CAIRO — Christians and Muslims in Egypt flocked to churches and monasteries bearing the name of the Virgin Mary to take part in the festivities of the Assumption, which started on Aug. 6 and lasted 14 days. The Virgin Mary Church in Mostorod in Cairo has a special place in the Coptic history as one of the sites visited by the holy family when they came to the land of Egypt and an archaeological shrine of the Virgin Mary.

In the province of Assiut, on Aug. 8, Copts crowded the monastery of the Virgin Mary in Daranka, where the holy family also visited.

As churches across Egypt's governorates hold prayers and chant hymns for 14 days, Copts fast in commemoration of the Assumption.

Despite the wave of terrorist attacks that have plagued Egypt during the past few months, such as the Italian consulate bombing on July 11 and the assassination of Attorney General Hisham Barakat on June 29, Virgin Mary attractions saw a large turnout. Visitors seemed unconcerned about the possibility of violence that could target large gatherings or churches during these festivities, as happened in the Virgin Mary Church in al-Warraq on Oct. 20, 2013, when an attack left four dead, including a child.