The Monastery of St Paul's Monastery is located in the Eastern Desert near the foot of the Red Sea Hills. The monastery is a living and functioning entity, with an intimacy that the more formal Monastery of St Anthony lacks. Past heritage and modern monastic work are both here, and each little corner has something fascinating to see. I wish I could remember the name of the monk who escorted us around the monastery in 2006, because he was an excellent guide, informed and interested in involving visitors in his subject matter.
The Monastery of St Paul was created in the name of St Paul the Anchronite in the 5th Century, a considerable period after Paul's death (he was born in c.228 A.D.) and is said to have been founded over a cave in which he lived for a period of 80 years. Legend has it that he lived in the cave until his death at the age of 113, surviving on half of a loaf of bread each day, which a raven brought for him. St Antony is said to have heard of Paul's hermit existance and set out to find him. When they met, the raven brough a whole loaf for the two men to share.
The Monastery of St Paul was created in the name of St Paul the Anchronite in the 5th Century, a considerable period after Paul's death (he was born in c.228 A.D.) and is said to have been founded over a cave in which he lived for a period of 80 years. Legend has it that he lived in the cave until his death at the age of 113, surviving on half of a loaf of bread each day, which a raven brought for him. St Antony is said to have heard of Paul's hermit existance and set out to find him. When they met, the raven brough a whole loaf for the two men to share.
No comments:
Post a Comment