Monastery of the Virgin Mary - The Syriacs (Syrian Monastery)
دير العذراء - السريان
Monastery of the Virgin Mary - The Syriacs (Deir El-Suryan)
The monastery is located in Wadi El Natrun, west of the Nile Delta in northern Egypt, and is the smallest of the four active monasteries in the area. It was named after the Syrian monks who resided there over the centuries, and it is dedicated to the worship of the Virgin Mary.
History and Establishment
The monastery was built in the 6th century CE and contains the main church, which is decorated with magnificent murals and a dome depicting scenes from the Bible, including the Nativity of Christ. In 1988 CE, a small fire led to the discovery of a rare mural dating back to 950 CE, depicting the celebration of the Virgin Mary.
Architectural Style and Decorations
The monastery is distinguished by the doors of its sanctuary, which are adorned with images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and other saints. In addition, the interior murals reflect ancient Coptic art and Syrian influences in the monastic architecture.
Manuscripts and Cultural Treasures
In the 19th century, Europeans discovered a rare collection of Syriac manuscripts in the monastery's library. These include the oldest Greek texts of Aristotle, Euclid, and Hippocrates, which are currently preserved in the Vatican Library and other international institutions.