Egypt

Stored: Egypt

Country: Egypt
Historic:
Existence:	–
Continent:	Africa
Region:	Northeast Africa
Historical Region:
Area:	1002450 km²
Population:	109000000
Catholic Population:	250000
Catholic Percentage:	0.23%
Catholicism Status:	Small minority religion, Islamic state
Official Languages:	Arabic
Capital:	Cairo
Catholicism Introduced:	1st century AD
Ecclesiastical Provinces:	0
Dioceses:	3
Patron Saints:	Saint Mark the Evangelist
Predecessor States:
Successor States:

Egypt is a Northeast African nation, covering approximately 1,002,450 km² with a population of about 109 million as of 2025. Its official language is Arabic, and its economy relies on agriculture, tourism, and natural gas. The Catholic Church, with approximately 250,000 adherents (0.23% of the population), is a small minority religion, ranking third after Islam (90%) and Coptic Orthodoxy (9%), introduced in the 1st century AD through early Christian communities. Catholicism shapes Egypt’s minority Christian culture through education, charity, and the patronage of Saint Mark the Evangelist.

The Church, with three dioceses and no ecclesiastical province, has a limited presence, mainly in urban areas like Cairo and Alexandria, and faces challenges from Egypt’s Islamic state policies and societal restrictions on Christians. Sites like the Cathedral of Our Lady of Fatima in Cairo serve as spiritual hubs for the small Catholic community.

Saints

Birthplace

Parameter received: Egypt

Egypt

SaintName SaintBirthPlace Saint Anthony the Abbot Coma, Roman Egypt (near Herakleopolis Magna, now Egypt) Saint Apollonia Alexandria, Egypt Saint Athanasius of Alexandria Alexandria, Roman Egypt (now Egypt) Saint Cassian of Autun Unknown, possibly Egypt Saint Catherine of Alexandria Alexandria, Egypt, Roman Empire Saint Cyril of Alexandria Alexandria, Egypt, Roman Empire Saint Eugenia of Alexandria Alexandria, Egypt, Roman Empire (now Egypt) Saint Julian and Basilissa Antinoë, Egypt (likely) Saint Maurice Thebes, Egypt, Roman Empire Saint Maurice d'Agaune Thebes, Egypt, Roman Empire Saint Nemesius of Alexandria Alexandria, Egypt, Roman Empire (now Egypt) Saint Pachomius the Great Thebes, Egypt, Roman Empire (now Luxor, Egypt) Saint Paul the Hermit Thebes, Egypt, Roman Empire

Death place

Parameter received: Egypt

Egypt

SaintName DeathPlace Saint Anthony the Abbot Mount Colzim, Roman Egypt (near the Red Sea, now Egypt) Saint Apollonia Alexandria, Egypt Saint Athanasius of Alexandria Alexandria, Roman Egypt (now Egypt) Saint Catherine of Alexandria Alexandria, Egypt, Roman Empire Saint Cyril of Alexandria Alexandria, Egypt, Roman Empire Saint Eugenia of Alexandria Alexandria, Egypt, Roman Empire (now Egypt) Saint John Climacus Mount Sinai, Egypt Saint Julian and Basilissa Antinoë, Egypt (or possibly Antioch, Syria) Saint Mark the Evangelist Alexandria, Egypt Saint Moses the Black Scetis, Wadi El Natrun, Egypt Saint Nemesius of Alexandria Alexandria, Egypt, Roman Empire (now Egypt) Saint Pachomius the Great Tabennisi, Egypt, Roman Empire (near modern Dendera, Egypt) Saint Paul the Hermit Desert near Thebes, Egypt, Roman Empire

Notable locations

Parameter received: Egypt

Egypt

SaintName NotableAddress1 Saint Anthony the Abbot Desert of Nitria, Roman Egypt (now Egypt) Saint Cassian of Autun Thebes, Egypt Saint Catherine of Alexandria St. Catherine's Monastery, Sinai 20, Egypt Saint Eugenia of Alexandria Monastery of Saint Eugenia, Alexandria, Egypt (traditional) Saint Ignazio Choukrallah Maloyan Alexandria, Egypt Saint John Climacus Monastery of Saint Catherine, Mount Sinai, Egypt Saint Mark the Evangelist Alexandria, Egypt (where he founded the See) Saint Moses the Black Paromeos Monastery, Wadi El Natrun, Egypt Saint Nemesius of Alexandria Church of Saint Menas, Alexandria, Egypt (traditional) Saint Pachomius the Great Monastery of Tabennisi, Egypt Saint Paul the Hermit Desert cave near the Red Sea, Egypt

Parameter received: Egypt

Egypt
SaintName NotableAddress2 Saint Eugenia of Rome Tabennisi Monastery Ruins, near Fayoum, Egypt Saint Frumentius St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, Abbassiya, Cairo, Egypt Saint Ignazio Choukrallah Maloyan Cairo, Egypt Saint Nemesius of Alexandria Cathedral of Saint Mark, Alexandria, Egypt

Parameter received: Egypt

Egypt
SaintName NotableAddress3 Saint Eugenia of Alexandria Cathedral of Saint Mark, Alexandria, Egypt Saint Moses the Black Monastery of the Virgin Mary, Scetis, Egypt Saint Peter Thomas Alexandria, Egypt

Parameter received: Egypt

Egypt
No saints found with Notable Address 4 matching Egypt.

Parameter received: Egypt

Egypt
No saints found with Notable Address 5 matching Egypt.

