WATANI International
8 August 2010
Magdu Mariam …Zuhourat al-Adra fi Misr wal-Alam (Mary’s Glory … The Virgin’s Apparitions in Egypt and in the World); compiled by Robeir al-Faris and Michael Victor; Watani Printing and Publishing Corporation; Cairo; 2010
An updated second edition of Watani Printing and Publishing Corporation’s Magdu Mariam …Zuhourat al-Adra fi Misr wal-Alam (Mary’s Glory … The Virgin’s Apparitions in Egypt and in the World) recently came on the market. Watani’s most recent book was compiled from the vast archive of Watani by Robeir al-Faris and Michael Victor.
In his introduction to the book, Victor Salama, Watani’s managing editor, highlights the major apparitions of the Holy Virgin in Egypt and quotes Pope Shenouda III as saying: “The apparition of the Holy Virgin in Egypt is a miraculous event that moved the world.” But the Pope also stresses: “Observing the Holy Virgin is a matter of faith …simple faith.”
“Our book stretches out from hearts that adore the Holy Virgin, rejoice in her glow, and constantly call for her interception”, wrote Samia Sidhom, editor of Watani Books, in her introduction for the second edition.
Our Lady of the world
“A message from heaven” is the title of the first chapter of the book, a letter addressed to the universal mother St Mary, acknowledging how her apparitions sustain us and represent to us a message from heaven. The book tells the stories of different apparitions of the Holy Virgin around the world, which occurred in the major part during the 20th century. In the West, our Lady appeared to individuals, frequently carrying a forewarning message to the world. The book offers readers a glimpse of the most famous apparitions around the world, in Lourdes, Fatima and San Sebastian de Garabandal.
…and of Egypt
The Zeitoun apparitions, which started in April 1968, occupy one chapter. The story is told first-hand by the persons who first observed the apparition of the Holy Virgin at Zeitoun. The book provides a statement given by Pope Kyrillos VI to Watani at the time, as well as statements and testimonies by the then Egyptian President Gamal Abdel-Nasser and former heads of the Catholic and Evangelical Churches in Egypt. Other chapters of the book look at the apparitions of the Holy Virgin in the church of St Dimiana in Papaduplo in Shubra—a Cairo district inhabited mainly by Copts—in 1986 and in Assiut, Upper Egypt, in 2000. In both incidents, the Pope delegated committees to the sites of the apparitions before his Holiness issued Papal declarations confirming the sightings. In his famous sermon after the apparitions in Assiut, Anba Mikhael, Bishop of Assiut, said: “The heavenly apparitions remind of the visit of the Holy Family to this site, and the Virgin’s blessings to the region.”
Everywhere, the apparitions were always accompanied by spiritual manifestations and miracles, especially the healing of the sick.
Glowing light
The book then takes the reader to December 2009 and the apparitions in Warraq al-Hadar, Giza. According to the statement issued by Giza Bishopric, the Holy Virgin appeared in her full height in luminous robes above the middle dome of the church. She wore a dress of pure white and a royal blue sash. She had a crown on her head, above which appeared the cross on top of the dome. The Holy Virgin moved between the domes and on to the top of the church gate between its twin towers. All the local residents saw her. The book tells the story of Sayed Mohamed, a café owner who was the first to witness the apparition, as well as similar stories told by passers-by who were enthralled with the sighting.
The Egyptian public reacted to the Warraq apparitions in various ways. Some were greatly taken by the sighting, while others had their doubts. Some people thought the apparitions were a message from Heaven to sustain believers in their hardships, but others believed it was no apparition in the first place. But one fact remains. According to an article written Fouad Youssef, no one can definitely judge whether an apparition took place or not, since it is only through faith that such spiritual incidents can be fathomed.
Between doubt and certainty
“The apparitions of the Holy Virgin…between doubt and certainty,” occupies part of the debate. Pope Shenouda says some people “see first, then believe” while some have faith that allows them to “see”. He explains that the doves—several white, luminous ones were seen flying through the night sky during or around the time of the apparitions—are frequently used to symbolise the Holy Virgin. The book includes an interview with Anba Theodosius, Bishop of Giza, on the reality of the Warraq apparition.
In a separate chapter in the book, the apparition is tackled from a scientific point of view, proving the impossibility of using laser and hologram beams to fake it, as was claimed by some who doubted the reality of the sighting.
A statement issued by the Giza Coptic Orthodox Church in December 2009 on the apparitions of Warraq by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and Anba Dumadius, Archbishop of Giza, is printed in the book, as is a confirmation statement issued by the Holy Synod in May 2010.
Healing the sick
A whole chapter of the book is dedicated to the miracles of the Holy Virgin during her apparitions in Zeitoun, Papadupolo, Assiut and Warraq. Testimonies are included given by people who suffered from chronic diseases such as diabetes, rheumatic or heart diseases, or others with cancer or severe dermatological, sight, or hearing problems, or even psychological problems, all testifying that they were cured as soon as they witnessed the Virgin’s glowing light. Stories of couples unable to conceive but were able to have babies after they saw the Holy Virgin, or children born with disabilities but were cured, give rise to a sense of wonder and awe.
A final chapter reproduces pictures of the apparitions and images of cuttings from the Egyptian press reporting the events.
The book, which is dedicated to the Holy Virgin, is a must-read for all who love her, rejoice in her glory and bask in her blessings.