information about Monastery of Saint Simon The Tanner

The Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner: A Hidden Gem in Cairo's Mokattam Hills

One of the most remarkable and beautiful historical places of worship is the Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner, also known as the Cave Church, situated in the hilly, rocky Mokattam Hills of Cairo. Unlike the busy and crowded capital city of Egypt, this beautiful monastery does not only serve as a tranquil sacred space open to those who come in to seek the presence of God but rather possesses an exceptional view of walls sculpted into rocks forming the structure of the church. The very history of the place is almost more than ancient Coptic Christianity and the miraculous. For this reason, no matter how much in a hurry one is, a visit to this place is worth it for every religious lover wanting to explore Egypt’s religious mosaic.

A Historical Overview

The monastery is named after Saint Simon the Tanner, a Coptic saint from the 10th century who is most celebrated for a miracle during the rule of the Fatimid Caliph Al-Muizz. As per the Coptic tradition, it is said that during one of the reigns of the Copts, Al Muiz introduced a challenge to Pope Abram, the most senior leader of the Coptic Orthodoxy, to shift the Mokkatam mountain to illustrate that Christianity is true. After three days spent in prayers and fasting, Pope Abram had a vision of the virgin Mary, who asked him to look for Simon the Tanner. Simon, a simple leather craftsman who was very well connected with God, when the church gathered to pray, the mountain in question was raised, thus demonstrating the Christian religion to Al Muiz.

As a remembrance of this miracle, many centuries later, the large monastery compound in Mokattam was built in recognition of Saint Simon and the important event. At present, the monastery is also a monument to the Christian history of Egypt and the Christian context of the country.

The Location: Cairo’s Hidden Spiritual Refuge

The Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner, which is located in the city of Cairo, is paradoxically quite remote. This monastery is located within Mokattam’s garbage city, wherein the Zabbaleen, are informal garbage cleaners of the city. The monastery, however, remains an island of peace amidst the turmoil. While the path to the monastery weaves through several narrow, twisting cores and squat buildings teeming with the city’s recycling activity, the view of the Cave Church’s gigantic rock-hewn altar is simply astounding.

The churches within the monastery

The Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner encloses an ensemble of several churches, each of exceptional interest: The most well-known and the one that leaves the greatest impression is The Cave Church, or, as it is more often referred to, The Church of Saint Simon the Tanner. This colossal area is hewn from the mountainside, making it the biggest church in the entire Middle East that can hold about 20,000 people. The inside of the cave is filled with religious images, paintings, and sculptures from the Holy Bible and the life of Saint Simon, which is all aglow with bright light coming from the rock ceilings. Above the cave, there are numerous cracks through which come rays of sunlight.

Within the compound, there are other notable churches such as:

The Church of Saint Mark: A compact but equally attractive church boasting soft stone carvings and quiet, contemplative areas for prayer and meditation.
The Church of Saint Bola: This church is also hewn from the rock and is cherished by tourists for its calm and peaceful interiors.
The Church of the Virgin Mary and St. Simon the Tanner: A congregation of faithful at a smaller church, where the churchgoers convene for daily masses and spiritual services.

Every church embodies a different spirit and embraces the beauty of nature along with the depth of spiritual culture.

Architectural Marvel

The architecture of the Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner is one of its most breathtaking features. The churches and spaces are not built conventionally but are hewed out of the rock of the Mokattam Hills. The use of natural, unprocessed limestone as the wall surfaces creates a rugged environment for the interior, allowing the guests to truly appreciate the ancient history of this place. This style of building also plays a part in enhancing the quality acoustic properties of the monastery, enabling the beautiful resonation of the Coptic liturgical hymns and chants all around the huge cave.

The outside view of the church complex is also exceptional. The corrugated grounds at the periphery of the monastery are embellished with high-relief sculptures and carvings that illustrate Biblical and Coptic cultural incidents. These high-stand carvings were done by a Polish sculptor, invariably hierarchy, thereby elevating the station of the site.

The Zabbaleen Connection

Over the last century, the Zabbaleen, a well-organized group of waste collectors or garbage collectors inhabiting the Mokattam region of Cairo, have had a very positive interaction with the Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner. Most of the Zabbaleen are Copts, and like most communities in Egypt, they have suffered from troubles both social and economic. Nevertheless, a considerable part of this population has thrived in Garbage City through better integration of waste management and environmental services.

Though the purpose of the monastery transcends the physical boundary of the monastery, containing the Zabbaleen as it is, the monastery also offers hope and faith to these people. Some of the Zabbaleen assist in maintaining the monastery, and the place is important in their routine activity as a prayer and a meeting place. In addition to the monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner, a visit to the Zabbaleen's settlement reveals the extent to which their relentless work in recycling waste in Cairo went.

Religious significance and pilgrimage

The Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner is a well-known place of pilgrimage for Coptic Christians not only in Egypt but also throughout the world. Many pilgrims primarily come to pray and meditate on the life and miracles of St. Simon. They seek inner healing and divine connection. The church also conducts regular services such as mass and other religious activities besides of the memorial services for Saint Simon, who is remembered annually on the 26th day of November.

Visiting the Monastery: What to Expect

The Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner is a place where one gets peacefulness and spirituality regardless of being surrounded by a thousand activities. It is amazing to see how the busy Cairo streets transition to the ethereal, tranquil settings of the monastery. Many tourists visit the cave church and boast of seeing its height and the beauty of the cut rocks around it.

The road to Mokattam is located in Garbage City, which may appear to be an insurmountable perimeter, but it is not so bad. In addition, there are guided tours that offer intriguing information about the history of the monastery, its links to Saint Simon, and the Zabbaleen people. Bring a camera for the lovely rock scenery and the artistic woodwork that is worth pictures.

The Legacy of Saint Simon the Tanner

The legend of Saint Simon the Tanner is very much ingrained in the narration and culture of the Copts and Coptic Christianity. His occupation brings Simon the Tanner the simplicity in which he worked as a leather tanner. This simple life of faith makes him well-known but unlikely a Coptic historical figure.

Among the many interesting aspects of the story of Saint Simon is the miracle of the moving of the mountain.’ As the story goes, the Fatimid Caliph Al-Muizz was in conversation with an official on his behalf and challenged Pope Abram, of whom there is also Pope Abraham the Syrian inimically, where he demanded a sign proving Christian religion beyond any reasonable doubt. The worship of Saint Simon is believed to have undulated the Mokattam Mountain, which helped to conquer and reassure the Caliph to avoid the inhuman treatment of Hardik, the follower of the Christian religion, and the mass slaughter of the Copts in Egypt.

The occasion served to cement this saint in the religious mythology of Egypt, and in contemporary times, his narrative is revered as an embodiment of God’s power in action amongst the believers. His memory is cherished, not only within the confines of the monastery but also among many Coptic communities in Egypt and beyond.

If you're delving deeper into Cairo's remarkable religious and cultural diversity, visiting the Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner is necessary. It does not matter what your interest is in Copts, Egyptian history, or if you need to find respite somewhere—this off-the-beaten-path site is guaranteed to be rewarding. The spiritual value, unique architecture, and importance for the local Zabbaleen community make this place remarkable and unforgettable for everyone.

For tourists wishing to explore something more than the well-promoted sites like the Pyramids of Giza or the Egyptian Museum, the Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner presents a valuable opportunity to experience more of the country’s in-depth history but often overlooked cultural heritage.