One of the best known monasteries, and a frequent stop
on most tours that stop in Aswan in far Upper Egypt, is Deir Anba Simaan also
known as Deir Anba Hadra (Hatre), but best known as the Monastery of St. Simeon.
For many tourists, a visit to this monastery may constitute the only camel ride
while in Egypt. However, there is another monastery in the general vicinity of Aswan,
and in fact conveniently located in the area of the pharaonic Tombs of the
Nobles midway between the summit of a hill at Qubbat al-Hawa and the Nile River.
It lies about one kilometer from Elephantine Island and in fact occupies part
of the royal tombs.
This monastery is commonly referred to as that of St.
George (Deir Mari Girgis), but in fact there is no conclusive evidence of that
having been the monastery's actual name. Different names have been associated
with this monastery, and it may have been called the Monastery of St.
Laurentius, or the Monastery of the Savior. Also, the early thirteenth century
church historian, Abu al-Makarim mentions a Monastery of Antony in the area.
Irregardless, it is likely that this much smaller monastery was a dependency of
the considerably larger Monastery of St. Simeon.
While predating the Fatimid Period (972-1171), that
was the golden era of this monastery, when a large residential structure of
several stories consisting of a central corridor and sleeping rooms was built.
The ruins of a church stand before the pharaonic tomb
of Khune. This church, which follows the plan of an octagon-domed structure,
was probably built after the beginning of the Fatimid Period but before the end
of the eleventh century. Only at the end of the twentieth century (1998), was
debris removed from the area of this church, which unearthed beautiful wall
paintings and Coptic (Egyptian Christian) and Arabic Texts.
In the
west wall of the church is an apse adorned with a two-zoned composition which
was a popular style in monastic painting. The upper section of this composition
depicts Christ in a mandorla. His right hand is raised in a posture of
blessing, while in his left hand he holds a book. The mandorla is supported by
six angels in full flight. Below this scene on the lower part of the apse, the
Holy Virgin stands amidst the twelve Apostles.
There remains considerable conservatory work to be
performed at this monastery, for there are many other Coptic and Arabic text
preserved under a thin layer of plaster. However, these texts and the murals of
the church are very important for the history of Christianity and monasticism
at Aswan, and the paintings of the church provide invaluable documentation for
the study of Coptic art at the beginning of the second millennium.