Coptic monasticism
Encyclopedia
Coptic Monasticism is claimed to be the original form of Monasticism
Monasticism
Monasticism is a religious way of life characterized by the practice of renouncing worldly pursuits to fully devote one's self to spiritual work...

 as Saint Pachomius the Cenobite
Pachomius
Saint Pakhom , also known as Pachome and Pakhomius , is generally recognized as the founder of Christian cenobitic monasticism. In the Coptic churches his feast day is celebrated on May 9...

, a Copt from Upper Egypt, established the first communal living in the Monastery of Saint Anthony
Monastery of Saint Anthony
The Monastery of Saint Anthony is a Coptic Orthodox monastery standing in an oasis in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, in the southern part of the Suez Governorate. Hidden deep in the Red Sea mountains, it is located southeast of Cairo. It is one of the oldest monasteries in the world, together with...


in the Red sea area. St. Anthony's Monastery (also known as the Monastery of Abba Antonious) is now the oldest monastery in the world.

Origins

Institutional Christian monasticism seems to have begun in the deserts in AD 4th century Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...

 as a kind of living martyrdom. Scholars such as Lester K. Little attribute the rise of monasticism at this time to the immense changes in the church that had been brought about by Constantine's acceptance of Christianity as the main Roman religion. This ended the position of Christians as a small group that believed itself to be the godly elite. In response a new more advanced form of dedication was developed to preserve a nucleus of the dedicated. The end of persecution also meant that martyrdom was no longer an option to prove one's piety. Instead the long-term "martyrdom" of the ascetic became common.

Many Egyptian Christians went to the desert during the 3rd century, and remained there to pray and work and dedicate their lives to seclusion and worship of God. This was the beginning of the monastic movement
Monasticism
Monasticism is a religious way of life characterized by the practice of renouncing worldly pursuits to fully devote one's self to spiritual work...

, which was organized by Anthony the Great, Saint Paul, the world's first anchorite
Anchorite
Anchorite denotes someone who, for religious reasons, withdraws from secular society so as to be able to lead an intensely prayer-oriented, ascetic, and—circumstances permitting—Eucharist-focused life...

, Saint Macarius the Great
Macarius of Alexandria
Saint Macarius of Alexandria was a monk in the Nitrian Desert. He was a slightly younger contemporary of Macarius of Egypt, and is thus also known as Macarius the Younger. He was also known as ho politikos. He was an extreme ascetic, and numerous miracles were ascribed to him...

 and Saint Pachomius the Cenobite
Pachomius
Saint Pakhom , also known as Pachome and Pakhomius , is generally recognized as the founder of Christian cenobitic monasticism. In the Coptic churches his feast day is celebrated on May 9...

 in the 4th century.

Pachomius spent most of his time at his Pabau monastery. From his initial monastery, demand quickly grew and, by the time of his death in 345, one count estimates there were 3000 monasteries dotting Egypt from north to south. Within a generation after his death, this number grew to 7000 and then moved out of Egypt into Palestine and the Judea Desert, Syria, North Africa and eventually Western Europe.

Monasticism

Christian Monasticism
Monasticism
Monasticism is a religious way of life characterized by the practice of renouncing worldly pursuits to fully devote one's self to spiritual work...

 was born in Egypt and was instrumental in the formation of the Coptic Orthodox Church character of submission, simplicity and humility, thanks to the teachings and writings of the Great Fathers of Egypt's Deserts. By the end of the fifth century, there were hundreds of monasteries, and thousands of cells and caves scattered throughout the Egyptian desert. A great number of these monasteries are still flourishing and have new vocations to this day.

All Christian monasticism stems, either directly or indirectly, from the Egyptian example: Saint Basil the Great Archbishop of Ceasaria of Cappadocia, founder and organizer of the monastic movement in Asia Minor, visited Egypt around 357 A.D. and his rule is followed by the Eastern Orthodox Churches; Saint Jerome
Saint Jerome
Saint Jerome is a Christian church father, best known for translating the Bible into Latin.Saint Jerome may also refer to:*Jerome of Pavia , Bishop of Pavia...

 who translated the Bible into Latin, came to Egypt, while en route to Jerusalem, around 400 A.D. and left details of his experiences in his letters; Benedict
Benedict of Nursia
Saint Benedict of Nursia is a Christian saint, honored by the Roman Catholic Church as the patron saint of Europe and students.Benedict founded twelve communities for monks at Subiaco, about to the east of Rome, before moving to Monte Cassino in the mountains of southern Italy. There is no...

 founded the Benedictine Order in the sixth century on the model of Saint Pachomius, but in a stricter form. Countless pilgrims have visited the "Desert Fathers
Desert Fathers
The Desert Fathers were hermits, ascetics, monks, and nuns who lived mainly in the Scetes desert of Egypt beginning around the third century AD. The most well known was Anthony the Great, who moved to the desert in 270–271 and became known as both the father and founder of desert monasticism...

