Thought for the Week: The Mountain that Moved

A recent Thought for the Week quoted the following verse from the Bible, where Jesus said,

‘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.” Matthew 17:20

In the 10th Century, Interfaith was happening in Cairo, Egypt. The Caliph al-Muizz debated religious matters with the Pope of the Coptic Church and the leader of the Jewish Faith. The Pope was winning the debate, so the Jew challenged him on this particular verse and the Caliph asked him to prove it in three days or else.

The Pope went back to his congregation and asked them to pray. Nothing happened on day one or day two. Then he was led to Simon, the Tanner, who was a virtuous, holy man of faith and asked him to pray. Simon told everyone to go to the Mokattam Mountain. As they watched the mountain began to rise! The Caliph quickly asked Simon to stop praying as he feared that the mountain top would destroy Cairo.

This miracle is recorded in the documents of all three religions.

Today, you can go to the top of this mountain through Garbage City. There is a monastery dedicated to St Simon the Tanner and several enormous churches carved out of the rock.

Prayer is a powerful thing!

Marian Nash - member of the Christian faith

Date: Monday 23rd May 2022