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Monastery of St.Macarius the great

Facts About Monastery of St.Macarius the great

  • 05 16, 2023

Monastery of the Great St. Makarios “Abu Makkar”

St. Macarius the Great has an important place in Coptic history; he is the founder of the monastic order in the wilderness of Shehit “Wadi al-Natrun”, which played an important role in the history of monasticism, whether in Egypt or the world; as for the reason why St. Macarius was nicknamed the Great; it is to distinguish him from two other saints known by the same name; namely St. Macarius of Alexandria “or Little”; and St. Macarius, Bishop of Adco; and the three together are known in Coptic history as “the three shrines of the saints”.

As for the date of death of St. Makarios, Bishop of Adco, it is 27 Baba according to the Coptic calendar “corresponding to November 7 according to the Gregorian calendar” and the date of death of St. Makarios of Alexandria is 6 Patience according to the Coptic calendar “corresponding to May 13 according to the Gregorian calendar”.

As for the life story of St. Makarios the Great, he was born in one of the countries of Menoufia Governorate in 301 AD from pious Christian parents; the father was a pious priest named Ibrahim; while his mother was a virtuous woman named Sarah; and it happened one night that thieves attacked their house One night, the Prophet Ibrahim appeared in a dream to his father to console him for what he had lost; he told him that his woman would conceive and give birth to a righteous and good son; he asked him to name him “Makar”, which means “happy” or “blessed” in Arabic.

When he grew up, his father wanted to marry him, and when Makarios heard about this, he strongly refused; he wanted to live a life of celibacy, but at the insistence of his parents, he finally gave in; but he vowed not to have sex with her, but to continue his work of transporting the natron to the town. He continued his work of transporting natron from the mountain to the town; and one night, while he was on Mount Natron, he became tired and fell asleep; and he saw in his dream the angel of the Lord coming to him; and he told him that God would give him this mountain to build it; and you will have many spiritual sons who will be devoted to the worship of God.

He then returned to his home in Menoufia to find his wife gravely ill; she soon died while still a pure virgin. He continued to care for his elderly parents until they died in good old age. Makarios decided to vow himself to monastic life after that; then the angel of the Lord appeared to him, reminding him of the vision he had seen on Mount Natron; so he went there and built himself a cave in the place where the monastery of Baramos is currently located.

During this period, he visited the great St. Anthony, the father of all monks, in his monastery in the Red Sea twice; the first time was in 343 AD, and the second time was in 352 AD. St. Anthony testified about his holiness and purity and said about him, “Great power comes out of these hands.”

As for Abu Makkar Monastery itself, most of its monks were renowned for being very knowledgeable, so much so that it was considered the legitimate heir of the Alexandria Theological School; this is also why Abu Makkar Monastery has produced the largest number of popes of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

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Egypt Tours FAQ

Read top Egypt tours FAQs

The Monastery of St. Macarius the Great, also known as the Monastery of St. Macarius the Egyptian, is one of the most renowned Christian monastic communities in Egypt and the entire Coptic Orthodox Church. It is named after St. Macarius the Great, a revered Christian ascetic and monk who lived during the 4th century AD and is considered one of the Desert Fathers of early Christian monasticism.

Key aspects of the Monastery of St. Macarius the Great include:

   Location: The monastery is situated in the Wadi al-Natrun (Wadi El Natron) desert region in northern Egypt, about 92 kilometers (57 miles) northwest of Cairo. This area is historically significant for its association with Christian monasticism and has been home to several ancient monastic communities.

   Foundation: The Monastery of St. Macarius was founded in the 4th century, making it one of the earliest Christian monastic establishments in the region. It was founded by St. Macarius the Great himself and was later expanded and developed by subsequent generations of monks.

   Spiritual Heritage: St. Macarius the Great is known for his profound spiritual wisdom and ascetic lifestyle. His teachings and writings have had a significant impact on Christian monasticism and spirituality. The monastery preserves his legacy and continues to be a center of Christian contemplative life.

   Monastic Life: The monks of St. Macarius follow a strict monastic life that includes communal prayer, fasting, manual labor, and solitude. They strive to live a life of prayer and simplicity in the desert, following the traditions of the Desert Fathers.

   Historical Significance: The monastery has a rich history and has survived various challenges and periods of persecution over the centuries. It is considered a symbol of the endurance and resilience of the Coptic Christian community in Egypt.

   Spiritual Retreat: The Monastery of St. Macarius has long been a destination for pilgrims and seekers of spiritual wisdom. It offers a place of retreat and reflection for those seeking a deeper connection with their faith and spirituality.

   Religious Art and Architecture: The monastery features historic churches and chapels adorned with religious art and frescoes. The architecture reflects both Coptic and Byzantine influences.

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