I finally got my shawarma—cold, but still glorious. But for a solid hour, I was soaked in incense, confused by a language I’ll never learn, and desperately trying not to stare at the relics. Mission accomplished. St. Mary & St. Abanoub isn’t just a place of worship; it’s a bold, stubborn, slightly chaotic statement that ancient faiths don’t die—they just move to the suburbs.
So whether you’re a devout Coptic Christian, a curious atheist, or just someone who got lost on the way to lunch: visit. The incense is thick, the history is deep, and the community will probably feed you. Just don’t ask about the logistics of the beasts refusing to eat a 12-year-old. Some mysteries are best left to the saints.
