About - St. Mary & St. Paul Church El Hadra El Gedida

Church Identity

St. Mary & St. Paul Church El Hadra El Gedida

Our story began in 1996 with St. Mark & St. Andrew Church, Nozha Airport, and reached a defining moment on December 2, 2023, when the church was formally dedicated by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II — a journey that continues to unfold, most recently with a new chapel named after St. Abraam in 2026. Read the full story of our journey below.

The church bears the blessed names of St. Mary and St. Paul the Apostle. Its life is centered on worship, sacramental life, pastoral care, family discipleship, youth formation, and practical service.

The church lives the spirit of worship, reverence, service, and joyful fellowship, drawing strength from the words of St. Paul: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

A Word From Fr. Abram Beshondy

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God, Amen. From the very beginning, we were overjoyed that the Lord allowed a church to be established in this area under the name of St. Mary and St. Paul the Apostle. This had truly been a long-held hope, since there was no church named after St. Paul the Apostle in Alexandria — another attempt may have been made elsewhere, but it was not completed; it was only fulfilled afterward through our church here in El Hadra El Gedida. We thank God for this church and for its good, faithful, and blessed congregation, which today includes a great number of families in the area — a welcoming place that draws people from all across Egypt, from the Delta and Upper Egypt, and from many parts of Alexandria. May the Lord bless this ministry, bless the fathers who serve in it, and reward them abundantly for all their good work.

Fr. Abram Beshondy

Our Journey

Parish Milestones

Before 1994

Farmland

This land, lying between the Nozha Airport and Mahram Bek areas on Alexandria's southern side, was agricultural land under agrarian reform and remained cultivated until 1994.

1995

Rapid Urban Growth

The land began to be divided into building plots, and construction spread rapidly until the area became densely populated.

September 14, 1996

Land Purchased

St. Mark & St. Andrew Church at Nozha Airport purchased a 500 sqm plot in the new area to build a church to serve it, choosing the name St. Mary & St. Paul the Apostle Church — El Hadra El Gedida.

February 4, 2002

Building Licensed

License No. 25 of 2002 was obtained to construct a services building on the site.

May 23, 2002

Foundation Laid

The first peg was planted and foundation work began; the building rose over the full 500 sqm plot, seven floors above ground level.

September 8, 2003

Governor's Approval

Approval was obtained from the Governor to hold religious rites in the building.

December 31, 2003

First Divine Liturgy

The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on the altar of St. Mary. Liturgies have since been held weekly — Sunday, Monday, Wednesday & Friday — by the fathers of St. Mark & St. Andrew Church, Nozha Airport.

Date to be added

Baptistery Dedication

The church's baptistery was dedicated by the hand of H.H. Pope Shenouda III.

July 29, 2004

Land Expansion

An additional 120 sqm plot was purchased north of the church, to be used for a services building or future church expansion.

December 2, 2023 (22 Hatour 1740 A.M.)

Church Dedication

The church was formally dedicated by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II.

2026

New Chapel — St. Abraam

The church's facilities were expanded with a small chapel named after St. Abraam, adding a new space for prayer and worship within the church building.

Today

A Growing Parish Family

The church continues to grow in worship, service, and discipleship — a vibrant community rooted in the Orthodox faith and open to all who seek Christ.

Priests of the Church

Priest

Fr. Abram Beshondy

Ordained June 10, 1990, by H.H. Pope Shenouda III
Served at St. George & Prince Tadros Church, El Nozha Airport, Alexandria
Serving at St. Mary & St. Paul Church, El Hadra El Gedida, Alexandria since 2003 — established its Christian education ministry
Raised to the rank of Hegumen (Qumus): November 24, 2007

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