Dr. Ibrahim Saber, Governor of Cairo, visited the Monastery of Anba Samaan El-Kharraz in Manshiyet Nasser, where he was received by a number of monastery officials.
The Governor of Cairo also toured several of the monastery’s churches and reviewed the activities and services it provides. He praised the monastery’s distinctive architectural design, describing it as one of the capital’s important tourist destinations.
During the visit, the Governor of Cairo met with a number of citizens and listened to their concerns. He directed the relevant executive authorities to promptly examine their requests and work toward finding appropriate solutions.
The Governor of Cairo was accompanied during the visit by Dr. Ahmed Anwar Attia El-Adl, Deputy Governor for the Western Region. The visit was also attended by priests from the Monastery of Anba Samaan El-Kharraz: Father Abram Fahmy, Father Boutros Roshdy, and Father Yostos Tawfik, along with a number of governorate officials and members of the House of Representatives.
The Monastery of Samaan El-Kharraz in Mokattam is considered one of the most prominent and unique church and monastery designs in the world. The monastery was named after one of the saints of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Samaan El-Kharraz, also known as Samaan the Tanner, who lived during the reign of Fatimid Caliph Al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah.
The idea of constructing the monastery emerged following the discovery in 1974 of the cave where Saint Samaan was buried. The monastery houses archaeological discoveries found at the tomb of Samaan El-Kharraz, as well as carved artworks in the rocks of Mokattam Mountain. The monastery was built gradually by residents of Mokattam, who transported approximately 2.5 million stones for its construction.
The church can accommodate 20,000 people and features 76 carved images. Its architectural design is considered among the 20 most beautiful church designs in the world.
The monastery comprises six Coptic Orthodox churches: the Church of Anba Shenouda, the Church of Anba Abram ibn Zar'a, the Church of the Angel and St. Mary and John, the Church of Anba Paul and Anba Anthony, the Church of St. Mark, and the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary and Saint Samaan.
Source: Media Department, Cairo Governorate
