CAIRO-SINAI-ALEXANDRIA

Cairo Tour Program

1^stDay: Athens- Old Christian Cairo-Museum of Cairo- Pyramids of Giza-Hal El Halili Market.

We gather together at the “El.Venizelos” Athens Airport. The check in and boarding procedure for the flight to Cairo follows.

When we arrive at Cairo Airport, we transfer with our tour bus to the hotel for settlement. At first, we dine and depart to Old Christian Cairo. Then, we move to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Sanctuary of Saint George. The Temple was built on a Roman Fortress. Also it served several times as a refuge but it was also an emblem for the Greek Christians of Cairo.

Consecutively, We visit the catacombs where the chapel of the Holy Saranda(Forty Saint Martyrs) is located. We also pass through the cemetery of the Greek Egyptians to get to the chapel. The chapel is the place where the Lord found shelter during the Flee in Egypt. The tour continues with an optional cruise to Nile. In the end of the day,we return to the hotel for overnight stay.

2^ndDay:Cairo-Faran-Raitho-Saint Aikaterini

At first, We have breakfast and depart for the Holy Monastery of Saint Aikaterini (Catherine).We cross the Suez Canal that connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea.

Our first stop is in the city of Reitho (El Tor).The city was the Phoenix’s old harbor in the Red Sea. Today, it is the capital of southern Sinai. It is notable to mention that a small flock of Greek Orthodox Christians inhabits.This is the place where Moses and the Israelites found the Seventy Shanks of the Phoenicians and the Twelve Sources.

We continue for the sources of Moses. This is the place where the people of Israel camped when they left Egypt. Our next stop takes place in the Holy Monastery of the Prophet Moses in the Oasis of Pharan. The largest Christian center on the Sinai peninsula and the Bishop’s seat since the 4th century AD. Today the ruins of the old episcopal five-aisled basilica are preserved. Next to it, there is a Women’s Retreat but also a small medical office too.

Our tour moves on,by departing to the most ancient Christian foundation, the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine. We cross part of the desert, and we reach the historic Monastery of Saint Catherine. The Convent is built at the foothills of the Mount of Moses. After, We are settling in the hotel of the Holy Monastery. In addition,we attend the Vespers, and we meet the Sinan Fathers. Finally, dinner and overnight stay follow.

3^rd Day: Saint Aikaterini (Catherine)- Saint John of the Scale- Saint Galaktion

We attend the devout Liturgy, in the Catholic of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine. After the end of the Divine Liturgy, we have breakfast and then the Sinai Fathers guide us.

Firstly,We kneel before the relics of St. Aikaterini. Then, we visit the chapel of the “non-burning and Holy Saint Bush(Vatos)”.Next, we move on to the well of Iοthos and the Ossuary. After, we admire the rare monuments of fine art and ecclesiastical relics of invaluable value in the Monastery. Also, we can go (optionally) to the cave of Saint John of the Scale. There, the Saint wrote the famous Scale Psalms.

Afterwards,we go to Mount Saint Galactianos and Science. There is the patrician of Ag. Paisios, where he stayed for 2 years. The lunch follows and in the afternoon we attend the Vespers. After, we have dinner. Moreover, if we want(optionally), we can go up to the Holy Top with our Bedouin partner. Finally,we return to the hotel of the monastery, where we stay overnight.

4^thDay: Saint Catherine – Cairo

We start our guided tour with the morning departure to Cairo. At first, we visit to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities.There, we admire the invaluable ancient Egyptian findings.Our next visit is to the imposing Pyramids of Giza, with that of Cheops to stand out. Then, we also admire the Sphinx, the oldest known statue of a monumental type of pharaonic Egypt.

After we have a break for lunch. Finally,our tour to Cairo ends with our visit to the famous Market of Han el-Halili. Free time is available to visit the traditional shops. Finally, We return to our hotel for overnight stay.

5^thDay:Alexandria

After having breakfast, we depart to Alexandria, the famous city that Alexander the Great founded.As it is known, Alexandria was the largest spiritual center of the world during the antiquity. But, first, we visit the Coptic monasteries of Nitra, of Saint Makarios, and of Saint Paisios the Great.

By entering the bus to the city, we pass through the Greek community. We stop for a visit to St. Savvas (Old Patriarchate) and directly across from it, to the house that Cavafys lived.

We continue to make a tour in the new Greek Orthodox Patriarchate.There we also descend on the Holy Church of the Annunciation.Then we stroll in the gardens of Montaza. There, we admire the palace of Faruk.

In the early afternoon we have a meal at a beachfront restaurant. Then, We continue our visit to the new Library of Alexandria. There, with the help of the tour guide, we prowl indoors and outdoors. Prior to our return, we will visit the place where the Alexandria Lighthouse was located. Today, in the place of the lighthouse there is a castle. Late, in the afternoon we go back to our hotel in Cairo for overnight stay.

6^thDay: Alexandria – Athens

Since we have had our breakfast, we go to Alexandria Airport to return to our base.