The Monastery of the Virgin, Drunka, is considered one of the important tourist attractions in Egypt, where thousands of foreign and Egyptian visitors come throughout the year to learn about the place where the Holy Family’s journey ended.
The Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Drunka is an ancient monastery built at the foot of the mountain. It is located 8 km southwest of Assiut on Al-Ghanayem Road, in the same place visited by the Holy Family. A wonderful church was also built in the same place of the cave in which the family stayed.
The monastery began its activity at the time when Christianity spread in Egypt, as the first Christians were fleeing to it to escape the oppression of the rulers.
The monastery has a group of churches, the oldest of which is the Cave Church, which dates back to the end of the first century AD. the cave length is 160 meters and width is 60 meters.
When the monastic movement began in the fourth century AD, many monasteries were established in this area for monks and nuns, and one of the most famous monks who lived in this area was the monk John al-Asyouti.
One of the largest Coptic celebrations in Egypt is held in the Drunka Monastery during the fasting period of the Virgin Mary, which starts from August 7 to August 21 each year.
While we are in Drunka Monastery, we cannot forget the blessing of His Grace, the late Pope Michael, who served in Assiut for 68 years of his life and carried out a great spiritual and architectural renaissance in the Diocese of Assiut and the Monastery of the Virgin. He died on 23 / 11 / 2014 and a museum was done for him to display his personal belongings and pictures from various historical stages in his life.
The late Bishop Mikhail, the former Metropolitan of Assiut, built Drunka Church in 1955 AD, located to the east of the cave. His Eminence was interested in constructing several buildings to serve the visitors of the monastery.
There is a group of churches, including a church whose style is similar to that of a church in Italy. Large halls for religious and social services and for artistic activities were built, as well as many restrooms and guest rooms to accommodate thousands of visitors during feasts and occasions.