Anecdotes about the Virgin Mary

"The shared light of Warraq"

Cairo, Egypt (2009)

In the Cairota district of Al-Warraq, on the western bank of the Nile, an Orthodox Coptic church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the Archangel Michael is raised. On the night of December 10-11, 2009, about 1: 30 a.m., a green-blue light emerged among its domes, which many identified with the Virgin.

The witnesses spoke of a luminous figure on the domes, of white pigeons flying over the temple and of unusual games of light. The news ran immediately: thousands of people began to gather each night before the church, hoping to see the glow again. The EFE agency's graphic report showed the cut streets, crowds looking at the temple, people praying and singing, and images of a bright white figure recorded with video cameras.

It is well attested, by press and video images, that in December 2009 there was a luminous phenomenon at the dome of the Coptic Church of Warraq, played by many as a Marian apparition, and that large mixed crowds gathered for several nights. The total duration of the phenomenon is not accurate, and for Warraq there is also no formal decree as cited as Zeitoun's. Some have indicated optical explanations, but these assumptions do not develop in detail in the sources.

The most moving feature, which is reflected in the testimonies, is the conciliator: in a context of interreligious tension, several witnesses said that that apparition gave them peace, and that they saw a sign of unity in seeing Muslims and Christians gathered before the church, with candles on and photographs of the Virgin. As in Assiut, the context is coptic: the reports speak of prayer, songs and psalms, but do not expressly mention the prayer of the Rosary or contain any Marian message about this prayer.