Spatial Documentation of the Holy Family’s Journey in Egypt: A Field Verification Benefited by Google Earth Maps

Egypt was a safe shelter for the child prophet Jesus accompanied by the Virgin Mary, and Joseph the carpenter in their flight from Herod, as the Matthew’s Gospel tells us: “Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt”. He stayed there until the death of Herod (Mt. 2:14–15). The Vision of Theophilus, as a fourth century Coptic narrative oral tradition was considered an historical source about the route and sites of the Holy Family Journey in Egypt (HFJE). Egypt is interested in facilitating tourists’ visit to the spots of the (HFJE), benefiting the symbolism of the journey and its message for peace and goodwill. The anniversary celebrating of the entry of the Holy Family to Egypt comes on 1 June every year. The study adopts three approaches: Chronological—pursuing sources that denoted the (HFJE), Survey—monitoring the Holy Family’s Journey path and sites in Egypt using Google Earth images, and Environmental—describing landmarks on the itinerary of (HFJE) for tourists. The study relies on field evidence compiled by the author about the (HFJE) sites, its facilities, restrictions, and sustainability.