Coptic Church in Sharm El Sheikh: photos inside and outside

General information

The Coptic Church is one of the few Christian churches in Egypt, located in Sharm El-Sheikh. It rises in the ancient district of Hay el Nour, near the Old Market. This unusual building, primarily from an architectural point of view, appeared on the city map relatively recently, but has been very popular among tourists for several years now.

The church in Sharm el-Sheikh will be of interest to foreign guests for many reasons. Firstly, this is a unique opportunity to visit a place where the canons of the Russian Orthodox and Catholic churches are intertwined with local traditions and culture. Secondly, the building will be interesting from an architectural point of view. Thirdly, Copts treat tourists very well, and will definitely give you more time and attention than tour guides in mosques.

Dioceses of Beheira, Damietta, Dakalia, Gharbia, Monufia, Qalubiya and Sharqiya

Arkhangelsk Coptic Orthodox Church (Damanhur, Beheira)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Damanhour, Beheira)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Damietta)
Arkhangelsk Coptic Orthodox Church (Mansoura, Dakalia)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saints Anthony and Paul the Hermit (Mansoura, Dakalia)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Damian (Mansura, Dakalia)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Mansoura, Dakalia)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Mansoura, Dakalia)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Dakad - Mit Ghamr, Dhakalia)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Sinbillawain, Dakalia)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Rebecca (Sanbat, Dakalia)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Archangel Michael (Damira - Talha, Dakalia)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the New Martyr George the Victorious (Tabanukha - Talha, Dakalia)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Damian (Al-Mahalla Al-Kubra, Gharbiya Governorate)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Al-Mahalla Al-Kubra, Gharbiya Governorate)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (El-Mahalla El-Kubra, Gharbiya Governorate)
Saint Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church (El-Mahalla El-Kubra, Gharbiya Governorate)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mines (Al-Mahalla Al-Kubra, Gharbiya Governorate)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Archangel Michael (El-Mahalla El-Kubra, Gharbiya Governorate)
Cyril Coptic Orthodox Church (El-Mahalla El-Kubra, Gharbiya Governorate)
St. Abanub Coptic Orthodox Church (Samanud, Gharbiya Governorate)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Archangel Michael (Tanta, Gharbia Governorate)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Tanta, Gharbiya Governorate)
St. George Coptic Orthodox Church (Burma-Tanta, Gharbiya Governorate)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Ebyar-Tanta, Gharbiya Governorate)
St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church (Tanta, Gharbiya Governorate)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mercury (Zefta, Gharbiya Governorate)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Archangel Michael (Monufia)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Menouf, Monufia)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Shibin Al Qawm, Monufia)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Shibin Al Qawm, Monufia)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Sarabamun (Shibin Al Qawm, Monufia)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Tuh Dalaka, Monufia St.)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Musturud, Qalubiya)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Philotheus (Sankhira, Qalubiya)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Archangel Michael (Kafr Yusuf Samri, Sharqiya Governorate)
St. George Coptic Orthodox Church (Minya al-Qamh, Sharqiya Governorate)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Shentana al-Hagar, Sharqiya Governorate)
Arkhangelsk Coptic Orthodox Church (Zagazig, Sharqiya Governorate)
Armenian Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross (Zagazig, Sharqiya Governorate)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Bishoy and St. Peter (Zagazig, Sharqiya Governorate)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George and St. Takla Haymanot (Zagazig, Sharqiya Governorate)

Features of the church

At the moment, the church's parishioners are about 18-22 million people a year, which is no less than in world-famous cathedrals. If we talk about the religion itself, its followers are approximately 8% of the Egyptian population, which is about 10 million believers. Copts consider themselves the heirs of the ancient Egyptians, which is why conflicts regularly occur with the Arab population, whom they do not consider the indigenous population of Egypt.

It is important to note that the Coptic Church in Sharm El Sheikh is not a classic Orthodox church. There are a number of significant differences between these two Christian movements, which lie both in the external appearance of the building and in the features of worship.

