Miracle of the Moving Mountain

Introduction

In the annals of Coptic history, few stories are as profound and awe‑inspiring as the miracle of Mokattam Mountain. It took place during the reign of the Fatimid Caliph Al‑Mu’izz li‑Din Allah, between the years AD 972 and 975. This event stands as a powerful testament to the truth of the Gospel and the power of faith—recorded in the life of the Church, cherished in tradition, and pointing us straight to the very words of Jesus Himself.

The Challenge

At that time, Caliph Al‑Mu’izz was known for inviting leaders of different faiths to his court for open debates. On one such occasion, Pope Abraham—also called Pope Abraam, the 62nd Patriarch of Alexandria—was present, alongside a man named Ya’qub ibn Killis.

As Pope Abraham spoke with wisdom and grace, the truth of his words became clear. Seeking to discredit the Christian faith and prove the Gospel empty, Ibn Killis turned to the words Jesus spoke in Matthew 17:20:

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

He challenged the Pope: “If this is true, then prove it!” The Caliph turned to the Patriarch and asked, “Is this truly written in your Scriptures?” When Pope Abraham confirmed it was, the Caliph gave a heavy decree: unless this sign was performed, the Patriarch and all Coptic Christians would be put to death. The Pope asked for three days to prepare.

The Preparation and the Vision

Pope Abraham gathered all the monks, priests and elders, and called the whole church to three days of earnest prayer, fasting and repentance—turning humbly to God, not trusting in man’s wisdom or strength.

On the third day, while he prayed in the famous Hanging Church of Cairo, the Virgin Mary appeared to him and said:

“Go to the great market. There thou wilt find a one‑eyed man carrying a jar full of water upon his shoulder. Seize him, for he it is at whose hands this miracle shall be manifested.”

The Pope immediately went to the market and found the man exactly as described. His name was Simon the Tanner. He was a humble shoemaker and water carrier known for his great holiness. It is said that he had plucked out his own eye in obedience to the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:29–30: *"If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell."*

The Miracle

Simon instructed the Pope to gather all the people, the clergy, and go out to the foot of Mokattam Mountain, where the Caliph and his army were waiting. Simon told the Patriarch: *"Cry out 'O Lord, have mercy' three times, and each time make the sign of the cross over the mountain."*

Pope Abraham obeyed faithfully. As he prayed and made the sign of the cross, a terrifying and wonderful thing happened. The massive mountain began to shake, lift up, and move down. It rose so high that the light of the sun could be seen beneath it, terrifying all who witnessed it.

Amazed and frightened, the Caliph cried out, "Stop the mountain!" Pope Abraham commanded in the name of Jesus Christ, and immediately the mountain became still. When the Pope turned to thank Simon, the humble man had vanished, leaving only the witness of God's power.

The Aftermath

Witnessing this undeniable sign, Caliph Al-Mu'izz acknowledged the truth of the Christian faith. History records that he later chose to abdicate his throne in favor of his son, converted to Christianity, and entered a monastery. A large baptismal font, known today as "Maamoudiat Al-Sultan" (The Baptistery of the Sultan), was built for him in the Church of Saint Mercurius and remains there to this day.

In commemoration of this event, the Coptic Orthodox Church established a tradition of fasting for three extra days before the Nativity Fast. Furthermore, the mountain itself became known as Mokattam, which implies "the broken-off mountain," referencing how it was lifted and moved from its place.

Historical and Archaeological Evidence

While some Muslim historians, such as Ahmad Zaki Pasha and Muhammad Abdullah Enan, have rejected the narrative, the story remains deeply embedded in Coptic identity and tradition.

Remarkably, physical evidence has emerged to support the account. During restoration work in 1991 at the Church of the Holy Virgin in Babylon El-Darag, the skeleton of Saint Simon was discovered. It was found about one meter below the surface, and remarkably, the hair on the back of the skull was still intact, confirming that he was bald on top with thick hair at the back—matching ancient icons.

Nearby, an ancient clay jar, dated to be over 1,000 years old, was found. It is believed to be the very vessel Simon used to carry water for the poor. Today, this jar is preserved in the modern Church of Saint Simon located on the mountain itself.

A Name Written in Scripture

Interestingly, the name Simon the Tanner is not new to history; it is actually mentioned in the Bible itself in the Book of Acts.

"And now send men to Joppa and have them call for and invite here a certain Simon whose surname is Peter; He is lodging with Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside." — Acts 10:5-6 (AMP)

And again:

"Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is surnamed Peter; he is staying in the house of Simon the tanner by the seaside." — Acts 10:32 (AMP)

It is as if God, in His wisdom, preserved this title and this calling from the days of the early Church, so that centuries later, another holy man bearing the same name and occupation would be chosen to perform such a great wonder.

Conclusion

The story of the moving mountain is more than a legend; it is a powerful testimony that bridges faith and fact. It reminds us that the words of Jesus are true: faith the size of a mustard seed is indeed powerful enough to overcome what seems impossible.

But why does this story still matter so much today?

First: It reminds us that God is still the same God—He has not changed. What He did then, He can still do now. We are not serving a God who grew weak or stopped speaking; He is still moving mountains when we trust Him.

​Second: It shows us that God does not need great people to do great things. He chose a poor, humble water‑carrier—someone the world would never notice—to work a miracle before kings and armies. Your background, your status, or how small you feel does not stop God’s power—He looks at your heart.

​Third: It teaches us that when things seem impossible—when challenges stand like huge mountains right in front of us—we do not fight with anger, arguments or worldly power. We fight with prayer, humility, and faith in the name of Jesus.

Finally: It encourages us to take God at His Word. The promise Jesus spoke is not just for saints long ago; it is for you and me today.

Today the Mokattam Hills still stand silent, yet for millions of believers they remain a living monument—to the truth that God keeps His word, that He delights to help those who trust Him, and that no mountain, no problem, and no situation is too great for our God.

___-___-___-___-___-___-___-___

Help us grow this page! 🙏

If this message has blessed you and deepened your understanding of the Scriptures, please:

- Subscribe 📮 so you never miss an update.

- React 🔥❤️ to let us know this truth resonated with you.

- Comment 🤔 and share your thoughts or questions.

- Share📨 it with your loved ones and friends.

Let us all grow together in grace and knowledge. 🕊️