Madinat Wadi an Natrun Local Customs

Before I went to Egypt I knew little about the Coptic Church... now I still know very little. Coptic monks dress in a long black robe (it's the symbol that they have died from this world), wear a long beard, and a black cap with white coptic crosses.
There are coptic priest, too, and they are allowed to marry - but only monks can become patriarchs.
A patriarch is called "Anba" (before his name)and the priests "Abouna", and they both mean "Father".

All the monks we have met, I ought to add, were extremely learned and witty people - willing to talk everything - from religion to history to traveling.
Another significant detail: they are the only people in Egypt that did not annoyed us for a backsheesh, and also the ones who gave us the best explanations and visits. In the end, it's the people who got more money from us...