The New Monastery of St. Mina in Mariut, EgyptScroll down for a Related Article, Videos, and Photo TourPope Kyrillos VI established this monastery in commemoration of St. Mina, his patron saint. Pope Kyrillos bought the land from the government in an isolated desert area very close to the archaeological site of Abu Mena, which was an important Christian pilgrimage site during the 4th to 7th century A.D. in Egypt and where countless miracles happened through the intercession of St. Mina. The new monastery is located in the Western desert of Egypt, just South West of Alexandria, off the desert road between Cairo and Alexandria. At the beginning, it was a very humble place, without any landmarks. It was difficult to reach the site and one could easily get lost in the desert. Pope Kyrillos VI began to build and improve the site. Today, St. Mina Monastery in Mariut has become the landmark of the region. Sanitary water and electricity reached the place. The monastery has many buildings, numerous churches/chapels, and even a big Cathedral. Pope Kyrillos VI, according to his wish, was buried in the monastery, which also contains part of the relics of St. Mina. Thousands of pilgrims flock from all over the world to receive spiritual and physical healing at the monastery, which has become "Lourdes of the East". Related Article Monastery of St. Mina, Mariut - Religious "tourism" as big "business"
(Al-Ahram Weekly, 17-23 February 2000, Issue No. 469) VideosExclusive: Tour of St. Mina Monastery in Mariut in 1984; things have changed a lot since that time (streaming video, 20 min: 16 sec - right-click to save, 14.3 MB - to view this video, you will need Microsoft Windows Media Player) Exclusive: Rare film of Pope Kyrillos VI at St. Mina Monastery in Mariut during its early days (streaming video, 2 min: 29 sec - right-click to save, 9.35 MB - to view this video, you will need Microsoft Windows Media Player) Photo TourSt. Mina Monastery in Mariut - October 2010: 67 JPEG photos for offline viewing (stminamonastery__album2010.zip, 11.2 MB). Also available as video slideshow (October8,2010.wmv, streaming video, 8 min: 3 sec - right-click to save, 9.59 MB) - to view this video, you will need Microsoft Windows Media Player or equivalent
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