Saint Anba Karas the Anchorite — Beloved of Christ, Friend of the Angels
Fifty-seven years in the inner desert without seeing a human face — for it was enough for him to see the face of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Who is Anba Karas?
So Saint Simon the Solitary described him when Abba Bamoua, priest of Mount Shiheet, asked: «Is there in this mountain another saint like you?» When Bamoua reached him, he found a man full of light, the grace of God upon his face, his eyes shining, living in a cave in the rock — and the Lord of Glory Jesus came to him every day to bless him and speak with him.
In his cave, in the bosom of Christ
«Every person who knows your life and remembers your name on earth, My peace shall be with him… and whoever feeds the hungry, gives drink to the thirsty, clothes the naked or shelters the stranger in your name, I will repay him many times over in My kingdom.»
From the saint’s life — after a manuscript of the Syrian Monastery (El-Sourian)
Read the story of his reposeMiracles of Saint Anba Karas
A fragrant bouquet of God’s work with His children through the saint’s intercession, as told by those who received them to his church in Dairut.
I had been married for more than four years and the Lord had not given me children, and people always embarrassed me by asking, "Hasn't God…
Read the miracle 2The couple truly felt the blessing of his presence, and after their wedding they came to thank Anba Karas at his shrine in the Church of…
Read the miracle 3She was a very simple woman who came to offer a vow out of her need. When we asked her for whom the vow was, she…
Read the miracle 4That is how I cried out — "O Anba Karas, O Anba Karas!" — when my family and I were in danger. I say my family,…
Read the miracle 5I came with my children and some neighbours to pray the Liturgy of Palm Sunday at the Church of Anba Karas and the Anchorite Fathers in…
Read the miracle 6My beloved Karas, every person who knows your life and remembers your name, My peace shall be with him, and I will repay him many times…
Read the miracle 7"O man of God… whose feast was two days ago" — cried Miss (F.A.) of Heliopolis With her last breaths, as she was about to drown…
Read the miracle 8Through the intercession of the great saint Anba Karas, our relative Brother (S.B.) and his wife (A.F.) in the Netherlands would seek his intercession, and in…
Read the miracleService Times
The church serves the whole western part of Dairut — from nursing infants to the elderly and the sick.
History of the Church
All who have seen, heard and witnessed the story of our church call it «the church of heaven» — a gift to us all, owed to no human hand.
«Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it»
Psalm 127:1
Recorded on survey maps and in the property registers, with regular prayers.
The gin, church included, passed to the state; occasional prayers continued until 2002.
Once received, the Liturgy was celebrated on the feast of the Entrance of the Virgin into the Temple — a sign of the Mother of Light’s joy in her place.
The decision came that worship may be held in the church — with a great role played by His Holiness the Pope.
Bishop Barsoum envisioned a whole church in the name of Anba Karas and the Anchorite Fathers, together with the new monastery — the two monasteries are one.
An Orthodox church on the survey maps since before 1905, kept by God until prayer returned to it.
The church’s story
The new Monastery & Church of Anba Karas, Pope Kyrillos and the Anchorite Fathers — Abu Gabal, Dairut. The old and new monasteries are one.
Learn moreFathers of the Church
The Film of Saint Anba Karas
By God’s grace the church produced a beautiful film of the life of Anba Karas; many who watched it were comforted, and some returned to the Father’s embrace.
The Film of Saint Anba Karas
Library
A life, miracles, meditations and a church’s history — «a book to be read slowly and prayerfully, that we may taste the sweetness and love of our Lord».
His life, miracles, the church’s history and hymns — reviewed and introduced by Bishop Barsoum (Arabic).
Download the book (PDF, Arabic)
Newly published by the Monastery & Church of Saint Anba Karas — issue 17 (Arabic).
Download PDFThe film of Anba Karas, plus Liturgies, sermons and celebrations on the monastery’s YouTube channel.
Watch the film
Icons of Saint Anba Karas, the historic church and the fathers of the church.
Browse the galleryContact the monastery
Prayer Requests
Vows & Giving
«The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build» (Nehemiah 2:20)
Or visit the offering offices at the old and new monasteries. May the Lord accept your gifts and gladden your hearts.
Giving detailsVisit
The Church of Anba Karas and the Anchorite Fathers in Dairut — with daily Liturgies and the shrine of Anba Karas and the Anchorite Fathers.
Peace of the Lord be with you, Anba Karas; blessed, blessed are you, Anba Karas;
remember us too in your prayers, our father Karas.
