Coptic heritage · Asyut
Deir el-Muharraq
The Monastery of the Virgin Mary at Mount Koskam, a Coptic Orthodox monastic complex near El Qusiya in Asyut Governorate.
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The story
Deir el-Muharraq is a monastic complex of the Coptic Orthodox Church. It is formally known as the Monastery of the Virgin Mary at Mount Koskam, and also as the Virgin Mary Monastery and the Mount Koskam Monastery. It lies about 12 kilometres from the town of El Qusiya in Asyut Governorate. According to Coptic tradition, the Holy Family stayed at this spot for about six months during their flight into Egypt, and the monastery's ancient church stands where the angel appeared to Joseph.
Good to know
- The name el-Muharraq literally means "burned monastery".
- The monastery is about 12 km from the town of El Qusiya.