Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Cathedral of the Virgin Mary and the Archangel-Raphaël, located in Draveil in Esonne, is a religious building originally built as a Catholic chapel for the medical-pedagogical institute Marie Auxiliatrice. Close to the Hospital Group the Cheminots, it was designed to meet the spiritual and educational needs of this institution, before becoming a central place for the Coptic Orthodox community.

Today, the cathedral is part of an architectural complex including the episcopal residence, monastic buildings and spaces dedicated to diocesan gatherings, such as retreats or spiritual formations. This complex reflects the community and liturgical organization of the Coptic Orthodox Church in France, while preserving traces of its Catholic origin, as evidenced by the central niche initially occupied by a statue of Mary.

A significant event in the recent history of the cathedral is the visit of Pope Coptic Theodore II on October 13, 2019. On this occasion, he consecrated two altars and the baptismal fonts, and the statue of Mary was replaced by an icon of Christ in glory, symbolizing the definitive transition to the orthodox Coptic rite. This consecration reinforces the cathedral's role as a spiritual centre for Coptic faithful in the Paris region and in northern France.

Since November 25, 2017, Anba Marc has held the office of bishop of the Coptic Orthodox diocese of Paris and northern France, with the cathedral of Draveil as episcopal seat. Its role includes supervising the pastoral and administrative activities of the diocese, as well as representing the Coptic community in the region. The cathedral thus embodies both an architectural heritage and a contemporary religious dynamic, linked to the increasing presence of Eastern Christians in Île-de-France.

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