The Holy Family as the Axis of Pilgrimage: A Comparative Study of the Coptic Orthodox Church and Imami Shi‘ism with Emphasis on the Statements of Imam Reza (A.S.)

Saleh, Sayyed Mohammad Hasan

doi:10.22034/ijs.2026.513479.1367

The Holy Family as the Axis of Pilgrimage: A Comparative Study of the Coptic Orthodox Church and Imami Shi‘ism with Emphasis on the Statements of Imam Reza (A.S.)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Sayyed Mohammad Hasan Saleh

Assistant Professor, Department of Religions and Mysticism, Al-Zahra University (Peace be upon her), Tehran, Iran.

10.22034/ijs.2026.513479.1367

Abstract

Pilgrimage (ziyārah) is a focal concept in the Abrahamic religions, and its foundation rests upon the "sacred place" — a place that derives its sanctity from its connection with the unseen source and God Almighty. The divine truth manifests in various ways, and at times, a family itself becomes the embodiment of the divine, and the places of their residence or passage are transformed into pilgrimage sites. The present article, employing a descriptive-analytical method and a comparative approach, examines the concept of the "Holy Family" in Coptic Christianity and Imami Shi‘ism and its role in the formation of pilgrimage. The findings demonstrate that the presence of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, and Joseph the Carpenter in northern Egypt imparted a new dimension to pilgrimage in the Coptic Orthodox Church, and their settlement in various locations transformed those sites into places of pilgrimage. The ultimate goal of pilgrimage in the Coptic Church is theosis (divinization, tashabbuh bi Allāh) and union with Christ. In the Shi‘i denomination as well, the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) play a central role in the process of sanctification, and their presence, or the places attributed to them, has brought about the genesis of the concept of pilgrimage. The teachings of Imam al-Riḍā (A.S.) open a distinct window onto the philosophy of pilgrimage. He regards "the renewal of the pilgrim’s covenant with the Infallible Imam (A.S.)" as the essence of pilgrimage. This covenant consolidates the commitment to wilāyah (guardianship) in this world and brings about the intercession (shafā‘ah) of the Imam for the pilgrim on the Day of Resurrection. Accordingly, if the ultimate goal of pilgrimage in the Coptic tradition is "divinization (tashabbuh bi Allāh)," in the Shi‘i tradition, based on the Razavi discourse, the ultimate goal of pilgrimage is "the renewal of the bond of wilāyah with a living and present Imam."

Keywords

Family, Pilgrimage (Ziyārah), Shi&‌‌lsquo

ism, Ahl al-Bayt (A.S.), Coptic Orthodox Church, Imam al-Riḍā (A.S.)

Subjects

Imam Reza (AS) and Contemporary Science

The Holy Qur’an (1389 Sh). Translated by Nasser Makarem Shirazi. Qom: Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S.) Publications.

Abd al-Latif, Muhammad Ahmad (2022). Mahattat min Rihlat al-‘A’ilah al-Muqaddasah fi Misr [Stations from the Journey of the Holy Family in Egypt]. Cairo: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Press.

Albright, W. F. &Mann, C. S.(1971). Matthew. Anchor Bible, New York, Garden City(N.Y.) : Doubleday & Company.

Al-Qummi, Ali ibn Ibrahim (1367 Sh). Tafsir al-Qummi. Qom: Dar al-Kitab.

Anatolios, Khaled and Brown, Stephen F.(2009). Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity,Chelsea House.

Angold, Michael(2006). the Cambridge History of Eastern Christianity: Eastern Christianity, vol. 5, New York, Cambridge University.

Ann Marie B., Barr (1400 Sh). Da’irat al-Ma‘arif-e Mosavvar-e Masihiyyat [The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Christianity]. Translated by Habib Bashirpour and Masoumeh Ansari. Tehran: Sayan.

Armstrong, Karen (1400 Sh). Tarikh-e Mokhtasar-e Ostureh [A Short History of Myth]. Translated by Abbas Mokhber. Tehran: Markaz.

Azimzadeh Ardebili, Fatemeh, & Zabihi, Atefeh (1400 Sh). Components of Family Mental Health and Hygiene in Razavi Narrations. Razavi Culture, 1(2), 155–179.

Baghbani, Javad, & Rasulzadeh, Abbas (1389 Sh). Shenakht-e Masihiyyat [Understanding Christianity]. Qom: Imam Khomeini Educational and Research Institute.

Boudon, Raymond (1389 Sh). Motala‘ati dar Asar-e Jame‘eh-shenasan-e Kelasik [Studies in the Works of Classical Sociologists]. Translated by Bagher Parham. Tehran: Markaz.

Bruce-Mitford, Miranda (1388 Sh). Farhang-e Mosavvar-e Namad-ha va Neshan-ha dar Jahan [The Illustrated Book of Signs and Symbols]. Translated by Abolqasem Dadvar and Zahra Taran. Tehran: Al-Zahra University.

