The goals of the foundation, which are mainly long term, are to support the academic activities which have an important impact in studies of Coptology in general and in Coptic history in particular. These publications are only the begining. Symposium About Wadi El Natrun under The Auspices of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III at St. Bishoy Monastery, Feruary 2002. Wadi al Natrun was one of the main locations for the start of monasticism in Egypt and continues to be for more than 1600 years. The number of monasteries has decreased and many are under the sand.
Excavations are slow and expensive.
The agricultural land is moving very quickly and threatening the disappearance of those sacred remnants that are an important part of the Coptic history of Egypt. We propose to convene a scientific symposium of scientists, historians and archeologists who are knowledgeable of Wadi al Natrun. The current status of the monasteries, their renovations and discoveries, etc. The land which should be protected for future excavations. The last documentation was by Evelyn White a century ago.