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Restoration of Virgin Mary Monastery in southern Egypt sparks controversy

The Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church is on the defensive after tiles were placed over the traditional flooring at a historic monastery in Assiut governorate.
Virgin Mary Monastery

CAIRO —– The restoration in southern Egypt of the Virgin Mary Monastery, located at a place where the holy family may have spent its last days in Egypt before returning to Palestine more than 2,000 years ago, is causing a stir.

The Virgin Mary Monastery in Dronka in Assiut governorate is said to have been built where Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus spent time before boarding a boat on the Nile River and returning to their homeland.

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