Our monasteries
Two monasteries in the Marchfeld, less than half an hour from Vienna: places of prayer, retreat and conference — and open to guests.
St Anthony's Monastery, Obersiebenbrunn
In 2001 Bishop Anba Gabriel bought Prince Eugene's former manor and founded the Monastery of St Anthony in it. The building opposite followed the same year and became the church of St Mina.
In 2002 came the historic granary, named after Pope Shenouda III: a church, a museum and a large lecture hall on the ground floor, rooms for conference guests above. In 2004 Pope Shenouda III consecrated the churches of St Anthony and St Bishoy.
Ten monks and one novice live there today. Seven churches stand on the grounds; the monastery grows its own fruit, keeps ducks, chickens and turkeys, and produces honey from its own hives.
St Anne's Convent, Schönfeld im Marchfeld
A former inn with a function hall became the church of the three holy Annas. What was once the beer garden is now the room that holds the baptismal font.
In 2021, on the recommendation of Tamav Thekla, the first nun came to Schönfeld; the first novice entered in January 2022. On 15 July 2022 Pope Tawadros II consecrated the convent's churches.
On 2 June 2023 the monastic life there was officially recognised — the first recognised Coptic convent in Austria. The first nun was consecrated on 10 August 2023.