makarios of egypt founded the monastery in the fourth century. america early years has been here for twenty two years before becoming a monk he studied engineering and architecture this is the fourth function was to save the monks life of the berbers. this windows are new the only and original entrance was on the second floor they were going up his in this third here then going in by this road bridge then they pulled the bridge like this that no one can follow them the walls are very thick about two meters thick they had a water well inside head start to crops enough for months had m.l. a big chapel on the third floor all of their needs that they keep inside the fort this building is from the twelfth century but it's replaced another one was from the fifth century. the monastic cells are steeped in history. in mayan themes sixty lines and the monks number and this monastery was six months just six months now we are one hundred forty the number increased in these last four to nine years incredibly from six to one hundred forty and the same rate of

not far from the monastery of saint makarios another coptic community is staking out new ground. in. founded twenty years ago the ana for a retreat is a place where lay people and clerics of all faiths can come together in contemplation and prayer the retreat also serves as a training ground for social engagement. to end a communal religious services are held according to coptic tradition i i i i i here to the service conducted after easter features a celebrate torrie procession through the church bishop thomas who founded the retreat is still its driving force the. i tell you that we are like a train a train that has very good roads. and this roots is very strong we are very much coptic orthodox church we are very much into the more gnostic tradition which we feel very proud of but at the same time look at the truth if the three years first home give the rules they would have their branches or and this branches that is everywhere every birds was common to that and this is not the fact for the tree that's free has its own. rules and that's why we are very much secure their holy a