information about Monastery of Saint Simon The Tanner

The Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner

Upon entering the Mokattam Mountain region and approaching the Abagya area, one is immediately drawn to a remarkable architectural marvel intricately carved into the heart of Mokattam Mountain: the Tanner Monastery. This site stands as a testament to the creative spirit of the mountain and has become a prominent destination for tourists from around the globe. The towering mountain harmonizes beautifully with the unique architectural style of St. Simon the Tanner Monastery, attracting a significant number of visitors each year.

Saint Simon

St. Simon the Tanner, a craftsman from the 10th century, is commemorated through this monastery, which is regarded as a significant attraction in Cairo. However, it is often overlooked in brief itineraries and day tours of the city. The cave church dedicated to him may not endure for much longer. Utilizing a pre-existing cave, the monastery can accommodate approximately 20,000 individuals around a central pulpit. Several caves have been transformed into distinct church spaces, collectively forming an extensive Christian complex within a city known for its waste. Each year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit this monastery.

The principal church on the site is named in honor of the Virgin Mary and St. Simon, commemorating the miraculous event of the Mokattam Mountain's opening in November 979, for which Simon the Tanner was chosen to perform.

The churches of Coptic Egypt are essential sites for cruise passengers docking at various Egyptian ports. Our Egypt shore excursions can facilitate enriching experiences in Cairo during excursions from Sokhna port, or even if your stop is at another port, we can arrange visits through Port Said shore excursions.

 Historians note that Ya’qub ibn Kulas, a Jewish minister serving under Caliph al-Mu’izz Ledin Ellah, held strong anti-Christian sentiments, while the caliph himself was well-versed in knowledge and literature. He extended an invitation to the Patriarch of the Copts to engage in a discussion regarding Jewish perspectives on religious matters, to which the patriarch responded, accompanied by Bishop Sawyros Ibn Al-Maqfa. During their dialogue, Bishop Sawyros accused the Jews of ignorance, referencing a passage from the Book of Isaiah: "The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand!" (Isaiah 1:3). This provoked Ibn Kulas, who, along with a companion, sought to counter the Christians by scrutinizing their texts. His research led him to a verse in the New Testament where Christ tells his disciples: “If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).

Ibn Kulas presented this verse to the caliph, urging him to demand that the Christians substantiate the claims made in their scripture. This proposition intrigued the caliph, who was eager to eliminate the mountain located east of Cairo. Conversely, should the Christians fail to act upon the evangelical verse, it would serve as evidence undermining the validity of their faith. Al-Mu’izz dispatched a message to the patriarch, outlining his request and warning of severe repercussions should he fail, granting him a period of three days to comply. During this time, the entire church across the nation engaged in fasting and prayer.

 The religious narrative concludes the tale by recounting the appearance of the Virgin Mary to the patriarch on the third morning. I instructed him to go outside and look for a man carrying a jar of water, who would be the chosen one to perform the miracle. Following the Virgin's directive, Simon encountered Kharaz and recounted the events. Kharaz then requested that the patriarch remain among the people on the designated day for the mountain's movement, during which he would lead the prayer while the patriarch marked the sign of the cross. This was executed as a significant earthquake transpired, causing the mountain to shift until the sun was obscured beneath it. Subsequently, Al-Kharaz fled to avoid receiving any accolades.

The construction of the Virgin Mary and St. Simon Cathedral occurred in two phases. Initially, it consisted solely of a vast limestone cave within the mountain. The second phase commenced in November 1994, coinciding with the feast of St. Simon. Fixed seating was arranged around the altar in a quarter-circle auditorium design, accommodating up to five thousand individuals, thus establishing it as the largest church within the Monastery.

Another remarkable church within the Monastery is St. Bola's Church, named in honor of St. Bola, the first Pilgrim, celebrated for his virtues. He resided in caves and solitude for seventy years, during which he never encountered another human being.

The Chapel cave was uncovered in 1986 during construction activities when a large rock fell, revealing an opening in the cave's ceiling. An intriguing incident involving this church occurred in January 1992 when it faced a fire ignited by an electrical spark. Remarkably, the image of Jesus Christ and the altar within the church remained unscathed, despite the extensive damage to the cave's interior.

The next notable site is St. Mark's Church, named in honor of St. Mark, the first evangelist, and recognized as the earliest church in Africa and Egypt. Additionally, there is St. Simon the Tanner's Hall, an impressive grotto constructed in 1979, featuring hundreds of tons of stone and reaching a height of 17 meters. The walls of this hall are embellished with exquisite carvings depicting various biblical scenes.

Furthermore, one can explore the intriguing Baron Empain Palace, situated in the bustling city of Cairo, Egypt.