Stonework from Coptic Church. Old Cairo, Egypt

"There were many martyrs' shrines in Egypt, but perhaps the most famous of them was that of St. Menas, which lies nearly 70 km to the west of Alexandria. Between 306 and 337, a small oratory was built over the tomb of the warrior saint and martyr, Menas. A few year later, Patriarch Athanasius built the first Church of St Menas at the site. It rapidly achieved a reputation for miracles, and pilgrims flocked to visit the great healing shrine. The figure of the saint is represented standing between two camels." [Watterson B., 1988: Coptic Egypt. Scottish Academy Press]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was working on "The Nile" project and traveled to Africa from March 14, 1961 to March 31, 1961, visiting Egypt.