As for the Copts themselves, they:

They don't wear crosses. Instead, all believers get a tattoo of a cross on their arm.
The liturgy is held in the form of a dialogue between the priest and ordinary people - everyone can participate in it.
Services are held in Arabic and Coptic (this is already a dead language).

In the Orthodox Church of Sharm el-Sheikh:

There are benches installed on which you can sit during the service, just like in a Catholic church.
It’s easier to come up and touch the shrines - anyone can do this. At the same time, you will not be closely watched.
Candles are allowed only at the entrance to the Orthodox Cathedral.
Before entering the room where the relics of saints are located, you must take off your shoes.
The cross in the central part of the church consists of two planes, thanks to which it can be seen from anywhere in the room.

Thus, the Coptic Church is a mixture of Orthodox and Catholic churches with an oriental flavor.

You might be interested: Dahab is a Mecca for divers in Egypt.

Interior decoration

The interior decoration of the Coptic church in Egypt is very bright and varied: here you can find stained glass windows typical of Catholic churches, massive frescoes more typical of Orthodox cathedrals, and patterns on the walls characteristic only of Eastern countries.

The central part is a large altar, on which you can see icons in massive gold frames and frescoes in the upper part. Almost the entire space of the church is occupied by wooden benches on which you can sit during worship. Almost all the walls that do not have icons are painted with ornate Arabic patterns and decorated with massive burgundy curtains.

If you look up, you can see a large snow-white dome, which took several months to paint. By the way, the entire temple was painted by 2 artists, and this lasted less than two years.

An interesting feature of the Coptic Orthodox Church is that just by looking at its walls, you can learn everything about the main events described in the Bible - if you look at the frescoes on the walls, turning clockwise, in 5-10 minutes you can study the main book of Christians. And if you listen carefully to the guide, you will definitely take away from the Orthodox church not only a lot of positive impressions from what you saw, but also new knowledge.

If you go deeper into the room and go down the steps, you can get into the lower temple, which exactly repeats the decoration of the upper one. With the only caveat - the relics of saints are located here. It is interesting that everyone can venerate the shrines, and the volunteers who help keep order on the church grounds will not only not disturb you, but will even leave the room so that you can be alone with your thoughts.

On a note! Near Sharm is the Ras Mohammed National Park of Egypt. Read what’s interesting about it and why it’s worth visiting here.

Useful tips

Unlike Egyptian mosques, which look at foreigners solely as bags of money, the church ministers in Sharm el-Sheikh are extremely supportive of tourists, and always try to do as much as possible for the guests. If you're lucky, they might even give you a gift - a small bag with the relics of saints.

At the entrance to the church there is a small stall where tourists recommend purchasing a Coptic icon.
Interestingly, only Egyptians can work as tour guides in the Sharm el-Sheikh church, so in order to listen to the guide, you must understand either Arabic or English.
Photography is allowed in the church, and women are not required to wear a headscarf or long skirt when entering.
Entrance to the Sharm el-Sheikh church is free. In addition, you can join one of the groups and go with a guide to the lower temple (you won’t be able to get there on your own).
Near the entrance to the Orthodox church in Sharm el-Sheikh there is a special area where believers can socialize after the service.
The church is very well guarded - there are checkpoints along the entire perimeter and police are on duty around the clock.

The Coptic Church is a landmark in the center of the Old City, which is worth a visit in order to better understand how diverse and unusual Egypt is.

Everything you need to know about visiting a Coptic Church:

Author: Maria Protasenya

Diocese of Coptic Cairo

Hanging Church (Coptic Cairo)
Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary / Babylon El Daragh (Coptic Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mines (Coptic Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Barbarians (Coptic Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mercury (Coptic Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Coptic Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church and Convent of St. George (Coptic Cairo)
Greek Orthodox Church of St. George (Coptic Cairo)

Diocese of Qena

Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mena (Hivon)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Qena)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral (Nag Hammadi)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mercury (Kamula)
Coptic Orthodox Basilica (Dendera) (destroyed)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Kamula, Naqada)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. John (Kamula, Naqada)
Saint Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Kamula, Naqada)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Shenoute (Kamula, Naqada)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Theodore (Kamula, Naqada)
Saint Victor Coptic Orthodox Church - (Kamula, Naqada)

