The Virgin Mary Coptic Monastery "Almuharraq Monastery"

 church, monastery, orthodox christianity, Coptic Orthodox Church

THE FOUNDATIONS OF MONASTICISM AT KOSKAM
The site of Virgin Mary's Church at the wilderness of Koskam has played an important role in attracting some people to dwell and worship God nearby due to its simplicity and humble conditions. The site had a unique privilege, as it was a safe and fairly comfortable shelter for the holy family who lived there away from urbanization and led a humble life; yet they blessed the place. So it is said that those who came to lead a life of purity and sanctity to worship God, as the Holy Family did, would have the same blessings the Lord of glory has bestowed on the place. They would also garner the crown of eternal life. It is believed that some of its early hermits had a good relationship with Saint Anthonys (the founder of monasticism

After the death of Saint Bakhomious, the Father of Koinonia or community monasticism. Bakhomian monasteries were spread by his disciples (such as Theodore and Horsiesios …) all over Egypt. Many other groups of monks followed the principles of Saint Bakhomious without joining any Bakhomian monasteries of community life. Some others built monasteries and had there their own monastic order guided by the Bakhomian order. Some studies and research indicated that some of Saint Bakhomious' disciples or at least a group of Bakhomian community monks came to Koskam in the second half of the fourth century and took part in establishing the monastery with those who abode around the church. Yet, the exact date of their arrival is not established. Bus they certainly arrived after St. Bakhomious' death in 346. (For scholars and researchers of the Bakhomian community-life monasticism unanimously agreed that St. Bakhomious established only nine monasteries and two nunneries confined between Akhmeem in the north and Esna in the south of Upper Egypt)

Community-life monasteries were quite similar to that of the earliest church congregation when they all shared everything: "And all who believed were together and had all things in common." (Acts 2: 44). The principle of their daily living was based on poverty, pauperism (humiliation of the body), and dispossession or rather avoiding any form of possession. Yet the centre of a monk's spiritual life is the Holy Bible, Holy Communion, and of continual prayer

It seemed that the way of applying the Bakhomian rule in Koskam Monastery had its own feature and nature. The monastery has been known for its open door policy for all visitors who sought the water of the well, blessed by the Lord Jesus, for the purpose of healing. They also came to ask for the prayers and intercession of the Lord's Mother, Saint Virgin Mary.

THE HOLY FAMILY'S FLIGHT TO EGYPT
Jesus Christ's flight to Egypt has always been one of the most important events throughout history, which the Holy Ghost's inspiration mentioned in chapter two of the Gospel according to Matthew. The incarnate God so as to intend this event be a witness to the greatness of His Divine arrangement.The Holy Family's flight is associated with the massacre of the children at Bethlehem as both of the two events were due to Herod's jealousy of Jesus, the child. When Herod knew from the Magi (the wise men from the East) the details of their journey and the purpose of their coming to Jerusalem, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him for they told him that they were coming to worship the child who was born king. The birth of a child king made Herod worry about his kingdom; so he intended to do evil to the child and sought to get rid of him by all means. Thus Herod became the tool in the devil's hand to carry out his intentions. Saint Matthew tells us that Herod agreed with the magi (the wise men from the East) to let them go and worship the child on condition that they should come back and tell him where the child was so that he (Herod) might go and worship him too. However, the magi (the wise men from the East) did not accede to Herod's wish because after they found the child Jesus, worshipped him and offered him gifts, they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. Accordingly they departed to their own country by another way. When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men he was in a furious rage and gave his orders to kill all the male children in Bethlehem and that entire region that were two years old or under. He thought, by so doing, the child might have been killed among them. However, there would be no wonder if Heaven's will preceded the earthly matter. For God who is above places, times and the whole universe sent His angel to Joseph in a dream saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." (Matthew 2: 13)