Paromeos Monastery, Coptic Orthodox monastery in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt.
Paromeos Monastery is a Coptic Orthodox monastery in Wadi El Natrun, situated about 7 meters below sea level and representing the northernmost monastic settlement of the region. Defensive walls measuring between 10 and 11 meters high and 2 meters thick surround the entire complex to protect the inner compounds.
Founded in 335 AD by Saint Macarius the Great, the monastery took its name from Saints Maximus and Domitius, sons of Roman Emperor Valentinian I. These early religious communities shaped the monastic traditions that defined the region for centuries.
The main church here honors the Virgin Mary and holds relics of Saint Moses the Black, a figure deeply revered in the Coptic tradition and a focal point for pilgrims.
The monastery offers a guesthouse, clinic, and conference center for visitors, along with paved roads that make navigation straightforward. These facilities help both pilgrims and tourists move comfortably through the grounds and spend time here without difficulty.
The monastery endured repeated attacks from Berbers and Bedouins, prompting Pope Shenouda I to build towering defensive walls around the entire complex during the 9th century. These fortifications remain visible today and reflect how monks adapted their spaces for survival.
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