The most famous of Cairo's six Coptic churches, Al-Muallaqa, was built in the 4th century on one of the bastions of a Roman fort. built in the 4th century on one of the bastions of a Roman fort. The very name of the church, al-Muallaqa. means "suspended" in Arabic. Its meaning is explained by the location of the church, the main nave of which is situated between the two towers of the Babylon fortress. two towers of the fortress of Babylon, which serves as the foundation of the entire architectural complex. complex.
The church has the usual form of basilica for architecture of that time. However, in contrast to the unlike the standard form, in which there were to be three main halls (the central one is larger than the two side halls, and its grandeur is additionally emphasised by the difference in ceiling height, the ceilings in the side halls were made lower. The centre hall is larger than the two side halls, and its grandeur is further emphasised by the difference in ceiling height; the ceilings in the side halls were made lower). The central halls differ from each other only in width.
The church has a magnificent ancient iconostasis. But, unlike in Orthodox churches, the icons are at the top of the iconostasis. The main part of the iconostasis is a carved panel of Lebanese cedar wood, richly inlaid with ivory inlaid with ivory. The walls of the church are also decorated with icons, which are characterised by the flatness of the image, lack of proportion, lack of detail. Nevertheless, they make a very strong impression.
There are almost no frescoes here, this is also an element of Coptic culture, the frescoes were only used in the chapel, and in the church itself they are only seen in the form of ornamentation on the columns.
As in most Coptic temples, there are benches inside. Distinctive in the Coptic culture and crosses - they are orientated in two directions, so that, from from whichever direction you look, you can see the Cross.
In glass display cases strewn with scraps of paper, in wooden pencil cases, wrapped in coffers, lie the relics of the saints to whom numerous pilgrims address their requests and prayers. prayers of the many pilgrims who visit the Coptic churches.
Al-Muallaka is the only church that can be accessed from the outside of the of the fort, all other churches are inside the fort.
The church became the most important of all six churches after the public apparition of the of the Blessed Virgin Mary over the church in the 1960s. The Blessed One prayed to the Lord, exuding light in the night, and blessed those suffering to heal, whereupon they were healed.
