The Ancient Monastery of Saint Pishoy
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A REFLECTION FOR GOD’S PILGRIMS The environment is not something relegated to theological text books, but is a very real part he monasteries provide an opportunity for T of our life and our prayers, an essential part for pilgrims to share in this tradition of reflection, which we thank God and ask His continued bless- be it with day visits or overnight retreats, and be ing. Our theology must be witnessed in our lives partakers of that same tradition of spirituality. as pilgrims, especially in our places of pilgrimage. Those going on pilgrimage should set an exam- ot only is it for us to continue this relationship N ple of caring for creation by dealing with the earth with God through His creation but also it is a with the sanctity that it deserves and safeguarding task of stewardship to preserve this great source its’ resources. Our places of pilgrimage are bea- of peace and wisdom given to us as His children. cons of our Faith, leading our pilgrims to become environmental stewards, caring for the whole of or all those who visit the monastery at any F God’s creation. time, they are also practically reminded that we are called to be the vinedressers in the vineyard of our Lord, and be ready to give account for the harvest that has been entrusted to us (Matthew 21:33). To this means and purpose we dedicate ourselves not only as hired workers, for hired workers do not know what the master is doing, but rather as partners and fellow-workers with God in making this earth fruitful, that His whole creation, crowned by humankind, may have a more abundant life, and a joy that is full. (John 15:11-15 & 10:10) As a practical manifestation of this very real commitment, in October 2011 the Coptic Ortho- dox Church, through the model of the ancient Monastery of Saint Pishoy, became a founder member of the new global network of Green Pil- grim Sites and pilgrimage routes formed by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC), a United Kingdom-based international organisa- tion founded by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh in 1995. For more information Model Desert Community www.CopticCentre.com A for Environmental Sustainability PILGRIMAGE IN THE COPTIC THE MONASTERY OF Under the care, guidance and leadership of HG ORTHODOX CHURCH SAINT PISHOY Bishop Sarabamoun the Abbott of the monastery, there has been an increase in the number of monks A Green Pilgrim Site ince its’ establishment in the first Century, from twelve in 1960 to over two hundred and sixty S t is here, nestled in the wilderness of the Natroun the Coptic Orthodox Church has existed in I today. valley, that the desert fathers have enjoyed and Egypt and has as one of its’ principal pillars a n recent years, four hundred acres of desert land experienced the preciousness of God’s creation, and I movement and way of life that commenced in have been acquired for the monastery by His through their example, the monastery spreads the her deserts and wildernesses and, from there, Grace, who has worked energetically to oversee spirit of sustainability to the thousands who visit spread to the whole world. This phenomenon is, a programme of reclamation and cultivation, evi- her annually from around Egypt and the world. of course, the monastic movement that started in denced in the planting of thousands of trees in the the deserts of Egypt in the third Century and still once-arid desert. thrives across the country until today. Every monk’s personal effort, stewardship and responsibility is important, but the relationship of Being central to the lives of many Christians the monastic community with its’ natural environ- in Egypt and abroad, the monasteries are fre- ment is predominantly about their love for God quented by pilgrims throughout the year, who and their appreciation of His gifts to the world. reach their thousands on special feast days in the The monastery is a model and a beacon through The monastery has a full working programme Coptic Calendar. The monasteries have always its’ programme of self-sufficiency and environmental of sustainability, both in its’ way of life and been essential for spiritual retreat, and in the sustainability, a living and working example for current climate, have become a visitors’ haven similar desert communities all over the world to its’ practices, including: of reflection, contemplation and refuge in the follow. It is one of the principal monasteries of Solar energy produced through the use of solar midst of a bustling society embattled by historic Wadi-El-Natroun and has five Churches within panels, gaining a large proportion of its’ daily energy political reform and the accompanying security its’ boundaries. needs by this clean method and harnessing the ever- and economic pressures. present desert sun. Saint Pishoy, the founder of the monastery in the As part of her wider efforts, the monks have fourth Century, was an energetic worker who ate reclaimed hundreds of acres of desert wilderness over from the work of his own hands. He once said to the years for planting trees that act as wind breakers his disciples ‘I did not eat food provided by any and stop soil erosion. person; ...my children, work with your hands to Self sufficiency in water requirements using both sustain yourselves and to make enough to give to salt-water irrigation wells and sweet-water drinking charity as well.’ wells. As a former hermit, His Holiness Pope Shenouda The cultivation of acres of land that have been III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See reclaimed and are now organically farmed leading to of Saint Mark, has devoted great effort to a high level of self sufficiency for feeding the monks rebuilding the ancient monasteries in the Egyp- and labourers, and the monastery’s many thousands tian deserts, especially Saint Pishoy in which of visitors. His Holiness retreats to his papal residence on a Organic fish farming. regular weekly basis. A continuous process of refuse sorting and recycling..