Saint Virgin Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church -The Hanging Church - is located in Old Cairo. The church gets it's moniker because it is built on a gate house of the old Roman Babylon fortress and its nave is suspended "hanging" over a passageway. The exact age of the church is uncertain, but it likely dates back to the late 7th century and was largely rebuilt by Pope Abraham of Alexandria in 975. This site has been associated with a church since the 3rd century.

After the Arab invasion, the seat of the Coptic papacy moved here from Alexandria. The church is still active. Parishioners come here to pray over a number of icons contained within the church and they still hold a weekly mass. Though still in use as a church, this was the one building in Coptic Cairo where photographs were allowed inside. This is fortunate since the church has a stunning interior.