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Westminster Interfaith Newsletter
Issue 66 – May 2010
Egypt restores monastery as a symbol of religious harmony
Egypt's chief archaeologist recently unveiled an extensive renovation of the oldest monastery in the world, touting the work at the 1,600 year-old-site as a symbol of peaceful coexistence between the country's Muslims and Christians. It's the message Egypt's government has been emphasizing ever since a lethal shooting at a church in January. "The announcement we are making today shows to the world how we are keen to restore the monuments of our past, whether Coptic, Jewish or Muslims," he said, referring to the dominant Christian sect in Egypt. "The incident in Upper Egypt can happen between two brothers," he said when asked if there was any connection between the Jan. 6 shooting and the timing of his announcement at the monastery. "I want everyone to forget this incident."
Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities spent eight years and $14.5 million dollars to carry out a comprehensive restoration and conservation of the ancient monastery in this remote spot in the desert mountains near the Red Sea, where, at the end of the 3rd century, St. Anthony took up a residence in a cave, with little more than a spring and some palm trees to sustain him. When he died, in 356 C.E. his followers built cells and created the world's first Christian monastery, which now houses 120 monks, the burial place of four Saints, and ancient church paintings dating to the Middle Ages.
Monks say the restoration and discovery of the cells of the monks sheds important light on the early years of monasticism and bolsters the country's long monastic tradition. "For the monastery itself, this is very important, we have found a missing part of our history with this restoration, for there is nothing written about the beginning of the monastery," said Father Maximus, who oversaw the renovation.
In the government-sponsored project, workers renovated the fortress-like ancient wall surrounding the monastery, several outbuildings, and its two main churches – the 15th century Church of the Apostles and the 4th century Church of St. Anthony. A modern sewage system was also installed for the monastery, which receives a million visitors every year. "The monastery has become a very important retreat for spiritual relaxation for visitors, especially when they visit the cave of St. Anthony," he said.
Adapted from an article by Paul Schemm in Mail Times
