|
Saint Rewase Ancient Church |
|
Abba Rewase church was established in the 14th. century under the name of
St. Mercorios (Abu Siefen). But since 1404 it was named Abba Rewase who was
buried in it.
Thousands visit this church to gain his grace and to pray that he may mention them before the Almighty God. Many of them felt the power of his prayers towards them through the fulfillment of their needs and solving of their problems. Beneath the alter of the church of Abba Rewase is a Reliquary of the saint. To the right is the resting place of four popes. These are Abba Matheos the Great, eigty seventh successor of St. Mark, Abba Yoannis XI the eightyninth, Abba Matheos II ninetieth, and Abba Ghabrial VI the ninety first. On descending to this Reliquary the visitor faces an incon of Abba Matheos the Great, seated on his Chair, while Abba Rewase stands before him presenting "O loaf of offering" (Qorbana). At the bottom of the stairs, to the left near the enterance of the Reliquary are the relics of his disciple Soleiman. Beside him, there are the relics of Saint Apaly Ibn Yostes. This chruch, though small in size is greatly venerated for the sake of the Saint whose name it bears, and whose body it enshrines. Renewal of the chruch : Pious people tried to renew the church completely by putting it down to rebuilt it again to the modern style. The labour's hand was paralysed at the instant he hit the old building of church with his axe to get it down. Crying for help, the priest prayed, and the workman was cured. Since then, his tomb was left as it is. A second trial took place in 1949 when Gamiyat Nahdet El-Kanais started to renew the church. They asked H. H. Pope Yousap II to permit them to remove the corps of the saint untill they could rebuild the tomb. Their request was refused, and he ordered them to keep the corps in its place, and any renewal coule be made around it. The church was renewed again in 1976. |
|