The monastery was named after St. Bishoi. He and the hermit, John the Short, escaped to Fayoum for refuge in 340 AD. Many of his Coptic monk followers went after him. Between 385 and 390 AD he built a church. That church, which was restored many times, is now a Coptic museum. The icon of the church of Bishoi washing Christ's feet came from an interesting story. The story says that Bishoi was a very kind and modest man. It was a common practice for he and his followers to wash the dust from the feet of travelers. One day, as he was administering to the feet of a traveler, he discovered the stigmata (wounds of Christ). The monastery recently purchased 400 hectares of land, where they planted olive groves, fruits, vegetables and pasturage, and established medical clinics to serve the community.

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