Location: 

The monastery is located in the village of Hajer Danfiq, about 8 km from the city of Naqada, about 130 meters from the Holy Cross monastery, and 6 km from Archangel Michael monastry. It was named after Anba Andras “Abu Al-Leef”, who was a disciple of Anba Besentaous, Bishop of Qift.  

History: 

Anba Andras was ordained a monk at Anba Samuel Monastery in Benhodb mountain, and later became a disciple of Anba Besentaous. He was the Abbot of the Holy Cross Monastery in the sixth century.  Before his departure from this world, he expressed his wish to have his body placed on a horses-drawn cart and to have his shroud made of palm tree fibre “Leef”.   When his body was placed on the cart, the horses moved on their own until they stopped at a ready-made grave (an underground cave) where he was buried on the 18th of Tobe.  An altar was built on his grave in a church named after him.  Later, the church became a part of Anba Andras Monastery. 

The monastery has the following: 

1. Anba Andras church in the southeast corner of the monastery:  

This church was built in the 18th or 19th century to replace the destroyed ancient church. The church consists of four sections, twelve domes, three sanctuaries and three altars: 

The middle altar is in the name of Anba Andras. 

The northern altar is in the name of St. Anthony. 

The southern altar is in the name of St. Makari the Great. 

1. St. Mary church which was added recently in the southeastern corner of Anba Andras church.  It has only one altar. 

1. A 1300-year-old tree called Heglig Al-Lalob) which is located in the center of the monastery and produces fruits that resemble dates in shape and taste. This tree is famous for miraculously healing illnesses and is found in Sudan and the farthest part of Upper Egypt specifically Al-Assas wilderness in Naqada. 

1. Library and restaurant. 

This monastery went through long challenging times, but with the grace of God, it underwent restoration by H.G. Bishop Biemen to serve future generations.