Saint Mary Church (Haret Elroum)

Saint Mary Coptic Orthodox Church in Haret el-Roum () or the Church of the Virgin of Relief () is a Coptic Orthodox church in al-Ghūrīya, Cairo near the Convent of Saint Theodore.St-Theodore

From 1660 to 1800 the church was the Seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria. In 1660 Pope Matthew IV of Alexandria transferred the seat from Ḥārat Zūwayla to Ḥārat al-Rūm,St Mina where it remained until 1800 when Pope Mark VIII transferred the patriarchal seat to Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, Azbakeya.

Importance Saint Mary Church grew in importance as the centre of the Coptic Church. Several Coptic Popes are buried in the church.

History The church was rebuilt several times, and in 1794 Ibrahim El-Gohary renovated the church. It was damaged by fire during the reign of Pope Mark VIII (1797–1809) but was restored and rebuilt.

See also Christian Egypt List of Coptic Orthodox churches in Egypt

References