The Monastery of St Macarius

 the Monastery of St. Macarius the Great (also known as Deir Abu Maqar):

1. Historical Background:

   • The Monastery of St. Macarius is the southernmost monastery in Wadi al-Natrun, Egypt.
   • It can be seen to the west from the Cairo-Alexandria desert highway, approximately 129 kilometers from Cairo or 86 kilometers from Alexandria.
   • This monastery has a rich history and is closely associated with the life of Saint Macarius the Great (300-390 CE).
   • Saint Macarius was the son of a village priest. He avoided marriage due to his high esteem for virginity.
   • Guided by an angel, he settled in the inner desert, where no ascetics had previously lived.
   • His first settlement near the present Dayr al-Baramus marked the beginning of the monastery.
   • The monastery followed a lauritic system, where monks lived alone during weekdays and gathered for worship and meals on Saturdays and Sundays.
   • After Saint Macarius’s death, Saint Paphnutius became his successor.
   • The monastery faced challenges, including Berber invasions during the fifth century.
   • In the sixth century, it became the official residence of Coptic patriarchs when they were no longer allowed to reside in Alexandria.
   • The seventh century saw the rebuilding of the monasteries after another Berber attack.
   • The ninth century marked the expansion of the Laura of Saint Macarius to include a thousand cells.

2. Modern Community:

   • Today, around 120 monks, many of whom are university graduates, form the monastic community at Deir Abu Maqar.

In summary, the Monastery of St. Macarius the Great stands as a testament to centuries of Christian monasticism, resilience, and devotion in the heart of Egypt’s desert landscape. 🙏🇪🇬12.