Daqiqian, Shirindokht (1379 Sh/2000). Nardebani be Aseman: Niayeshgah dar Falsafeh va Tarikh-e Yahud [A Ladder to Heaven: The Place of Worship in Jewish Philosophy and History]. Tehran: Vida.

Durkheim, Émile (1399 Sh). The General Idea of Anomie. In: Durkheim, Az Falsafeh-ye Ejtema‘i ta Sosiologism-e Ma‘navi [From Social Philosophy to Spiritual Sociologism]. Translated by Mehdi Aslanzadeh. Tehran: Gam-e No.

Eliade, Mircea (1373 Sh). Resaleh-i dar Tarikh-e Adyan [A Treatise on the History of Religions]. Translated by Jalal Sattari. Tehran: Soroush.

Eliade, Mircea (1378 Sh). Moqaddas va Na-Moqaddas [The Sacred and the Profane]. Translated by Nasrollah Zanguyi. Tehran: Soroush.

Elias, Salim (2008). Al-Mawsu‘ah al-Kubra li al-Madhahib wa al-Firaq wa al-Adyan (Al-Kanisah al-Qibtiyyah) [The Grand Encyclopedia of Sects, Denominations, and Religions (The Coptic Church)]. Beirut: Middle East Cultural Center.

Eusebius(1965)The History of the Church from Christ to Constantine,trans.:J.A.Williamson,Britania.

Fazeli, Ne‘matollah, & Akbari, Zahra (1398 Sh). Semantic Changes in the Act of Pilgrimage from the Perspective of Interpretive Anthropology: A Case Study of Pilgrims of Imam Reza (A.S.). Pazhuhesh-ha-ye Ejtema‘i-ye Islami [Islamic Social Research], 9(17), 17–40.

Feredjian,Aivazin(2005). Eastern Christian Pilgrimage, in: the Encyclopedia of Religion, Vol.11, pp.335-337, USA, Macmillan.

Ferm, Vergilius Ture Anselm(1945). An Encyclopedia of Religion. New York. the Philosophical library.

France, Richard T(1981). Scripture, tradition and history in the infancy narratives of Matthew, in: In: Studies of the history and tradition in the four gospels, Volume: 2, Pages: 239-266.

Gholamian, Reyhaneh (1396 Sh). Shamayel-negari dar Kelisa-ye Ortodoks: Janbeh-ha-ye Ilahiyyati va Honari [Iconography in the Orthodox Church: Theological and Artistic Aspects]. Qom: University of Religions and Denominations.

Hamilton, Malcolm (1392 Sh). Jame‘eh-shenasi-ye Din [The Sociology of Religion]. Translated by Mohsen Thalasi. Tehran: Thalith.

Hashemi, Abd al-Mun‘im (2003). Maryam Bint ‘Imran Umm al-Masih [Mary Daughter of Imran, Mother of the Messiah]. Beirut: Dar al-Hilal.

Hurr al-‘Amili, Muhammad ibn al-Hasan (1412 AH). Wasa’il al-Shi‘ah ila Tahsil Masa’il al-Shari‘ah. Beirut: Dar Ihya’ al-Turath al-‘Arabi.

Ibn Babawayh, Muhammad ibn Ali (1378 AH). ‘Uyun Akhbar al-Reza (A.S.). Tehran: Jahan.

Ibn Faris, Ahmad ibn Faris (1410 AH). Mu‘jam Maqayis al-Lughah. Beirut: Al-Dar al-Islamiyyah.

Ibn Manzur, Muhammad ibn Mukarram (1426 AH). Lisan al-‘Arab. Beirut: Dar Sadir.

Javadi Amoli, Abdullah (1401 Sh). Tafsir-e Tasnim. Qom: Isra’.

Johnston, Sarah Iles (1397 Sh). Din-ha-ye Donya-ye Bastan [Religions of the Ancient World]. Translated by Javad Firouzi. Tehran: Tamaddon-e Elmi.

K. Flinn, Frank(2007). Encyclopedia of Catholicism, Facts on File, New York.

Kaf‘ami, Ibrahim ibn Ali (1405 Sh). Al-Misbah. Qom: Dar al-Radi.

Keshavarz, Reza, & Delbari, Seyed Mehdi (1399 Sh). A Study of the Cultural and Social Impacts of the Pilgrimage of Imam Reza (A.S.) on the Cultural Exchange and Promotion of Muslim Communities. Razavi Culture, 5(18), 37–62.

Khan-Mohammadi, Karim, & Osna‘sharan, Neda (1401 Sh). A Phenomenological Study of Women's Pilgrimage: A Case Study of Imamzadeh Mohsen ibn Musa ibn Ja‘far (A.S.). Razavi Culture, 8(32), 9–36.

Kharestani, Isma‘il, & Seyfi, Fatemeh (1400 Sh). Obstacles and Strategies for Strengthening the Family Institution from the Perspective of Razavi Conduct and Teachings. Razavi Culture, 2(7), 107–144.