Dioceses of Cairo and Giza

Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St. Mark (Abbassia)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saints Peter and Paul (Abbassia)
Saint Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Abbassia)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary, St. Bishoy and St. Reue (Abbassia)
Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St. Mark (Azbakeya)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Stephen (Azbakeya)
El Markoseya El Kobra Coptic Orthodox Church (Azbakeya)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Al-Kulali, Azbakeya)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Mary (al-Wazir Ala ad-Din, Azbakeya)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Archangel Gabriel (Harat al-Sakkain, Abdin)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Mary and El Malaka (Ahmad Esmaat)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary and St. Abraham (Ain Shams)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary, St. John and Paul (Ain Shams)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Ain Shams)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary and Archangel Michael (El Abasieri, Ain Shams)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Derias, Ain Shams)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Archangel Michael (al-Khanqa, Ain Shams)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Anthony and St. Paula (al-Khanqa, Ain Shams)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (al-Khanqa, Ain Shams)
Saint Gavargios and Saint Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church (Al Nozha)
Saint Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Al-Nojaa el-Gedida)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Altebien)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Ard El Golf)
St. Paula Coptic Orthodox Church (Ard El Golf)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary and St. Bishoy (Al-Gish Street, Al-Ataba)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Sikkat ad-Dahir, Bab al-Sharia)
Saint Demiana Coptic Orthodox Church (El Aadaweya, Bulak)
El Shahidin Abakir and Youhanna Coptic Orthodox Church (Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary and Archangel Michael (Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Maurice and St. Verena (Cairo)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Faggala)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George and St. Towers (Fom El Khalig)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Mina El Agaibi (Fom El Khalig)
St. Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church (Giza)
St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church (Giza)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Aguza, Giza)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Atfih, Giza)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mohrael (El-Hawamdya, Giza)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Mary (Imbaba, Giza)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mines (Imbaba, Giza)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian (Manyal Shikha, Giza)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary and the Archangel Michael (Warraq al-Hadar, Giza)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church/Haret Elrum (Elgureya, Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary (Haret Zuweila)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary and St. George (Haret Zuweila)
St. Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church (Helwan)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Helwan)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Helwan)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mines (Helwan)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Archangel Michael (Helwan)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Barsouma Nagogo (Masara, Helwan)
St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church (15 May City, Helwan)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Gadajek) Helwan)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Archangel Michael (El Masara, Helwan)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Demian (El Masara, Helwan)
St. George Coptic Orthodox Church (Al-Kherafien)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Mary and Abu Sefein (Al-Kherafien)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary and St. Shenouda (Ard el-Baraka, Al-Kherafien)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary and Abu Sefein - Ezbet El Haganaa, Al Herafien)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (al-Alf Maskin)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mines (al-Alf-Maskin)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Almaza)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Heliopolis)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saints George and Abraham (Heliopolis)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mark (Cleopatra, Heliopolis)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Archangel Michael (Sheraton, Heliopolis)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Holy Men (Ibrahim Luke)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Garden City, Kaser El Nil)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (El Kollali)
Saint Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (El Kosayarin)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Madinet Nasr, Al Amiriyah)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary and St. Athanasius (Madinet Nasr, El Masara)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Saud)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Archangel Raphael (Maadi)
St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church (Maadi)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Maadi)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Tura, Maadi)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Mary and Saint Mina (Madinet el-Salam)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary and St. Shenouda (Madinet el-Salam)
Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St. Mary (Ezbet al-Nakhl)
Saint Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Ezbet al-Nakhl)
Coptic Orthodox Church El-Malak and El-Romani (Al-Matariyya)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Damian (Al-Matariyya)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Madinat al-Nut, Al-Matariyya)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Manshiyat al-Tahrir, Al-Matariyya)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (al-Masakin al-Shabiyya, Al-Matariyya)
Saint Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Al-Matariyya)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Al-Muqad, Al-Matariyya)
Saint Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Midan at-Tahrir, Al-Matariyya)
St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church (Zabbaleen, Mokattam)
St. Paul's Coptic Orthodox Church (Zabbaleen, Mokattam)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Simon the Tanner (Zabbaleen, Mokattam)
