph to escape Herod's slaughter of the innocents, so Christianity in Egypt goes back a long way. Although they suffer from intermittent persecution, the Copts refuse to give up their faith. This magnificent church is well worth a visit, it gives an insight into theis ancient Church.
Written December 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gloria Katherin... S
United Arab Emirates6 contributions
Jan 2023
The staff was kind enough to let me in late at night and saw the church's beauty. For sure I'd love to be there again
Written February 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel4Fun
Norfolk, NE107 contributions
Oct 2021
Saint Mark's is located in a very interesting section of Alexandria. It is interesting and I enjoyed the history of the place. I would include this on the Must See list.
Written November 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingSaint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral:
- Alexandria Full Day Tour (From $62.00)
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- Mirette Tour in Alexandria from Alexandria hotels and Alexandria Port (From $70.00)
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