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