The founder of monastic life in Egypt was Saint Antony, born around AD 250. Rejecting worldly wealth he lived as an ascetic hermit, leading a solitary life of abstinence and rigorous self-discipline in a cave in the Red Sea Mountains. In the 4th century his followers built the Monastery of Saint Antony below his cave which became the focal point of pilgrimages. The monastery was enlarged during the reign of the emperor Justinian I (reigned 527-565).

There were numerous monasteries throughout Egypt from Saint Menas near Alexandria to the well-preserved monastery of Saint Simeon at Aswan. An important Coptic stronghold was Scetis in the Wadi Natrun which consisted of four monasteries, the earliest community dating to around 330. In these monasteries were churches with saints’ relics and icons, monks’ cells, refectories, libraries and fortified towers for refuge in time of attacks.

In Middle Egypt the site of el-Ashmunein (classical Hermopolis Magna) has one of the oldest and largest Christian basilicas. Columns and building materials taken from earlier Roman structures created the Christian architecture of the nave, aisles and apse. Over the centuries many monasteries and churches have become abandoned ruins but some such as Deir el-Muharraq with its ancient Church of the Virgin have been revitalised and are prospering.