History
A visit to the monasteries of Wadi Natrun reveals clues to the survival of the Coptic Church, for the desert has long been the protector of the faith. It was there that thousands of Christians retreated to escape Roman persecution in the 4th century. They lived in caves, or built monasteries, and developed the monastic tradition that was later adopted by European Christians.
The focal point of the monasteries was the church, around which were built a well, storerooms, a dining hall, kitchen, bakery and the monks’ cells. These isolated, unprotected communities were fortified after destructive raids in 817 by Arab tribes on their way to conquer North Africa. Of the 60 monasteries once scattered over the valley, only four remain.
The religious life they helped protect is now thriving. The Coptic pope is still chosen from among the Wadi Natrun monks, and monasticism is experiencing a revival, with young professional Copts once again donning robes and embroidered hoods to live within these ancient walls in the desert. Even today, some monks still retreat into caves in the surrounding countryside for weeks and months at a time.
