From the very beginning, the rascal cat doesn't want to go. We're still in Cairo, have just finished a delicious lunch at a fabulous restaurant, have puffed on or sniffed our hookah pipe, and seen the mosque. Full day, right? But there's one more thing I have to see.
The Hanging Church.
Of course, this is no ordinary church. Nothing in Egypt is bland or ordinary. The church has a rich, complicated and disputed history. Dan tries his best to capture Chuck's interest by sharing what he feels are the most interesting details.
"Chuck," Dan says, after we climb up the steps and walk under the archway, which used to be part of a Roman fortress, "this is one of the oldest churches in Egypt. It dates back to the 3rd century and belongs to the Coptic Orthodox Church of America."
I fear Dan is crawling into the weeds. Coptic Orthodox Church? He wants Chuck to understand there is a Christian tradition in this predominantly Muslim country, but I imagine as Dan is speaking, he sounds like the way adults sound to Charlie Brown: whah, whah, whah, whah, whah.
"Tell Chuck the most interesting part," I plead.
Dan plods on. "The Church was most likely renovated by Pope Abraham."
I interrupt. "Because he had a dream. Or was it a dream? Some people believe--"
"Some people believe it was an apparition. In 970. An apparition of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. What he saw is now accepted as a Marion Apparition."
"This is the good part," I add loudly.
"People can claim to see Mary. Or hear her. Or see a statue of Mary crying. But you need to visually see her and she needs to be located in your environment in order for it to be considered real and an intervention of divine power."
"That's why, Chucky, this church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. She's appeared many times here, Chucky. You need to keep your eyes open. You never know."
I look down at Chuck and he's staring at us as if all of this is a bit too much.
"Over the years this church has been used to consecrate holy oil, select and bury patriarchs, and, unfortunately, judge heresy trials."
We both look down at the same time to see how Chuck is reacting or, frankly, if he's even listening to this last part about the heresy trials.
He's gone.
Now the Hanging Church is a popular destination for tourists, believe it or not. There are people milling around us. Coming and going. Admiring the icons on the walls. Probably imagining the fact that the Virgin Mary was actually here.
Where is he?
We only took our eyes off of him for a second.
"He can't have gone far."
"He must be right around here somewhere."
We're in the main body of the church now, walking down the aisles, looking right and left. I spot him first and point.
"Unbelievable."
The Rascal Cat is lying down in one of the pews, head resting on one of his paws, next to an elderly lady who is also taking a moment to catch her breath. She's resting and Chuck is cat napping.
"Chuck, you might have missed an apparition," I say.
"I think the poor kid is worn out," Dan says.
"You missed your chance to make history, Chuck."
But, obviously, Chuck doesn't care. Dan lifts him up. If the Virgin Mary is appearing today, it won't be to Chuck. That's a fact.
