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The Monastery of Saint Antony to be renovated



An extensive renovation of the world’s oldest monastery was unveiled last month in Egypt. The restoration and conservation of the 1,600 year-old Monastery of Saint Antony, situated in the rugged desert mountains near Egypt’s Red Sea coast, cost US$14.5 million. The project took eight years to complete. It is said that in this remote spot, at the end of the 3rd century, Saint Anthony took up residence in a cave, with little more than a spring and some palm trees to sustain him.Upon his death in AD 356, his followers built cells and created the world’s first Christian monastery, which now houses 120 monks, is the burial place of four saints, and holds ancient church paintings dating to the Middle Ages. In the government-sponsored project, workers renovated the monasteries’ two main churches - the 15th century Church of the Apostles and the 4th century Church of Saint Anthony, the fortress-like ancient wall surrounding the monastery, and several outbuildings. A modern sewage system was also installed for the monastery, which receives a million visitors every year. Monks say the restoration and discovery of the cells of the monks sheds important light on the early years of monasticism and bolsters the country’s long monastic tradition. (AP)

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