The Monastery of the Holy Virgin

Christian monasticism was founded towards the end of the third century in the Eastern Desert of Egypt by St. Anthony The Great (A. D. 250-355). In 330 one of his disciples, St. Macarius The Great (300-390) established ascetic life in the Natrun Valley, assisted by St. Ammon, another disciple of St. Anthony.

At first monks lived in separate Hermitages or cells, which later increased in number. Later on ”keeps” of simple forts, into which the monks took refuge when attacked, were constructed. A monastery assumed its present shape when high walls were built around a number of cells to secure the safety of monks.

The Monastery with which this publication is concerned was established in the fourth century. In the fifth century, it was dedicated to ”Theotokos” i.e. God’s Mother. After the destruction of the Monastery of St. John Kame different things were moved to this Monastery, among which St. Kames relics and sepulchral stone that are existent today. Probably for this reason, it assumed the name ”The Monastery of the Holy Virgin and St. John Kame”.

    Since its early monastic history, Natrun Valley attracted Christian devotees from different lands such as Italy, Greece, Gaul, Armenia, Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Persia Ethiopia. Some monasteries were called after these foreign groups which dwelt in them together with Egyptians. Deir Baramous (derived from the Coptic word Romeos = Roman) was given this name in honour of Maximus and Domitius, the Emperor Valentinus’ two royal sons who dwelt as monks in this spot. Remains of’ two other monasteries, namely the ”Armenian” and the ”Ethiopian” convents can still be seen in Wadi’n Natrun. At. Deir El Sourian, Syrian monks lived with Copts from about the eighth to the sixteenth century. ”’ Hence, the Monastery’s name has been ”The Monastery of The Holy Virgin and St. John Kame, called Deir El Sourian”.