Wadi Natron Today I went with a friend, Carmen, to visit the Coptic Orthodox Monasteries at Wadi Natron. (Natron is a naturally occurring salt (sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate) used, among other things, in the mummification process by ancient Egyptians.) In Egypt early Christians sought to clear their minds of earthly desires and unite with God by living a simple life in the desert. For this purpose a well, grain mill and chapel was set up at Wadi Natron in the 4th century A.D. This soon became three monasteries supporting resident monks and hermits living in the surrounding desert caves. Various additions have been added over the centuries but many of the original structures and frescos are still there. This is the refectory where monks came to share a meal in silence after the service. The lectern at the far end was from where scripture was read while they ate. The desert hermits would come in once a week to take confession, hear the service, eat with their brothers and replenish supplies.

Today these monasteries remain places of quiet and calm, a place to seek God, a retreat from the world, as well as a living documentation of Christianity in Egypt-a living museum.A number of monks still reside at each monastery, all be it in more modern quarters, and were happy to give us very informative and entertaining tours of each.The coptic language, used for services is supposed to be the closest thing to ancient Egyptian still spoken and apparently uses some heiroglyphs as well as greek letters.