Astronomical phenomenon: Sunlight illuminates St. Michael’s Church altar

CAIRO - 3 May 2017: The sunlight illuminated again the altar of the historic Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Michael in Sharqia governorate on Monday. Dozens of Copts, astronomers and archeology professors flocked to the church in order to witness the unique astronomical phenomenon which lasted for 60 minutes during the mass, from 10 a.m. till 11 a.m.

The phenomenon, which was coincidently discovered, occurs twice a year as sunlight falls perpendicularly on the altar of the church on 1 May and 19 June.

Saint Michael Coptic Orthodox Church is one of the oldest churches in Egypt, and was built during the fourth century AD.