Father Matta El Meskeen was born in Benha, elKaliobia, Egypt, in 1919. (One source says he was born in Damanhour, Egypt.^{[http://www.stmacariusmonastery.org/article7.htm]}) In 1944, he graduated in Pharmacy from the University of Cairo. In 1948, after leading a successful life and establishing a wealthy lifestyle for himself--Eskander at the time was the owner of two pharmacies, two villas, and two cars--he renounced his material possessions, and entered the Monastery of St. [[Samuel the Confessor]] in Qualmun (roughly near Maghagha, Upper Egypt). In 1951, he was ordained a [[priest ]] against his will.