This post is also available in: العربية
The Idea of Establishing the Monastery
The idea of establishing the monastery started on June 18th, 2001, during a meeting of H.G. Bishop Antony with Fr Mateaos St. Anthony (currently H.G. Bishop Danial), and Fr Mina El Baramousy at the Dioceses Residence.
During the meeting of H.H. Pope Shenouda III with the priests of the Diocese in August 2001, H.H. blessed the idea. The priests and congregation welcomed the idea and the purchase contract was signed on Friday, August 28th, 2004.
Announcement of the Commencement of the Construction of the Coptic Monastery
The first news about the monastery was published on Friday, June 5th, 2004, in the local newspaper of the region, called Scarborough Evening News. It was an article to introduce and describe monasticism in monasteries.
H.H. Bishop Antony assigned Fr Angelo St. Anthony, the Vicar of the Diocese, and Fr Samaan St. Paul. Priest of St. George and St. Athanasius’ church in Newcastle, to look after the monastery on August 28th, 2004, due to the presence of H.G. with Pope Shenouda III in a pastoral visit outside the diocese.
Description of the Monastery
The Main Building: consisting of three floors, the ground floor that has the Church, and next to it is a library. In addition, there is a reception for visitors and on the other side there is a table for visitors beside the main kitchen.
The second floor includes the cell of the Abbot of the monastery (H.G. Bishop Antony), and some of the monks’ cells as well as a second kitchen.
The third floor has the rest of the cells in addition to a third kitchen.
The Building of the Monks’ Cells
Cottages: there are three visitors cottages, each of which is isolated with a small garden in front of each. They are used to accommodate visitors who come to the monastery for retreats.
Churches of the Monastery
1- Athanasius’ Church – the first Offering of Evening Incense prayer was held in the monastery on the day of purchase, and on August 29th, midnights praises was held followed by Liturgy which was the first Liturgy in the monastery, and this was on Saturday 29th of August, 2004.
2- Anthony’s Church – a small building on the outskirts of the monastery and that was used for the priests’ retreats and then it was converted to St. Anthony’s Church and adding an altar and iconostasis.
3- Archangel Michael Church – it is at the top floor of the building of the monks’ cells and it is only for monks
Recognition of the Monastery
In June, 2006, the Holy Synod recognised the monastery as a Coptic Orthodox Monastery.
Commemoration of St. Athanasius
The monastery hold an annual commemoration celebration for St. Athanasius with the presence of H.G. Bishop Antony who leads the offering of the Evening Incense followed by Midnight Praises and Liturgy.
Clergy’s Seminars
A number of seminars were held at the monastery for the priests of the Diocese, with the presence of specialists of theology, Church administration, fathers’ sayings, monastic life, social affairs and other important topics relating to the service.
Activities in the Monastery
Spiritual activities are held at the monastery from time to time as well as events for the residents near the monastery for better communication with them, and through the events, they are introduced to the monastic life, history and doctrine of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
H.H. Pope Tawadros’ II Visit
The monastery was also blessed by the historical visit of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II on Friday, May 19, 2017, where H.H. prayed the vespers prayer.
After that, His Holiness had a spiritual session with the monks of the monastery, followed by another session with the priests of the diocese.
On the morning of Saturday, May 20th, 2017, His Holiness, H.G. Bishop Antony, H.G. Bishop Makar and H.G. Bishop Bavly consecrated the altar of the monastery, and the consecration prayers were followed by the Divine Liturgy, during which the monks of the monastery were ordained as priests.
They are Fr Antony St. Athanasius. Fr Paul St. Athanasius and Fr John St. Athanasius.
Branch of the Monastery in Ireland
His Grace Bishop Anthony wanted to establish another branch for the monastery in Ireland, so he bought a new monastery in Waterford on January 14th, 2013.