The Manuscript Collection of Deir al-Surian in Wadi al-Natrun

Abstract

A monastery that stands out among all others in Egypt, in that it shows us the presence of Syrian Orthodox monks and their cohabitation with the Coptic Orthodox monks over several centuries, is Theotokos St. Bishoi, or Virgin Mary surnamed “Deir al-Surian.” It is one of the earliest Coptic Monasteries situated northwest of Cairo in the valley called “Wadi al-Natrun.” This valley often referred to as the desert of Scetis, was an important centre of Coptic monasticism and celebrated haven of ascetics from the earliest times. Most of the ancient Christian records led us to believe that the Nitrian valley was home to the desert fathers as early as the mid-second century when a certain Fronted hermit retired there with seventy brothers.