In the Wadi Al- Natrun is a village called Al-Homra, which is about 26 km. off the desert road between Cairo and Alexandria. Before reaching Wadi Al-Natrun, the Holy Family passed by this desert village where the infant Jesus caused a well to be opened in the ground. This sweet water well, which is called unto today “Bir Mariam” or (Mary’s well), is incredibly located among lakes saturated with the natron salt. The well had been neglected for many years but is now being restored.
In their heyday in the 5th and 6th centuries, the many monasteries of the Wadi Al-Natrun sustained thousands of monks. They were established in spiritual commemoration of the Holy Family passage through the valley. For this reason this area was called ‘Wadi Sheheet’, meaning the place where hearts are weighed. Today four large monasteries near each other – and occupied with monks and hermits, have remained. These are the monasteries of St. Macarius, St. Bishoy, Al-Syrian and Al -Baramous.
 © copyright An ancient bell beside a monk’s cell at the monastery of St. Bishoy. |
 © copyright Gate of the monastery of Al-Baramous |
 © copyright Old bell in the Monastery of Makarios |
 © copyright Veneration for the relics of St. Bishoy |
 © copyright A spring of water in Al-Homra, close to Wadi Al- Natrun that was gushed forth by our Lord Jesus Christ. The well is situated in the midst of lakes saturated with the natron salt and called the well of St. Mary. ( photo: Fr. Angelos Ava Mina, scan from the book “The Holy Family in Egypt”; St. Mina Monastery Press, Cairo, 2000). |
 © copyright Bell tower of St. Bishoy |
 © copyright Part of the monks cells at the monastery of Al-Surian. |
 © copyright Old mill in monastery of Bishoy |
 © copyright Dr. Peter Grossmann Plan of the church of the Holy Virgin at the Monastery of the Surian |
 © copyright View of the monastery of Al-Surian at Wadi Al- Natrun.( photo: scan from the book “The Holy Family in Egypt”; St. Mina Monastery Press, Cairo, 2000). |