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The Monastery

Historic Monastery

  • The Ancient Church
  • Church of the Virgin Mary & Pope Benjamin I
  • Church of Martyr Abaskhiron & Ancient Baptistery
  • Church of Martyr Saint George the Roman
  • Church of Anba Antonious
  • The Fort
  • Shrine of Pope Shenouda III
  • Shrine of Anba Sarabamoun
  • Martyrs' Well & Ancient Monastery Garden
  • The Ancient Mill
  • The Old Cells
  • The Catacomb
  • The Monks' Lending Library

Modern Monastery

  • The Cathedral
  • Church of Saints Maximus & Domadius
  • Church of the Virgin Mary & Saint Mark
  • Church of Martyr Anba Sarapamon
  • The Papal Residence
  • The Baptistery
  • Bethlehem House
  • The Guest House
  • The Retreat House
  • The Priests' House
  • The Current Monks' Cells
  • The Monastery Services Building

Monastic Life

  • Patriarchs, Metropolitans & Bishops
  • Heads of the Monastery
  • The Departed Monks
  • Monks in Service

Discover the Monastery's History

A spiritual and historical journey inside one of the oldest monasteries of Wadi El Natrun.

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St. Bishoy Monastery
St. BishoyMonastery

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  • Wadi El Natrun, Beheira Governorate, Egypt
  • +20 100 000 0000
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Church of the Virgin Mary & Pope Benjamin I
Church of the Virgin Mary & Pope Benjamin I

St. Bishoy Monastery

Church of the Virgin Mary & Pope Benjamin I

A historic church dating to the fourteenth century, containing wall paintings from the eleventh century and an iconostasis from 1773 AD.

Church of the Virgin Mary & Pope Benjamin I

Church of the Virgin Mary & Pope Benjamin — St. Bishoy Monastery, Wadi El Natrun

Church of the Virgin Mary & Pope Benjamin I

It was built in the corner formed by the northern sanctuary wall and the eastern wall of the northern narthex.

The sanctuary contains one altar with remnants of frescoes.

The nave ceiling is covered by a barrel vault, while the sanctuary ceiling is covered by a dome resting on squinches.

The church dates to the fourteenth century, though it existed earlier as an inseparable part of the altars of the main Ancient Church of Anba Bishoy.

Remnants of wall paintings on the eastern side date back to the eleventh century.

The iconostasis dates to the eighteenth century (1773 AD — 1489 AM).

14th Century AD

DATING

11th Century AD

WALL PAINTINGS

1773 AD

ICONOSTASIS

Church & Wall Paintings Album

Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4
Photo 5
Photo 6

Continue Exploring the Monastery

Ancient Church

Ancient Church

One of the most beautiful and largest historic churches in Wadi El Natrun — foundations from the 4th century AD.

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Shrine of Pope Shenouda III

Shrine of Pope Shenouda III

Located on the seaward side of the historic Church. Pope Shenouda III requested to be buried there.

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Shrine of Anba Sarabamoun

Shrine of Anba Sarabamoun

Adjacent to the Shrine of Pope Shenouda III. Contains the body of Anba Sarabamoun and his priestly clothes.

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The Fort

The Fort

Built by King Zeno in the 5th century AD. A refuge for monks during Berber attacks with a drawbridge pulley system.

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