St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church (New Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (New Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Gavargius and St. Anthony (New Cairo)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Al-Nur city)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Bahnama (Old Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saints Cyrus and John (Old Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Old Cairo)
Saint Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Kasriet El Rihan, Old Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mercury (Old Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Michael al-Qibli (Old Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Shenouda (Old Cairo)
Eastern Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Theodore (Old Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Damiana (Ard Baba Dublu)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mercury and St. Damiana (Ard Reef)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Holy Virgin Mary and the Angel (Ard Sharif)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Khumarawayh)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Qalubiya)
St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church (Minyat al-Shirik)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Barbarians (El-Sharabeya)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Ard Alshereka, El Sharabeya)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George and Anba Sarabamon (Ezbet El Ward, El Sharabeya)
Saint Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (al-Karki)
St. Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church (Al-Khargi, Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Athanasius (Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Archangel Michael and St. Shenouda (Ayadbek, Shubra)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Ayadbek, Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Abu El Farag, Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Abu Takeya, Hadayek) Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Demian (Baba Doblu, Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary and El Malak (Baba Doblu, Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Abraham (Beth El Mahaba, Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mark]] (Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Mary (Rod El Farag, Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Ghazrat Badran)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Archangel Michael (Gali)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (El-Goshi, Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (El-Goshi, Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (El Hamrawia, Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Khumarawayh, Shubra)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (El Hafezeya, Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (El Sahel, Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Abu Sefain and St. Demians (El Teraa el Bolakya, Shubra)
Saint Mina Coptic Orthodox Church (El Teraa el Bolakya, Shubra)
Saint Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (El Vego, Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Gezerat Padran, Shubra St.)
Saint Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Maahad El Banat, Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary (Makhmasha, Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary (Massarra, Shubra)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Archangel Michael (Tusun, Shubra)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Wadighof)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Wasat El Balaad)
Saint Demiana Coptic Orthodox Church (Al Tawil Street, El Wayeli)
Saint Mina Coptic Orthodox Church (El Ahlaam, El Wayeli)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist (al-Gabal al-Ahmar)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Archangel Michael (Hadaiyik al-Kubba)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Abu Sefain (Hadaik al-Kubba)
Saint Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Hadaiq al-Qubba)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Hamamat al-Kubba)
Saint Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Izbat Mansour)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mercury (Izbat Mansur)
Saint Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Izbat al-Qusayyarin)
St. George Coptic Orthodox Church (Manshit El Sader, Al-Waily)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Archangel Michael (El Zaher)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (El Mansi, El Zaher)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Zamalek)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Ard El Henena, El Zawia El Hamraa)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary (Zeitoun)
Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of the Virgin Mary (Zeitoun)
El Amir Tadros El Shatbi Coptic Orthodox Church (Zeitoun)
Coptic Orthodox Church Marie Youhanna El Habib (Helmeiet, Zeitoun)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Timothy (Helmeiet, Zeitoun)

Diocese of Fayoum

Arkhangelsk Coptic Orthodox Church (Faiyum)
Coptic Orthodox Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Faiyum)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Damian (Fayoum)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Fayoum)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Joseph (Fayyum)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mines (Fayyum)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary, St. Marcorius and St. Abraham (Fayyum)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mercury (Fayyum)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Theodore (Faiyum)

Gallery

Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St. Mark (Ramle, Alexandria)
Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St. Mark (Ramle, Alexandria)
Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St. Mark (Ramle, Alexandria)
Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St. Mark (Alexandria)
Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St. Mark (Abbassia, Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St. Mark (Abbassia, Cairo)
Hanging Coptic Orthodox Church (Coptic Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Barbarians (Coptic Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Convent of St. George (Coptic Cairo)
Greek Orthodox Church of St. George (Coptic Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mark (Heliopolis)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mark (Cleopatra, Heliopolis)
St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church (Cairo)
Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary (Massarra, Shubra)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Luxor)
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church (Luxor)
St. Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church (Luxor)
St. Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church (Luxor)
St. Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church (Luxor)
Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of the Archangel Michael (Aswan)
Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of the Archangel Michael (Aswan)
Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Shenouda (Hurghada)