Wadi Al Natroun Monastries

Overview

Get a glimpse of the Christian ancient Egypt through a tour at Wadi El-Natrun Orthodox Monastery, the origin of Christian Monasticism. During the trip you’ll be visiting the four surviving monasteries, starting by Deir Al Baramus

Itinerary

• 1

  The Holy Family

  Pickup at your hotel in Alexandria, heading to Wadi El Natrun, the origin of Christian Monasticism. The valley contains four surviving monasteries in the modern time. You’ll start with with Deir Al Baramus moving to Deir Anba Bishoi whose body is still in the monastery, Deir El Suryani, and Deir Saint Macarius Monastery in Wadi el-Natrun. It is one of four historical monasteries in the Natrun desert, where the Holy Family is reckoned to have been during their trip into Egypt

• 2

  The Monastry is home to 140 monks

  The monastery is home to 140 monks, and monastic life requires them to worship God and work. This is why they have been farming the area surrounding the monastery. There are different crops cultivated, like mangoes, bananas, dates and olives. There are also fish, cows and poultry. As for the monastery, it has three ancient churches. The first is called Macarius the Great Church. The middle sanctuary in it dates back to the 7th century A.D., and it has a side sanctuary that goes back to the 9th century A.D.

• 3

  John the Baptist and Prophet Elisha Remains

  This church is home to the remains of two messengers, not only in Christianity, but in all religions. The first is John the Baptist, whom Muslims call Yahya son of Zakaria, and Elisha, mentioned in the Quran as Al-Yasa. The church keeps their remains in metal tubes. Their remains were once in Jerusalem, but were transferred to the monastery in the 10th century A.D. The reverend also said that the church is home to the remains of the three “Macariuses”, that is, three saints named Maqqar. They are Macarius the Great, the founder of monasticism in the 4th century; Macarius of Alexandria, a 5th century saint; and Macarius the Bishop

• 4

  The 49 monks

  The church was founded to commemorate 49 monks who were killed as they defended the church from Berber raids. The reverend said, “When they raided the monastery, some monks escaped, and others took shelter in the fort. However, these monks faced up to death bravely.” He also said that one of the visitors saw a vision where angels were placing flower garlands on their bodies. This church was built by the end of the 18th century, though they were killed in the 5th century. Back to the Hotel in Alexandria

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