Geography

Egypt is located in Northeast Africa, bordered by Libya, Sudan, Israel, Gaza Strip, and the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Its 1,002,450 km² includes the Nile River valley, Sahara Desert, and Sinai Peninsula, with a mostly arid climate. Major cities like Cairo (the capital), Alexandria, and Luxor host Catholic communities, with mission stations in Upper Egypt. The terrain and Islamic dominance limit Church outreach, particularly in rural areas.

History

Egypt’s history includes ancient Pharaonic civilizations, Greco-Roman rule, Islamic conquest in 641 AD, Ottoman and British control (1882–1952), and independence in 1953. Catholicism was introduced in the 1st century AD through early Christian communities in Alexandria, traditionally founded by Saint Mark the Evangelist. The Church grew modestly under Byzantine and later Islamic rule, with renewed Catholic presence in the 19th century via Jesuit and Franciscan missions. It faces restrictions in modern Egypt due to Islamic state policies but maintains a role in education and interfaith dialogue.

Predecessor states

Egypt’s territory was part of ancient Pharaonic kingdoms, the Ptolemaic Kingdom, and Roman/Byzantine Egypt before the Islamic conquest in 641 AD. The Ottoman Eyalet of Egypt (1517–1867) and the British-occupied Khedivate of Egypt (1882–1922) preceded the modern Kingdom of Egypt (1922–1953), which transitioned to the Republic of Egypt. Early Catholic communities, centered in Alexandria, persisted under Islamic rule, with Coptic Catholic missions growing in the 18th century.

Successor states

The Republic of Egypt, established in 1953, has no direct successor states, as it remains a unified nation. The Catholic Church, though small, supports interfaith dialogue and minority rights, navigating challenges in an Islamic-majority state.

Demographics

Egypt’s 109 million people include 0.23% Catholics (250,000), 90% Muslims, 9% Coptic Orthodox, and 1% other Christians. Ethnic groups are primarily Egyptian Arabs (98%), with Coptic and Nubian minorities. Catholicism is concentrated in urban Cairo, Alexandria, and Upper Egypt, with communities like the Coptic Catholics showing distinct liturgical traditions.

Catholic church

The Catholic Church in Egypt comprises three dioceses (Coptic, Latin, and Maronite rites) and about 200 parishes, led by the Assembly of Catholic Hierarchs in Egypt. Leaders like Patriarch Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak of the Coptic Catholic Church oversee education and charity. The Church operates schools and hospitals, maintaining a modest presence despite restrictions.

Structure

The Church has no ecclesiastical province but includes three dioceses.

• Coptic Catholic Patriarchate of Alexandria (Cairo, nationwide).
• Latin Apostolic Vicariate of Alexandria (Alexandria, North).
• Maronite Eparchy of Cairo (Cairo, nationwide).

Introduction of Catholicism

Catholicism was introduced in the 1st century AD through early Christian communities in Alexandria, traditionally founded by Saint Mark the Evangelist. The Coptic Catholic Church, formalized in 1741, and Latin-rite missions in the 19th century by Jesuits and Franciscans strengthened the Catholic presence.

Key historical events

The 1st-century establishment of Christianity in Alexandria marked Catholicism’s entry. The 1741 union of Coptic Catholics with Rome formalized the Coptic Catholic Church. The 2017 visit of Pope Francis to Cairo promoted interfaith dialogue amid Christian persecution.

Catholicism status

Catholicism, with 0.23% adherence, is a small minority religion in an Islamic state under the 2014 Constitution, which privileges Islam. The Church faces restrictions on church construction and societal discrimination but enjoys limited religious freedom.

Cultural influence

Festivals and traditions

Catholics celebrate feasts like Saint Mark the Evangelist (April 25) with liturgies in Cairo. Coptic Catholic traditions, such as fasting periods, blend with local Coptic practices.

Education and charity

The Church operates over 150 schools and several hospitals, serving Christians and Muslims. Caritas Egypt addresses poverty and refugee needs, aligning with Catholic Social Teaching.

Art and architecture

Catholic heritage is evident in churches like Cathedral of Our Lady of Fatima in Cairo, built in 1950. Coptic Catholic churches in Upper Egypt feature Coptic-style iconography.

Notable Catholic sites

Pilgrimage sites

Cathedral of Our Lady of Fatima in Cairo is a key pilgrimage site. Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai, though Orthodox, attracts Catholic pilgrims.

Historical churches

Basilica of Saint Therese in Cairo, built in 1932, is a Latin-rite landmark. Coptic Catholic Cathedral of the Resurrection in Asyut, built in 1960, serves Upper Egypt.

Saints and blesseds

Patron saints

Saint Mark the Evangelist, celebrated on April 25, is Egypt’s patron.

Associated saints and blesseds

Notable figures include Saint Mark the Evangelist (1st century, founder of Alexandrian Christianity), Saint Anthony the Great (canonized 4th century, monastic pioneer), and Blessed Marie-Alphonsine Danil Ghattas (beatified 2009, Palestinian nun active in Egypt).

Challenges to Catholicism

The Church faces challenges from Egypt’s Islamic state policies, including restrictions on church building and occasional violence against Christians. Social discrimination and Coptic Orthodox dominance limit growth, countered by education, charity, and interfaith efforts.

Social and political influence

The Church influences education, healthcare, and interfaith dialogue, guided by Catholic Social Teaching. It advocates for Christian rights but has limited political influence in an Islamic state.

External links

• "Egypt". CIA World Factbook. 2024-12-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/egypt/. 
• "Catholic Dioceses in Egypt". GCatholic.org. 2025-01-22. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/EG.htm. 
• "Catholicism in Egypt". Catholics & Cultures. 2020-06-15. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/egypt.