Egypt in Melbourne
On the way to the market, there was a large billboard sized poster sign: "Egyptian Cultural Festival 17 to 18 November 2026: Coptic Orthodox Church." It stood out from the music gigs posters and state government advertising which was also pasted to the derelict industrial building walls on a main arterial road.
The closest to Egyptian culture experienced to date was Half Moon Cafe one suburb away, a decades old falafel institution in Melbourne known to be the best. So good we had arranged a tub of the felafel mixture and one of their scoops to serve freshly cooked fava bean falafel at my son's first birthday party.
At 8:15am Sunday 18 November, the festival was buzzing in preparations for the day. The rich smells and sounds of smoky, sizzling traditional Egyptian food across the stalls was so enlivening and inviting. It provided for a sincere welcoming community spirit rich and warm in the fresh early morning spring air. As exciting as the food and activity options were, it was the open door church service that took the experience to an even higher level. The wooden doors were so beautifully carved and open to visitors. The red carpet underfoot felt royal and cushioning. Sunday morning service to prayer was underway. The incense wafting through in energetic waves invigorating the senses. The walls, windows and roof vibrantly rich in spectacular images of the Divine. The wooden pews seating a scattered few as the formalities began.
No matter the nature of one's faith or atheism, such a dedicated community space of worship to our higher selves, and beyond ourselves, is purely inspirational and naturally very powerful. The beauty in the stillness of a Sunday morning, in taking pause to gather, reflect and celebrate human morality and spirit, expands far beyond the ideas we have of ourselves and others, far beyond the fear and desire of worldly change and troubles. It provides a rich foundation for human expression, reflection and inspiration. You can literally feel the strength of the commitment of all who have inhabited this space, while sitting at a pew. Solid earthly wooden floors and seats to the touch. Incense and prayer in the air. Candles aflame. Images of relationships to God all around, bold and heartfelt. Sheer beauty.
Discovering today that the church globally is one of the five ancient churches, beginning in Alexandria, Egypt, in 42-55 AD and today it now also exists on the complete opposite side of the globe in Melbourne 2026. Still as vulnerable as ever in opening its door to the community to share its spiritual community tradition and foster understanding.