Religious, Spiritual sights in Wadi Natrun
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Deir Abu Makar (Makarios)
Nearly 20km southeast of Deir Anba Bishoi, Deir Abu Makar (Makarios) was founded around the cell where St Makarios spent his last 20 or so years. Structurally, it suffered more than other monasteries at the hands of raiding Bedouin, but it is famous as most of the Coptic popes over the centuries have been selected from among its monks. It is the last resting place of many of those popes and also contains the remains of the 49 Martyrs, a group of monks killed by Bedouin in 444. Deir Abu Makar is understandably the most secluded of the monasteries, so permission to visit must be requested in advance by phoning 048 260 0471 or 048 260 0472.
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Deir Anba Bishoi
St Bishoi founded two monasteries in Wadi Natrun: this one bears his name. Deir Anba Bishoi is built around a church that contains the saint’s body, said to be perfectly preserved in its sealed, tubelike container. Each year on 17 July, the tube is carried in procession around the church. According to the monks, the bearers clearly feel the weight of a whole body. The church also contains the cell where St Bishoi tied his hair to the ceiling to stop himself sleeping during prayers.
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Deir el-Baramouse
Until recently, Deir el-Baramouse was the most isolated of the Wadi Natrun monasteries. These days more than 100 monks live here, and there are now six modern churches and a restored medieval fortress (not open to the public) within its compound. There are also remnants of 13th-century wall frescoes in its oldest church, the Church of the Virgin Mary.
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