In the "History of the Patriarchs", we are told that Matthew the
Priest was also a fisherman, but he was obviously also a potter. The
"History of the Patriarchs" goes on to say that he built his
monastery during the time of the patriarch Alexander II (704 - 729 AD), and
that many monks were with him. We are also told by Abu Salih, the Armenian,
that he was the Bishop of Esna.
The monastery is located about seven kilometers northwest of the the
village of Asfun al-Matana. Near modern Esna, one may reach this monastery,
which was newly reoccupied by monks in 1975, by leaving the road that follows
the west bank of the Nile at Asfun. It sites on the edge of the desert.
This monastery has striking, massive tower that
extends well above its enclosure walls. It is of three stories and, like other
monasteries, is accessible through a drawbridge that was lifted when the monks
had to take refuge in it from desert plunderers. The top most floor of
the tower contains a chapel dedicated the the archangel Michael, who was the
traditional defender of Coptic monasteries.