Youhanna Nessim Youssef
pp. 34-59
The church of Minyat Surd: 8 Ba’ūnah
Abstract
This article examines the Church of Minyat Surd (al-Mahamah) and its commemoration on 8 Ba’ūnah, focusing on its liturgical, textual, and historical contexts. Despite limited references in early liturgical calendars, the feast is preserved in several manuscripts. Through the study of a still unpublished Coptic-Arabic manuscript and comparative liturgical texts, this paper highlights unique linguistic features and theological themes, particularly linked to Marian devotion. The article also traces the tradition of the miraculous spring linked to the Holy Family’s journey into Egypt, demonstrating how local traditions, liturgy, and historical sources collectively shaped the cult of this site.