Since the evening of Tuesday 2 April 1968 (24 Baramhat 1684 AM), the apparitions of the Holy Virgin Saint Mary, Mother of Light, have continued in the Coptic Orthodox Church named after her in Zeitoun, Cairo.
The apparitions occurred on many different nights and are continuing in different forms. The Holy Virgin Saint Mary appeared sometimes in full form and sometimes as a bust surrounded with a halo of shining light. She was seen at times on the openings of the domes on the roof of the church, and at other times outside the domes, moving and walking on the roof of the church and over the domes. When she knelt in reverence in front of the cross, the cross shone with bright light. Waving Her blessed hands and nodding Her holy head, she blessed the people who gathered to observe the miracle. She appeared sometimes in the form of a body like a very bright cloud, and sometimes as a figure of light preceded with heavenly bodies shaped like doves moving at high speed. The apparitions continued for long periods, up to 2 hours and 15 minutes as on the dawn of Tuesday 30 April 1968 (22 Barmouda 1684AM) when she appeared continuously from 2:4am till 5:00am.
Thousands of people from different denominations and religions, Egyptians and foreign visitors, clergy and scientists, from different classes and professions, have observed the apparitions. The description of each apparition as of the time, location and configuration was identically witnessed by all people, which makes this apparition unique and sublime.
Two important aspects accompanied these apparitions: The first is an incredible revival of the faith in God, the other world and the saints, leading to repentance and conversion of many who strayed away from the faith. The second are the numerous miracles of healing which were verified by many physicians to be miraculous in nature.
The Papal Residence has thoroughly investigated the apparitions and gathered information by way of committees of clergy who have also witnessed the apparitions by themselves and recorded everything in reports presented to His Holiness Pope Kyrillos VI.
In issuing this statement the Papal Residence declares, with full faith and great joy and humility of a thankful heart, that the Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of Light, appeared in clear forms on many different nights, for periods of variable length, lasting on occasions more than two full hours, starting on the eve of Tuesday 2 April 1968 (24 Baramhat, 1684AM) in Zeitoun, Cairo. It is historically proven that the location of this church in Tumanbay street, in Zeitoun quarter, on the way to El-Matariya, Cairo, is on the path taken by the Holy Family when visiting Egypt.
May God make this miracle a symbol of peace for the world, and a blessing for our nation as it has been prophesied: “Blessed be Egypt My people.”
Saturday 4 May 1968
26 Barmouda 1684AM
