Emperor Haile Selassie and Martyr’s relics arrived in Cairo, June 1968
Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie arrived in Cairo to a big welcome for inauguration of the new Coptic cathedral of Saint Mark.
President Nasser greeted the diminutive Emperor as he stepped in ceremonial uniform from the jet bringing him from Addis Ababa, and crowd packing the flag-decked terraces of the terminal roared their greetings.
After the national anthems had been played and the Guard of Honour inspected president Nasser introduces Emperor Selassie to some of his minister, Vatican representatives and a party of black-cassocked Coptic bishops and priests.
The Emperor’s arrival was followed by that of the relics of Saint Mark – the first Archbishop of Alexandria who was martyred in Egypt 19 centuries ago. They were flown to Cairo from Rome accompanied by a large delegation of Copts and Roman Catholics.
The Emperor and president Nasser will watch today as the relics are re-interred in a crypt below the high altar of the new cathedral.
A large crowd surged forwards from the terminal building last night as the relics were brought from the aircraft by Coptic patriarch Kyrillos of Alexandria.
The martyr’s relics were believed to have been stolen in 828 and taken to Venice. They were handed back to the Coptic church by Pope Paul as a gesture designed to help pave the way towards greater unity among the Christian churches of Egypt.
