Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Due to erosion and the building of sanitation facilities, the oldest monastery in the world, St. Antonious monastery, has been negatively affected. The monastery was finally re-opened after an eight year restoration project that cost LE 80 million. This monastery was built in the fourth century AD, and consists of a number of churches and the cave of St. Antonious. The author writes about the daily life of the monks in the monastery, which starts at three in the morning with praise and ends at five in the evening with the prayer of vespers. According to Bishop Yustus of the monastery, it enjoys international fame and is visited by about one million visitors every year.