10/14/2018
BACKGROUND
The Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Menas (Egyptian Arabic: كنيسة مارمينا kenīset Mar-Mīna ) is a Coptic Orthodox church near Coptic Cairo and is one of the oldest Coptic churches in Egypt, dating back to the Sixth Century A.D. St. Mena's church is on the north end of Coptic Cairo, located in a region known as Fum al-Khalig (fomm el-ḵalīg), north of the Roman aqueduct and the famed Babylon Fortress, at a Christian cemetery in the north end of Old Cairo.
St. Mena's Church is, along with the UNESCO World Heritage site of Abu Mena, one of the best recognized architectural elements that are named after St. Mena. Having been established in the 6th century, it is also one of the oldest churches in Egypt. The Church is one of few surviving remnants of Coptic architecture.
Egyptian Muslims historically and presently discriminate and persecute Coptic's and other Christians. St. Mena's Church was the victim of a terrible terrorist attack in December, 2017. 8 church members were shot to death by terrorists who machine gunned the church.
Grateful for St. Mena's mission of charity to the local Cairo community, the community, Christian and Muslims included, helped subdue and disarm the armed Muslim terrorists who attacked the church last December, preventing a worse tragedy.
SAINT MENA'S CHURCH IS THE FUTURE OF CHRISTIANITY
Matthew 5:14: You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden.
St. Mena's Church was targeted precisely because it represents a Christian success story in a Muslim theocracy.
The Egyptian government will not permit any more churches to be built in Egypt. Only Mosques.
In fact an unlicensed church under construction was stormed by local Muslims and destroyed, not far from Saint Mena's Church.
St. Mena's Church is a model for Christian congregations to survive in regions hostile to Christianity. Saint Mena is the future of Christianity, a model for Christians to follow in a world that is increasingly hostile to our faith.
Our mission to save St. Menas is not a mere revival of an ancient church: this church is a vital, living, breathing model of Christianity in action.
