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El Muharraq Monastery. The monastery is within the Coptic Orthodox Church of the Diocese of Alexandria and is home to about 100 monks of Koinonia or community monasticism.
The stone fortress on Mount Koskam at Muharraq Monastery was built in the 6th or 7th century. There is a 12th century pulpit in the fortress chapel, dating back to when the fortress was first renovated.
The library of the monastery consists of two parts: a library and archives of ancient Coptic manuscripts and a modern research and reading library.
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The name “Al-Muharraq”
The original in the naming of Al-Muharraq monastery, is that it was near to an area, where harmful plants and weeds are burned, and so the whole region was known as “burnt” and with time, it was settled for the Holy Virgin Mary Monastery – at Al-Muharraq (the burnt) area.
The name “Qosqam”
An ancient name (dates back to the Pharaohs era), of the whole desert region, where the monastery is located. It consists of two sections:
1. Qos: “Tomb”
2. Qam: The public meaning is: esparto grass (alpha grass), used in making burial shrouds. Where’s the religious meaning is: infinity – forever.
El Muharraq Monastery is also known as the Monastery of the Virgin Mary. One of the oldest monasteries in the world, located in the center of Egypt.The large Coptic monastery is located at the western foot of Mount Kaskam, 12 km west of the town of Quseya, north of Assiut. The monastery is believed to have been founded on the place where the Holy Family stayed and built around the house where the Holy Family took refuge for 6 months and 10 days during the exodus to Egypt - as evidenced by an inscription in Hebrew on a slab of rock. This monastery is called the "Second Bethlehem". The entire area of the monastery and the surrounding areas are especially honored by Coptic Christians. El Muharraq Monastery is considered one of the most important places. In ancient times, many pilgrims from different areas came to the monastery church and the place was well known for signs, miracles and healing of many diseases.
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