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World's oldest Christian monastery gets a remodel
Egypt´s top archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass announced the completion of a major remodel for one of Egypt´s most important archaeological treasures. The Monastery of St. Anthony is believed to be the oldest surviving Christian monastery in the world, having been built to house the grave of one of the founders of monasticism, St. Anthony, when he died in the year 356. A $14.5 million restoration has fixed many of the monastery's buildings, including the original fourth century church. Workers also installed a modern sewage system to deal with the estimated million visitors a year who come to worship and to admire the colorful paintings in the churches. These paintings have been painstakingly restored. St. Anthony's Monastery is one of many interesting sights to see in Egypt besides the Pyramids and the Sphinx.
The monastery is nestled deep in the Red Sea Mountains in Egypt's Eastern Desert. St. Anthony lived in a cave near here and started to attract followers during his lifetime. Unable to shake these eager followers, he established a rule whereby they could live together but still have an ascetic life. His ideas on monasticism were hugely influential on early Christianity. St. Anthony is one the most important saints for Coptic Christians, who make up ten percent of Egypt's population.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John Gruben Feb 6th 2010 11:48AM
Kudos to the government of the Arab Republic of Egypt for helping to preserve this important historical and religious site. Hopefully, it will serve as a bridge for ongoing Christian-Islamic dialogue.
John Gruben Feb 6th 2010 10:10AM
Kudos to the Arab Republic of Egypt for helping to preserve this important historical and religious site. Hopefully, it will serve as a bridge for ongoing Christian-Islamic dialogue.
Kim Feb 8th 2010 1:00AM
Kudo's to the intelligent comment. So rare these days!
Mozelle Feb 6th 2010 2:07PM
Good god, what people won't spend money on. We have a real problem with global warming and they spend billions on what? Go to macramemadam.com and help a real cause. Clean air..NASA research on indoor plants found that living plants are so efficient at absorbing contaminants in the air that some will be launched into space as part of the biological life support system aboard future orbiting space stations.
Mary Margaret Feb 6th 2010 2:19PM
Fabulous endeavor for the Arab Republic of Egypt! USA could learn a thing or two about preserving antiquities. Europe's biggest buildings are churches, American's biggest buildings are banks....does that tell you where our values lie?
Brian Warner Feb 6th 2010 2:41PM
Insane claim, but it makes a good sound bite, doesn't it? Go do some research before you make blanket statements. Your claims indicate your biases more than America's values. Not sure if you are a troll or if you really believe these things.
Mary Margaret Feb 6th 2010 2:40PM
Mozelle, Go hug a tree and a Democrat!
Morningstar Feb 6th 2010 2:44PM
TO HEIMEIGUI 1,Keep Your Sexy Comments To Your Self.We Do Not Want To Hear About It
This Is About A Monastery.Thank You.
Elizabeth Feb 6th 2010 3:05PM
To: Blogsmith Customer Service, Thank You For Taking Out (Off) Heimeigui1's Comment.
Sean McLachlan Feb 6th 2010 3:06PM
No problem. We hate spam as much as you do. Sometimes it slips by us, but we delete it as soon as we see it or someone brings it to our attention.
jimbarry1946 Feb 6th 2010 5:18PM
With this publicity, how long before someone blows it up for Allah.
Steve Feb 7th 2010 2:25AM
It is wonderful that the Egyptian government decided to take on this important project which highlights the accomplishments and continuing infuence of a very important, positive and peace-loving Egyptian person who has made a life giving contribution to history and society. St. Anthony of the desert, though many are unaware of it, is regarded as the founder of the monastic movement, and as a result is a person whose life and teachings have had a subtle influence on virtually every person in the western world.
Besides which, this lets you know there's alot to see and experience in the very rich and diverse in Egyptian culture.
Mary Margaret Feb 7th 2010 2:25AM
Oh, Brian Brian Brian. I have traveled extensively here in our 48 contiguous states and throughout Europe, therefore I qualify by knowing my information and developing my opinion through experience. I am an American and very proud of it, but I am not a rude or obnoxious American when visiting other countries. I have a Master of Arts in English Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition. I have been a university adjunct professor and taught high school with a State of California "clear, single-subject credential", tutored students taking the LSAT, and edited Masters Thesis. How sad for you to call me a "troll." Throwing out labels demonstrates a lack of education and vocabulary.
phil Feb 7th 2010 4:38PM
Way to go, Mary Margaret!!!
Leo Feb 7th 2010 11:18PM
Mary, Mary, Mary, you are pathetic. You should have stopped at the end of your first statement in your first e-mail. You claim to have traveled extensively, yet you have only been to parts of two continents aparently. You claim that the biggest buildings in Europe are churches and the biggest American buildings are banks. Wrong. Ever looked at some of the museums, palaces, government buildings, antiquities, office buildings, factories in France, Germany, England, etc. There is a brewery in Ireland bigger than most churches in the world. Have you ever seen the Empire State building or Willis Towers. How about the Pentagon? (Admittedly, when I was last there, there were a few branch banks and a credit union or so in the Pentagon, but you would not consider that building to be a bank. Or would you?) Then go to areas outside major cities and see factories, grain elevators, warehouses, etc which are huge. You claimed to be educated, but your statements undercut that assertion. Brian was wrong to call you what he did, but you sunk to his level very quickly. Apparently your hide is like a piece of tissue paper. It tears easily. It looks like in your world everthing has to be political and if it is not Mary's politics its wrong or, at least to be denigrated. Be careful about your back, Mary. More and more of the Christian right is beoming very concerned about the environment. Could they be tree huggers? You may call yourself American, but that is a little self-indulgent on your part.
Phil, you need to chew on this as well.
trepalium858@aol.com Feb 7th 2010 6:30PM
i think that is so cool that they are renovating this very venerable place very very cool i wish they would show this process on hgtv i would be very interested in watching this very cool indeed
Mallenroh Feb 7th 2010 11:28PM
I've always loved history and I've followed Dr. Hawass' work since he was nothing more then an egyptologist digging in the sand and I have to say many kudos to him and the Egyptian government, the Egyptians recognize the importance on history and how it's shaped our modern culture and they've spent extensive time, money, and man power in preserving their history b/c, despite the reputation of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in Iraq being the "Cradle of Civilization", the Egyptian's have endured nearly as long and their history has reached out, spreading by sea and land trade routes to touch the rest of the world in some way, shape, or form, they're work in preservation and restoration has re-opened many chapters in the WORLD'S history, not just their own
bob Feb 8th 2010 12:06AM
Europe's big churches were built by profiteers, The Holy Romans...
a nice guy Mar 3rd 2011 10:47AM
well it is normal to renovate such a old treasure of people.unfortunately most of you guys you mix things up, politic with money and churches, please read all of you who really was that man ST. ANTHONY and then you say something....most of you have no idea who you are and where you coming from,just throw your words here as a bullshit......if you would read the root of this St. Anthony and all that man is meaning to us, even nowadays we could make this earth a place of peace between people and respect.........DON'T BE SO EVIL, look in your hearts with beauty and peace and try to see life different don't just watch damn TV and listen some bastards who miss use you and manipulate and make you some poor slaves of their politic or greed to make money trying to sell and convince you and drive you as some stupid animals. Wake up and look different, open your eyes to beauty not just dark and evil..........try to see different, open your sight and understand more instead to stay locked in your daily routine life