Archaeological study: St Mark Cathedral first church set up in Africa

Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria which witnessed a terror attack on Sunday is the first church set up in Africa, according to an archaeological study.

In press statements on Tuesday, Selvana George Atallah - who carried out the research at the Antiquities Ministry – said that it is the center of the Greek culture and occupied an international position since the early AD ages.

The cathedral is said to stand on the site of the church founded by St. Mark the Evangelist in AD 60.

St. Mark the Evangelist (author of the second Gospel) has been connected with the city of Alexandria since earliest Christian tradition. Coptic Christians believe he arrived in Alexandria around AD 60 and stayed for about seven years.

Coptic Christians believe he arrived in Alexandria around AD 60 and stayed for about seven years.

During this time, Mark converted many to Christianity and performed many miracles. He is considered the founder of the church in Alexandria and the first Bishop of Alexandria. 

According to tradition, St. Mark was arrested during a festival of Serapis in AD 68 and martyred by being dragged through the streets. He was buried under the church he had founded.

In July 1798, the church was pulled down during the French invasion of Alexandria.

In 1819, the church was rebuilt and opened by Pope Peter El Gawly in the time of Mohammed Ali Pasha.

In 1870, the church was renewed in the time of Pope Demetrius II and by the supervision of Bishop Marcos of El Behira.

Between the years 1950 – 1952, in the time of Pope Yusab II, the church building was pulled down and another, larger building was built with reinforced concrete after the basilique style. The six marble pillars were transferred into the outer entrance of the church. The icon carrier was accurately cut into parts, each part given a number, and then it was cautiously returned to where it was originally. The two minarets were not pulled down as they were reinforced with concrete and were decorated with beautiful Coptic engravings. Two new bells – brought from Italy – were provided, one for each minaret.

Between 1985 and 1990, the church was widened from the western side after the former style with great accuracy, keeping the two minarets in their places, so the entire area of the church was doubled. The six pillars were transferred to the new western entrance of the church.