" to emulate their spiritual, disciplined lives.

The Coptic monasticism took three forms:
  • Monarchism
  • The Coenobitic System
  • The Communal System or Semi-eremitic Life

Modern Coptic Monasticism

The Coptic Orthodox Church has many Monasteries and convent
Convent
A convent is either a community of priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, or nuns, or the building used by the community, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion...

s that host many Monks and Nuns. All of the Coptic Bishops are chosen from monks, although this was not necessary traditionally.

Coptic Monasticism saw a revival that started in the 1960s during the papacy of Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria
Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria
Father Mina became Pope of Alexandria on 10 May 1959 . In accordance with the old Coptic church tradition, Pope Cyril VI was the only monk in the 20th century to be chosen for papacy without having being a bishop /Metropolitan first...

, and currently there are Coptic Monasteries and Convents in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...

, the US and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...

 that have been recognised by the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church
The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church
The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria is the highest authority in the Church of Alexandria and it formulates the rules and regulations regarding matters of church's organisation, faith, service's order....

.

There are currently 33 monasteries in Egypt and in the lands of the immigration with a total of more than 1,000 monks, and six convents with about 300 nuns. The largest monasteries, and most famous, are at Wadi Natrun
Wadi El Natrun
Wadi El Natrun is a valley located in Beheira Governorate, Egypt, including a town with the same name. The name refers to the presence of eight different lakes in the region that produce natron salt. In Christian literature, the region is also referred to as the Nitrian Desert...

, about 60 miles northwest of Cairo. They are the only four of the ancient fortified self-sufficient monasteries
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...

 which have survived out of many that were in the Wadi Natroun valley.

Upper Egypt

  • Monastery of Saint Fana
    Monastery of Saint Fana
    The Monastery of Saint Fana is a Coptic Orthodox monastery. It is named after Saint Fana, also known as Saint Bane , an Egyptian Christian hermit...

  • Monastery of the Martyrs
    Monastery of the Martyrs
    The Monastery of Saint Ammonius, also known as the Monastery of the Martyrs, is a Coptic Orthodox monastery located on the desert ridge, about 6 Km northeast of the city of Akhmim in Sohag Governorate, and about 7 Km south of the Temple of Khnum at Esna...

  • Monastery of Saint Matthew the Potter
    Monastery of Saint Matthew the Potter
    The Monastery of Saint Matthew the Potter, also known as the Monastery of Saint Matthew the Poor, is a Coptic Orthodox monastery in Upper Egypt. It was founded by a Coptic monk of the same name. It is located in Luxor Governorate near the town of Naq 'al-Zinaiqa, about seven kilometers northwest of...

  • Red Monastery
    Red Monastery
    The Red Monastery is a Coptic Orthodox monastery named after an Egyptian saint called Pishay . It is located near the Upper Egyptian city of Souhag, and about four Km north west of the White Monastery...

  • White Monastery
    White Monastery
    The Coptic White Monastery is a Coptic Orthodox monastery named after Saint Shenouda the Archimandrite. It is located near the Upper Egyptian city of Sohag, and about four kilometers south east of the Red Monastery. The name of the monastery is derived from the color of the white limestone of its...

  • Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary, near Sohag
  • Monastery of St. Michael at as-Salamuni
  • Monastery of St. Thomas at Sawamiah Sharq
  • Monastery of St. Pachomius the Martyr
  • Monastery of St. Georges (Dair al-Hadid)
  • Monastery of St. Bisada
  • Monastery of the Seven Mountains at Bir al-'Ain
  • Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary, near Minya
  • Monastery of al-Sanquriya, near Oxyrhynchus
  • Monastery of Saint Apollo at Bawit, near Asyut (uninhabited)
  • Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary, near Asyut (Deir Dronka)
  • Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary (Muharraq)
  • The Hanging Monastery, near Asyut (Deir El-Mualaq)
  • Monastery at Qubbat al-Hawa, near Aswan
  • Monastery of St. Simeon, near Aswan (uninhabited)
  • Monastery of Archangel Gabriel, near Fayoum
  • Monastery of Saint Samuel, near Fayoum
  • Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary (Deir al-Hammam), near Fayoum
  • Monastery of Saint Georges, near Fayoum
  • Monastery of Prophet Jeremiah, near Saqqara (uninhabited)
  • Monastery of Abu Hinnis (St. John) South of Antinoe (uninhabited)
  • Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary, near Minya (uninhabited)
  • Naga ed-Deir (ancient monastery excavation site near just north of Girga)
  • Monastery of St. Pachomius, at Edfu
  • Monastery of St. Georges of Rozaikat, near Luxor
  • Monastery of Saint Pishoy at Deir El Barsha at Deir el-Bersha
    Deir el-Bersha
    Deir el-Bersha is a Coptic village in Middle Egypt. It is located on the east bank of the Nile in the al-Minya governorate, to the south of Antinopolis and almost opposite the city of Mallawi.-Overview:...

