In my room, I have a curtain with an image of Saint George riding a white horse and defeating a dragon. I was born in Egypt, where St. George is deeply connected to the rich history of the Coptic Orthodox Church. I was even baptized in the Church of St. George where I grew up, which makes his story feel even more personal to me.

When I was younger, I used to watch a movie about St. George’s life on my uncle’s laptop in Egypt. I remember sitting with my family and watching how he stayed strong in his faith even during persecution. Even though I was only a child at the time, it stays a core memory that shaped how I understood my faith.

When my family first arrived in the United States, everything felt new and unfamiliar. My dad bought this curtain from Egypt so I could always have a piece of home with me. It was his way of keeping me connected to my faith and to where I came from.

Now, every time I look at the curtain, it reminds me of my baptism, my family, and the strength of Coptic Christians throughout history. It connects my life in the United States to my roots in Egypt. This curtain is more than decoration, it is memory, identity, and home.

– O

Relationship:  Im/migrant who arrived as a child Im/migrant who arrived as a child