Church Organizations

Decisions of the Holy Synod Regarding Monasticism

Decisions of the Holy Synod Regarding Monasticism
(Approved in the session of 21/6/1986)

1. No bishop father or priest father may ordain a monk or a nun except for a monastery recognized by the Church. This may only be done by, or with the permission of, the abbot, the monastery’s bishop, or His Holiness the Pope.
2. Likewise, a monk may not be promoted to any rank of the priesthood except by, or with the permission of, the abbot, the monastery’s bishop, or His Holiness the Pope.
3. Nor may a monk be deprived of the priesthood or of the monastic rite except by the abbot, the monastery’s bishop, or His Holiness the Pope.
4. Information shall be exchanged among the monasteries concerning monks who are under a particular disciplinary penalty. Such information shall be sent to the Secretary of the Holy Synod for communication with the bishop fathers.
5. No church may permit a visiting monk to celebrate the Divine Liturgy or offer incense in it unless it is certain of the validity of his priesthood and he carries a letter from his bishop authorizing him to do so, with the approval of the bishop of the diocese in which that monk will serve.
6. No family may permit a monk to stay overnight in its home. It is preferable to direct him to the nearest church or metropolis.
7. No bishop in the dioceses may appoint a monk for service in his diocese, nor even promise him such service, except after obtaining permission from His Holiness the Pope and the abbot.
8. A list shall be sent to the Secretariat of the Synod containing the names of the monks currently serving in the dioceses. Likewise, a list shall be sent containing the names of monks living outside their monasteries in a non-monastic situation, so that they may be questioned regarding their status and a decision taken concerning them.
9. A monk shall not reside with his family or relatives in cities or in the countryside.
10. Each monastery shall prepare a register containing the names and information of the monks on special forms and templates prepared by the Secretariat of the Synod, to be preserved among the records of the Holy Synod.
11. Monks who wander outside the monasteries, visit homes, and cause countless problems shall not be accepted. Therefore, it is not appropriate to receive visits from monks in homes without written authorization from the monastery or from the Patriarchate. The same applies to those who collect donations.
12. Attention shall be given to the tourism status of the monasteries from the cultural perspective, meaning that each monastery should publish a book in Arabic and in other languages such as English, French, and German. This book should be supplied with colored photographs of the monastery’s churches, icons, and Coptic and monastic antiquities. It will contribute to introducing both foreigners and Egyptians to the Coptic monasteries.

Attention should also be given to establishing a museum in each monastery containing its antiquities.

13. The probationary period for a candidate for monasticism shall not be less than one year and may extend to three years. If possible, the candidate for monasticism should take a one-year unpaid leave from his employment. It is preferable that during this year he not wear the clothing designated for a novice candidate for monasticism.
14. Attention shall be given to the education of monks and to holding spiritual meetings for them.

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