His Holiness Pope Tawadros II Visits the Archaeological Site of "Abu Mena" in Alexandria
Today (Tuesday), His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark visited the archaeological site of "Abu Mena" in Alexandria. The site includes the Monastery of the Martyr Saint Mina the Wonderworker in Mariout. He was accompanied by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Mr. Sherif Fathy, Alexandria Governor Lieutenant General Ahmed Khaled Hassan, Ms. Nuria Sanz, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo, Dr. Mohamed Ismail, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and Dr. Gamal Mostafa, Head of the Islamic and Coptic Antiquities Sector.
His Holiness arrived at the Monastery of Saint Mina this morning and was received by H.G. Bishop Kyrillos Ava Mina, Bishop and Abbot of the monastery, and the monk Hegumen Tadaeus Ava Mina, the coordinator between the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Monastery of Saint Mina. The delegation then headed to the archaeological area, where the Pope, minister, governor, and UNESCO representative listened to a presentation on the ancient city of Abu Mena, which dates back to the late 3rd century and remained inhabited until the 9th century.
This visit comes as part of the Egyptian state's interest under President Sisi in restoring and developing Egyptian antiquities, including Coptic antiquities, with a focus on areas such as Fustat in Cairo, Abu Fana in Minya, and Abu Mena in Alexandria.
In the Abu Mena area, recent efforts by the state and the monastery have focused on lowering the groundwater level to protect the site from potential destruction. These efforts led to UNESCO's support for the restoration plans. The site was designated a World Heritage Site in 1979 and is being prepared to become a major global Christian pilgrimage destination. UNESCO also classified it as a world heritage site in 2001.
The Abu Mena site contains the ancient church altar, the tomb of Saint Mina, the baptismal font, and remains of the old city.
Restoration is scheduled to begin a year from now after completing the groundwater reduction project. This effort involves the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Monastery of Saint Mina, and the Ministry of Agriculture, which has shifted the region's irrigation system from flood irrigation to drip irrigation. The area has also been cleared of obstructive weeds, and drainage systems have been installed in all directions to prevent water accumulation.
His Holiness praised the state's efforts across its sectors in preserving this important Egyptian historic site. He emphasized that this site is a holy spot on Egyptian soil that all Egyptians take pride in. It has witnessed thousands of miracles and was known in the 6th century as the "Marble Area" due to its marble-covered structures. It is a globally and nationally significant tourist destination that attracts visitors from all over the world, including Egyptians—Muslims and Christians—who come to receive blessings from Saint Mina. It stands as a bright chapter in Egypt's history, delivering a spiritual, national, and cultural message…
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