Khaz‘ali, Ensieh, & Ansari-Nia, Zari (1399 Sh). Discourse Analysis of Religions in the Debate of Imam Reza(A.S.) with Christian and Jewish Scholars. Razavi Culture, 5(19), 73–104.

King, Winston (1375 Sh). Article on "Religion." In: Ketab-e Din-Pazhuhi [The Book of Religious Studies]. Translated by Baha’ al-Din Khorramshahi. Tehran: Elmi va Farhangi Publications.

Kufi, Muhammad ibn Sulayman (1412 AH). Manaqib al-Imam Amir al-Mu’minin (A.S.). Qom: Majma‘ Ihya’ al-Thaqafah al-Islamiyyah.

Kulayni, Muhammad ibn Ya‘qub (1363 Sh). Al-Kafi. Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah.

Leirvik, Oddbjørn(2010). Images of Jesus Christ in Islam, 2nd Edition, London, Bloomsbury Publishing.

Masson, Denise (1386 Sh). Qur’an va Ketab-e Moqaddas: Darunmayeh-ha-ye Moshtarak [The Qur’an and the Bible: Common Themes]. Tehran: Suhrawardi.

McGrath, Alister (1392 Sh). Darsnameh-ye Ilahiyyat-e Masihi [Christian Theology: An Introduction]. Translated by Behrouz Haddadi. Qom: Center for the Study and Research of Religions and Denominations.

Mitch, Curtis(2010) Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament, San Francisco: Ignatius Press.

Mohammadi, Bahram, et al. (1381 Sh). Da’irat al-Ma‘arif-e Ketab-e Moqaddas [Encyclopedia of the Bible]. Tehran: Sorkhdar.

Mohammadzadeh, Seyed Nader (1388 Sh). Witness and Theosis in Eastern Christian Mysticism. Pazhuhesh-nameh-ye Adyan [Journal of Religious Studies], 3(5), 67–90.

Molland, Einar (1381 Sh). Jahan-e Masihiyyat [Christendom]. Translated by Mohammad Bagher Ansari and Masih Mohajeri. Tehran: Amir Kabir.

Mustafavi, Hasan (1385 Sh). Al-Tahqiq fi Kalimat al-Qur’an [An Inquiry into the Words of the Qur’an]. Tehran: Allameh Mustafavi.

Otto, Rudolf (1380 Sh). Mafhum-e Amr-e Qudsi [The Idea of the Holy]. Translated by Homayoun Hemmati. Tehran: Naqsh-e Jahan.

Rafsanjani Moghaddam, Mostafa, et al. (1399 Sh). Educational Models and Criteria and the Continuity of the Transcendent Family in Razavi Culture. Razavi Culture, 4(14), 145–162.

Rahimi, Morteza (1400 Sh). The Role of Lawful Sustenance in the Consolidation of the Family Institution in the Conduct and Speech of Imam Reza(A.S.). Razavi Culture, 1(2), 125–153.

Rasulzadeh, Abbas (1401 Sh). Shenakht-e Kelisa-ye Ortodoks [Understanding the Orthodox Church]. Tehran: SAMT.

Reader, Ian (1400 Sh). Ziyarat [Pilgrimage]. Translated by Dariush Rezapour. Tehran: Hekmat-e Sina.

Reumann, John(2005) “Mary”, in: Encyclopedia of Religion, Vol.9, pp.249-252, USA, Macmillan.

Reza, Muhammad Rashid (1367 AH). Tafsir al-Qur’an al-Karim; al-Shahir bi Tafsir al-Manar. Beirut: Dar al-Ma‘rifah.

Saint Augustine (1398 Sh). Shahr-e Khoda [The City of God]. Translated by Hossein Tofighi. Qom: Adyan.

Saleh, Seyed Mohammad Hasan (1395 Sh). The Coptic Orthodox Church and the Earliest Reading of Christianity. Ma‘rifat, 25(11), 71–86.

Shirmohammadi, Yazdan, et al. (1401 Sh). The Role of Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Imam Reza(A.S.) in Quality of Life. Razavi Culture, 9(35), 91–122.

Tabatabai, Seyed Mohammad Hossein (1417 AH). Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Qur’an. Qom: Islamic Publications Office.

The Holy Bible (1996). (Old Translation). England: Ilam.

Vacaru, Cristian(2015). the Biblical foundations of the pilgrimage, International Letters of Social and Humanistic Sciences Online, Vol. 56, pp.58-67.

Van Voorst, Robert E. (1393 Sh). Masihiyyat az La-bala-ye Motun [Christianity Through the Texts]. Translated by Javad Baghbani and Abbas Rasulzadeh. Qom: Imam Khomeini Educational and Research Institute.

Victor W., Von Hagen(1967). Roads That Led to Rome,London, Weidenfeld & Nicolson.

Vukonic, B.(1996) Tourism and a Religion, New York: Pergamon.