    , near Mallawi
    Mallawi
    Mallawi is a town in Egypt, located in the governorate of Minya.- Overview :Situated in a farm area, the town produces textiles and handicrafts.The total area of the city is about...

  • Monastery of Saint Pishoy at Armant, east of Armant

Cairo

  • Convent of St. Merkorius (Abu-Sefein)
  • Convent of St. Mary (Old Cairo)
  • Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner
  • Convent of St. Theodorus (El-Amir Tadrus, Haret el-Room)
  • Convent of St. Mary (Haret Zuela)
  • Convent of St. George (Haret Zuela)
  • Monastery of St. Barsoum El-Erian
  • Monastery of Saint Mina (Old Cairo)

Scetes (Natron Valley)

  • Monastery of Saint Macarius the Great
    Monastery of Saint Macarius the Great
    The Monastery of Saint Macarius is a Coptic Orthodox monastery located in Wadi El Natrun, Beheira Governorate, about 92 km north west of Cairo, and off the highway between Cairo and Alexandria.-Ancient History:...

  • Monastery of Saint Pishoy
    Monastery of Saint Pishoy
    The Monastery of Saint Pishoy in Wadi El Natrun , Beheira Governorate, Egypt, is the most famous Coptic Orthodox monastery named after Saint Pishoy. It is the easternmost monastery among the four current monasteries of the Nitrian Desert....

  • Paromeos Monastery
    Paromeos Monastery
    The Paromeos Monastery, also known as Baramos Monastery, is a Coptic Orthodox monastery located in Wadi El Natrun , Beheira Governorate, Egypt. It is the most northern monastery among the four current monasteries of Scetes, about 9 km northeast of the Monastery of Saint Pishoy...

  • Syrian Monastery
    Syrian Monastery
    The Syrian Monastery, also known as Suryan Monastery, is a Coptic Orthodox monastery located in Wadi El Natrun , Beheira Governorate, Egypt. It is located about 500 meters northwest of the Monastery of Saint Pishoy. Ecclesiastically, the monastery is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and carries her name...

  • Monastery of Saint John the Dwarf
    John the Dwarf
    Saint John the Dwarf , also called Saint John Colobus or Saint John Kolobos, was an Egyptian Desert Father of the early Christian church.-Life:John the Dwarf was born in the town of Basta in Egypt to poor Christian parents...

     (uninhabited)
  • Armenian
    Armenia
    Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...

     Monastery (uninhabited)
  • Monastery of Saint Moses the Black (uninhabited)

Lower Egypt

  • Monastery of Saint Mina
    Monastery of Saint Mina
    The Monastery of Saint Mina is a Coptic Orthodox monastery located in the Western Desert near Alexandria. The modern monastery is built close to the ruins of Abu Mena, the original pilgrimage site, which was destroyed by the Arabs during the Muslim conquest of Egypt of the mid-7th...

  • Convent of St. Damiana
  • Enaton Monastery between Alexandria and Mersa Matruh (uninhabited)

Diaspora

  • Monastery of Saint Anthony, Kröffelbach, Germany
    Germany
    Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

  • Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary and Saint Moses the Black, Sandia, Texas
    Texas
    Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...


See also

  • Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria
  • Desert Fathers
    Desert Fathers
    The Desert Fathers were hermits, ascetics, monks, and nuns who lived mainly in the Scetes desert of Egypt beginning around the third century AD. The most well known was Anthony the Great, who moved to the desert in 270–271 and became known as both the father and founder of desert monasticism...

  • Monastery
    Monastery
    Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...

  • Monasticism
    Monasticism
    Monasticism is a religious way of life characterized by the practice of renouncing worldly pursuits to fully devote one's self to spiritual work...

  • Monk
    Monk
    A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...

  • The Daughters of St. Mary
    The Daughters of St. Mary
    The Daughters of St. Mary is a Coptic community of nuns based in Beni Suef, Egypt.- History :Bishop Athanasius founded The Daughters of St. Mary during the feast of the Holy Cross with the blessing of then Patriarch Kyrillos VI, and initiated their first women in 1970...

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