Journey Back to Eden.pdf - St Mark Coptic Orthodox Church Chicago

A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY 23keen, Matthew the Poor, is widely published and translated. I becamefamiliar with the dramatic narrative frequently told about thismonastery among the Copts themselves, and although it admits ofglosses which could use historical refinements, the story stands as apiece of contemporary hagiography, part of the living heritage ofthe monks who live here.It was once, and for centuries, the greatest and most populousmonastery in Egypt. But with the shifting fortunes of the CopticChurch, St. Macarius slowly declined through time until, by the1960s, it nearly dissolved. However, in a dramatic moment associatedwith Holy Week services, the monastery was rescued by an influxof new young monks. Under the charismatic leadership ofAbuna Matta el Meskeen, they restored the venerable House almostat once to its prominent role at the center of Coptic spirituallife and monastic institutions.