February 9 – 22(26), 2025: Journey through the Land of the Pharaohs and the Desert Fathers

During this trip we plan to visit an extensive list of archeological sites, covering a vast Egyptian history span, a Pharaonic Empire that lasted for nearly three thousand years. Our trip will include all of the iconic sites of Ancient Egypt, in addition to numerous side trips to lesser known, but equally fascinating sites. Another important component of our tour will be engagement with the legacy of the earliest Christian communities in Egypt.

The golden treasure of monastic wisdom was produced in the eastern desert of Egypt, and we plan to visit some of the monasteries located in the area where most of the “heroes” of that intricate collection have lived. We will visit monasteries associated with the founders of Christian monasticism as we know it – St. Anthony and St. Paul, we will gaze at the some of the earliest Christian frescoes at the Red Monastery and we will explore the remains and modern site of one of the largest pilgrim centers of antiquity – St. Mina’s monastery and pilgrim complex.

Our journey from Alexandria all the way to the southern border of Egypt will take just over two weeks. But during that time, we will cover much more than just a vast geographical span; we will engage in the very legacy of the classical and early Christian Egypt.