Decisions of the Holy Synod – Decisions Concerning Monasticism
Decisions of the Holy Synod – Decisions Concerning Monasticism
Administrative Matters:
- Each monastery shall prepare a register of its monks together with their personal information, using special forms prepared by the Secretariat of the Holy Synod. A copy of each monastery’s register, together with any updated information, shall be sent to the Secretariat of the Synod to be kept in the archives of the Holy Synod.
- The register of the monks of each monastery shall include the following items:
The current name of each monk, and his name before monasticism; his occupation before monasticism; his marital status before monasticism (whether widowed or unmarried, whether he is the child of a second marriage, and from which parent, and what his future status in the priesthood would be); his date of birth; his secular place of residence; the date of his monastic profession; the priestly ranks he has received and their dates; his duties within the monastery; any ministry he has carried out outside the monastery; his health condition; his academic and theological education; the name of his father of confession before monasticism; and additional remarks.
- A list shall be obtained of the monks who are living outside their monasteries in a non-monastic manner, and they shall be questioned regarding their situation, after which decisions shall be taken concerning them.
- A list of the names of monks serving in the dioceses shall be sent to the Secretariat of the Synod.
- A set of bylaws or regulations for the monasteries shall be prepared by the Monasteries Committee based on specific points to be sent to the committee members, whose recommendations shall constitute a draft of the regulations.
- Information shall be exchanged among the monasteries concerning monks who are under disciplinary penalties. This information shall also be sent to the Secretary of the Synod for communication with the fathers, the bishops.
- Attention shall be given to the tourism aspect of the monasteries from a cultural perspective. Each monastery should publish a book in Arabic and in foreign languages such as English, French, and German. The book should contain color photographs of the monastery’s churches, icons, and Coptic and monastic antiquities. It will contribute to introducing both foreigners and Egyptians to the monasteries.
- A book entitled “Coptic Monasticism” shall be published as a tourist book, illustrated with photographs and printed on high-quality glossy paper.
- A museum shall be established in each monastery to display its antiquities.
- An exhibition shall be established for the products of each monastery.
The Relationship of Monks with Bishops and Dioceses:
- No bishop or priest may ordain a monk or a nun except for a monastery recognized by the Church. This may only be done through, or with the permission of, the abbot, the bishop of the monastery, or His Holiness the Pope.
- No monk may be promoted to any rank of the priesthood except through, or with the permission of, the abbot, the bishop of the monastery, or His Holiness the Pope.
- No bishop in a diocese may appoint a monk to serve in his diocese, or even promise him such service, except after obtaining the permission of His Holiness the Pope and the abbot.
- No monk may be deprived of the priesthood or of the rite of monasticism except by the abbot, the bishop of the monastery, or His Holiness the Pope, after the proper ecclesiastical legal procedures have been followed and only for serious reasons that warrant such action.
- The Synodal Committee for Monasticism, or a council formed by His Holiness the Pope and Patriarch, shall be responsible for examining the cases of monks who depart from the fundamental principles of monasticism and bring harm to monasticism and to their monasteries. It shall render whatever judgment it deems appropriate.
The Relationship of Monks with Churches and Homes:
- No church may permit an unfamiliar monk to celebrate the Divine Liturgy or offer the Raising of Incense unless it is certain of the validity of his priesthood, he carries a letter from his bishop authorizing him to do so, and the bishop of the diocese in which he is to serve has approved it.
- No family may permit an unfamiliar monk to stay overnight in its home. It is preferable to direct him to the nearest church or bishopric.
- Monks who wander outside the monasteries, go from house to house, and cause countless problems should not be received. Therefore, it is not appropriate to receive monks in homes without written authorization from the monastery or from the Patriarchate. The same applies to those who collect donations.
- A monk should not reside with his family in cities or villages.
Other Matters:
- The probationary period for one applying for monasticism shall not be less than one year and may be extended to three years. If possible, the candidate should take one year of unpaid leave from his employment. It is preferable that he not wear the clothing of a novice during this first year.
- No condition requiring a monk to be assigned to serve in a particular diocese (before entering the monastery) shall be accepted.
- Attention shall be given to the education of the monks and to holding spiritual meetings for them.
- The Holy Synod has prepared a pledge to be recited by the monk on the day of his monastic ordination.
Recognition of Monasteries:
The Holy Synod recognized the following new monasteries: the Monastery of Saint George at El-Rizeikat, the Monastery of Anba Pachomius at Hager Edfu, the Monastery of the Virgin Mary at Mount Akhmim, and the Monastery of Saint Anthony in California.
The Holy Synod also recognized the Monastery of Saint Demiana for Nuns at the Desert of Belqas.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
