[2] However, like many other buildings of Coptic architecture, it was rebuilt several times, most notably by the end of the 11th century.

[1] Athanasius, a wealthy scribe and a secretary of Abdel-Aziz Ibn Marwan (governor of Egypt between 685 and 705 AD), had built the church.

The church was most recently renovated extensively between 1910 and 1922, when the khurus, a transverse room preceding the sanctuary, was sacrificed in order to allow more space.

[5] The basilican structure and tripartite sanctuary of the church closely resembles the one of Abu Serga.

[6] Nearby there is a convent which comprises several buildings, including a school built by the well-known architect Ramses Wissa Wassef.