A comprehensive guide to the traditions associated with the Holy Family in Egypt

The publication of the King James version of the Bible, translated between 1603 and 1611, coincided with an extraordinary flowering of English literature and is universally acknowledged as the greatest influence on English-language literature in history. Now, world-class literary writers introduce the book of the King James Bible in a series of beautifully designed, small-format volumes. The introducers' passionate, provocative, and personal engagements with the spirituality and the language of the text make the Bible come alive as a stunning work of literature and remind us of its overwhelming contemporary relevance.

"Travel with James Cowan on a unique journey through an Egypt at once modern and ancient, populated by hermits, monks and spiritual friends. In luminous prose, he introduces us to the travels and travails of the Holy Family as we have never seen them before. Dreamlike and illuminated, this is a travel guide through an Egypt of the soul, bringing the reader into the life of the spirit as experienced in the gritty reality of this contemporary yet archaic land. You need to read this book." -Arthur Versluis, author of Wisdom's Children, The Mystical State and other books "James Cowan's new book turns the legend of the Holy Family going to Egypt into a flight of visionary imagination formed from history and hagiography, myth and memory, tradition and travelogue that is easy to enjoy. The chapters form a colorful and wonderful tableau." -Matthew Del Nevo author of The Valley Way of Soul and The Work of Enchantment More than a travel book, Fleeing Herod takes the reader to a place beyond conjecture or credulity. Questions are asked about the nature of the Holy Family's escape into Egypt, and what it means as an aid to the spiritual life for people today. Can we indeed 'flee Herod' and embark upon our own voyage of discovery? When the Holy Family fled to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod Antipas, they journeyed for three years throughout Egypt, mainly along the Nile, to keep Herod's agents at bay. Using an ancient 4th century text written by Patriarch Theophilus of Alexandria as his guide, Cowan takes the reader on a fascinating journey through modern-day Egypt in the footsteps of the Holy Family, about the Delta region and up the Nile to a place called Mount Qussqam, where Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus resided for six months. The itinerary, according to Coptic tradition, was revealed to Theophilus in a dream. Documenting his journey, Cowan finds himself in the midst of a spiritual revolution going on in Egypt itself. He meets with monks and health workers, desert mystics and visionaries, all of whom have a stake in the story of the Holy Family's journey, as they know it. Through their eyes the reader is drawn into a dramatic story of escape and miraculous interventions.

Drawing on the narratives of the apocrypha and the traditions of the Coptic Orthodox church, the author follows the Holy Family's odyssey through Egypt after their flight from Herod, discussing what happened to Jesus and his parents in Egypt and the possible influence of their sojourn in Egypt on Jesus's life and teachings. Reprint. 10,000 first printing.

With over 300 full-color photographs, this is the first fully illustrated book devoted to Christian houses of worship in Egypt. The text incorporates the latest research to complement the broad geographic scope covering nearly all significant Coptic sites throughout the country, from the ancient Coptic churches in Old Cairo to the churches in the monasteries of Wadi al-Natrun, the Red Sea, and Upper Egypt. Churches associated with the Holy Family's sojourn in Egypt, including Gabal al-Tayr and Dayr al-Muharraq, enrich the volume. Churches of all other Christian denominations in Egypt are also described and beautifully illustrated here. A number of Greek Orthodox churches, Evangelical Coptic, Catholic, Armenian, and Anglican churches are included. Introductory chapters on the history of Christianity in Egypt, the architecture of the Coptic Church, and Coptic wall paintings help readers to appreciate fully the great cultural, artistic, and architectural heritage of Egypt's Christians.

This book, first published in 1963, is the classica ccount of the traditions surrounding the flight of the Holy Family into and through Egypt. It has been compiles from both Eastern and Western sources, including bothe Muslim and Christian traditions, written and oral. The author has included an attempted reconstruction of the route taken by the Holy Family and retells the stories of their encounters along the way.