What is the story of St. Bishoy, who washed Christ’s feet?
By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10
St. Bishoy, known in our Church as the "Perfect Man" and the "Beloved of our Good Savior," lived in the fourth and fifth centuries in the wilderness of Scetis (Wadi El-Natrun). He is renowned for his extraordinary life of asceticism, deep humility, and profound encounters with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Among the greatest accounts preserved in the Coptic Synaxarium and monastic tradition are the times our Lord appeared to him directly, specifically when St. Bishoy washed His holy feet.
The Washing of the Savior’s Feet
St. Bishoy was known for his boundless love, hospitality, and humility. He made it a rule never to turn away any stranger, visitor, or weary traveler who passed through the harsh desert, but rather welcomed each person as if receiving Christ Himself.
One day, an old, weary traveler arrived at St. Bishoy’s cell in the wilderness. The man appeared exhausted, covered in the dust of the desert journey. Following the evangelical commandment of hospitality and Christian charity, St. Bishoy welcomed him with great warmth and respect.
St. Bishoy immediately brought a basin of water and knelt down before the stranger to wash his dusty, weary feet, just as our Lord washed the feet of His disciples. As St. Bishoy was lovingly and humbly washing the stranger's feet, he looked closely and saw the unmistakable marks of the nails—the holy wounds of the Crucifixion.
St. Bishoy trembled in awe, fell prostrate, and realized that the humble traveler before him was none other than our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The Lord smiled upon His faithful servant, blessed him, and commended his profound love and humility before ascending into heaven.
Carrying Christ on the Mountain
A closely related and equally famous account from the life of St. Bishoy occurred when the Lord promised to appear to the monks of Scetis on a certain mountain.
When the monks heard this, they eagerly rushed toward the mountain to see the Lord. Along the way, an elderly, sick stranger was sitting beside the road, unable to walk, pleading with the passing monks to carry him along. Eager to hurry and see Christ, monk after monk passed by the old man, making excuses that they could not carry him and would miss their encounter with the Lord.
When St. Bishoy came along and saw the helpless old man, his heart was moved with compassion. He put aside any rush to reach the summit, knelt down, and lifted the man onto his back to carry him up the mountain.
As St. Bishoy walked uphill, the weight of the man gradually increased until it felt heavier than any normal human being. St. Bishoy then realized this was no ordinary man. The Lord revealed Himself to St. Bishoy and said to him:
"Because you carried Me, O Bishoy, your body will never see corruption."
To this very day, in fulfillment of the Lord's divine promise, the holy body of St. Bishoy remains completely intact and incorrupt, resting in the main church of the Monastery of St. Bishoy in the wilderness of Scetis (Wadi El-Natrun), where pilgrims venerate his relics to this day.