The Order of the Sisters
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III presents in this lecture the subject “Monasticism — Girls’ Monasticism: Its History and Possibilities,” explaining that monasticism is not a sudden invention but has ancient roots in the Old Testament and in the lives of the prophets.
Roots of Monasticism and Its Historical Development
He clarifies that the elements of monastic life (withdrawal, prayer, solitude, virginity) existed before Anba Anthony, and accompanied the life of Elijah, John the Baptist, and Hannah the prophetess, then took their complete form in the third, fourth, and fifth centuries.
Existence of Girls’ Monasticism and Its Forms
He explains that girls’ monasticism existed in houses of virgins near cities and in convents for women, and there were cases of nuns becoming monastics in men’s monasteries or adopting ascetic disguises such as feigned ignorance and madness for special spiritual service; he also mentioned monastic practices resembling men’s monasticism especially in certain historical periods.
Social and Protective Factors
He indicates that houses of virgins were sometimes close to cities to protect them from attacks by Bedouins or evildoers, and that organizational and spiritual services existed since the days of the apostles and are mentioned in the letters of Paul.
The Importance of Research and Documentation
His Holiness calls for conducting historical, archaeological, and hagiographic research about nuns’ monasticism and houses of virgins, and encourages students and researchers to collect references and study the lives of female saints and nuns and publish these studies within the Church’s context.
Diversity in Forms of Monasticism and Comparative Approach
He urges studying monasticism not only among the Copts but also among our Syrian and Armenian brothers and other Eastern churches to understand the integration and difference in monastic life across the Eastern Orthodox tradition.
Conclusion and Pastoral Note
He concludes with an invitation to deepen the subject academically and spiritually, to use the seminary and college libraries and archives for study, and to encourage establishing research projects and journals concerned with the history of female monasticism to preserve the Coptic Orthodox spiritual heritage.
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