This was a very interesting day learning of the history of Christianity and Judaism in Egypt. For some background, today, Egypt’s religious breakdown is 85% Sunni Muslim and 15% Orthodox Christians. There is a very small population practicing Judaism, estimated to be about 80 persons. However, this has not always been the case.

Ancient Egyptian religion was a complex system of polytheistic beliefs and rituals that formed an integral part of ancient Egyptian culture. It centered on the Egyptians’ interactions with many deities believed to be present and in control of the world. About 1,500 deities are known

The religion declined following the Roman conquest of Egypt in 30 BC and Egyptians began converting to Christianity. In addition, practices such as mummification halted. The Ancient Egyptian religion was considered to have fully died in the 530s. Following the Arab conquest of Egypt under Amr ibn al-As, Egyptians started to convert to Islam.

But back to Christianity, today we visited the Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church also known as the “Hanging Church”, which was built on top of a large cave system that is believed to be where Joseph, Mary and Jesus hid while escaping persecution from King Herod. This “flight into Egypt” is well chronicled in the book of Matthew and in Christian paintings and iconology.

We also visited the Ben Ezra Synagogue, with the original building believed to have been built in 83BC but the most recent building built in the 1880s.

After lunch we headed to the airport for our flight to Luxor. The Cairo airport, serving 22 million people, takes a very “hands-on” approach to security. Every single person flying from this airport receives not one, but two, pat-down hand search of their bodies. This takes a bit of time, and of course we are a group of 44, so that really takes time. Despite, we made our flight and had no problems.

Once in Luxor, we boarded the AmaDahlia, met the captain and crew, and enjoyed a wonderful sunset over the Nile River.

Tomorrow: Valley of the Kings, King Tutankhamun Tomb, Temple of Hatshepsut, Seti 1 Tomb, Colossi of Memnon