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DAYR AL-MUHARRAQ

The Monastery of the Holy Virgin (Dayr al-Muharraq) is situated near the towns of al-Qusiyah and Gabal Qusqam in the present governorate of Assiut. According to medieval sources, this area is believed to be the Holy Family’s southernmost stop, where they dwelt for six months at the end of their flight into Egypt.

The main source for this tradition is The Vision of Theophilus, which is attributed, very probably in a later date, to Patriarch Theophilus (385-412). The text describes Dayr al-Muharraq as the “holy mountain” and compared it to Mount Sinai and the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

The History of the Churches and Monasteries of Egypt provides a tradition that Christ, accompanied by his mother and the Apostles, consecrated the church in which the Holy Family dwelt for six months. Each year on 15 November the monks of Dayr al-Muharraq commemorate Christ’s post-Resurrection visit to Qusqam as a fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 19:19, “On that day there will be an altar in the center of the land of Egypt.” However, the date of the foundation of Dayr al-Muharraq and its early history are not known.

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The History of the Churches and Monasteries of Egypt (early 13th century) refers to the restoration of the monastery’s keep. Patriarchs Gabriel IV (1370-1378), Matthew I (1378-1409), Matthew II (1452-1465), and John XIII (1484-1524) had been chosen from among the monks of al-Muharraq. In medieval times, Ethiopian monks stopped at al-Muharraq on their way to Jerusalem.

The monastery is one of the most popular pilgrimage centers in Egypt, which is visited yearly in June by hundreds of thousands of the faithful. There is a theological seminary at Dayr al-Muharraq that is affiliated with the Clerical College of Cairo.

The reused columns were placed upside down. RIGHT: the well on the ground floor of the keep.
The reused columns were placed upside down. RIGHT: the well on the ground floor of the keep.

Fig. 26.4. Qusqam, marble iconostasis of St. George Church. Photograph by Fr. Maximous al-Muharraqi.
Fig. 26.4. Qusqam, marble iconostasis of St. George Church. Photograph by Fr. Maximous al-Muharraqi.

The Ark or Throne of the Chalice (Kursi al-kas). During liturgy, the prepared chalice is put in the Ark until Holy Communion. The icon painter A[na]stasi al-Qudsi al-Rumi decorated the Ark with The Last Supper (photograph), the Virgin and Child and the archangels Michael and Gabriel (dated am 1581/ad 1864-1865).
The Ark or Throne of the Chalice (Kursi al-kas). During liturgy, the prepared chalice is put in the Ark until Holy Communion. The icon painter A[na]stasi al-Qudsi al-Rumi decorated the Ark with The Last Supper (photograph), the Virgin and Child and the archangels Michael and Gabriel (dated am 1581/ad 1864-1865).

Fig. 26.6. Qusqam, selected collection of antiquities. Photographs by Fr. Maximous al-Muharraqi.
Fig. 26.6. Qusqam, selected collection of antiquities. Photographs by Fr. Maximous al-Muharraqi.

The main gate of the monastery.
The main gate of the monastery.

Fig. 26.3. Qusqam, selected ornamental carvings on the outside walls of the keep. Photographs by Fr. Maximous al-Muharraqi.
Fig. 26.3. Qusqam, selected ornamental carvings on the outside walls of the keep. Photographs by Fr. Maximous al-Muharraqi.

The interior of the keep with the Chapel of the Archangel Michael with a wooden lectern.
The interior of the keep with the Chapel of the Archangel Michael with a wooden lectern.

This altar stone of the main altar was previously used as a tombstone for a man named Colluthos in the year 746.
This altar stone of the main altar was previously used as a tombstone for a man named Colluthos in the year 746.

Fig. 26.1. Qusqam, the archaeological area. Photograph by Fr. Maximous al-Muharraqi.
Fig. 26.1. Qusqam, the archaeological area. Photograph by Fr. Maximous al-Muharraqi.

The ancient Church of the Virgin Mary, the central altar room.
The ancient Church of the Virgin Mary, the central altar room.

The ancient Church of the Virgin Mary, view from the nave to the sanctuary. According to tradition, Christ consecrated the house ivhere the family lived during their stay in Egypt as a church, the first church in Egypt. The present building most probably dates to the twelfth century.
The ancient Church of the Virgin Mary, view from the nave to the sanctuary. According to tradition, Christ consecrated the house ivhere the family lived during their stay in Egypt as a church, the first church in Egypt. The present building most probably dates to the twelfth century.

Fig. 26.5. Anba Abram, bishop of the Fayoum and Giza (left); St. Hegomen Mikhail al-Buhairi al-Muharraqi (right). Photograph by Fr. Maximous al-Muharraqi.
Fig. 26.5. Anba Abram, bishop of the Fayoum and Giza (left); St. Hegomen Mikhail al-Buhairi al-Muharraqi (right). Photograph by Fr. Maximous al-Muharraqi.

The Quarry Church of the Virgin.
The Quarry Church of the Virgin.

Fig. 26.2. Qusqam, two iconostases in the ancient Church of the Holy Virgin Mary. Photograph by Fr. Maximous al-Muharraqi.
Fig. 26.2. Qusqam, two iconostases in the ancient Church of the Holy Virgin Mary. Photograph by Fr. Maximous al-Muharraqi.

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GAWDAT GABRA

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