Coptic Monasticism

     Coptic Christians have historically viewed monasticism- or living a religious life separated from secular society, with great favorability. Monastic life- living as a monk or nun- was, and still is, held in high esteem. There is much respect for all monastics, from past to present.  There is not much information available about the beginning of Coptic (Egyptian) monasticism as it began somewhere in the beginning of the 300s. However, the massive growth of monasticism throughout Egypt throughout the fourth century finds its roots in the rapid growth of Christianity in the region. The Holy See of Alexandria soon developed to the point where it controlled the churches in Egypt. However, we lack information as to how the church grew and became organized. St. Athanasius would soon relate the life of St. Antony who is considered as one of the forerunners of the monastic movement in Egypt. Even if he was not the first monk, he was the first influential and most popular monastic from that time period. While remaining as part of the Church, men and women were to withdraw from society so that they would become less distracted, allowing them to grow closer to God (Sheridan, 10, 13-14, 17). 

    These individuals who would become known as the Desert Mothers and Fathers freely gave up their lives in society and all of the pleasures that came with them, to encounter God in the desert through unceasing prayer. Temptation was to be wrestled with and monastics were to overcome themselves in order find abundant life in God. Originally, desert monastics would live lives of solitude in the desert where they prayed by themselves. However, between 361 and 363 AD, St. Pachomius founded the first monastery as a community where monks would live together. This monastery was called St. Anthony Monastery and is located near the Red Sea. It still exists today as the oldest Christian monastery in the world. Monks and nuns spent most of their time praying and fasting (Coptic Monasticism). They would also sometimes grow crops or spin cloth in order to live self-sufficient lives. Sayings of the Desert Mothers and Fathers can still be found today as compilations. There are many books devoted to their lives. I have found great wisdom from these monastic sayings and highly recommend all to read them. Check your favorite bookstore if they have anything about this subject that interests you. I love this topic; it is just unfortunate that we lack much of the historic detail of this important event in Christian history. The Coptic Monastics set the stage for monasticism to grow throughout the rest of the Christian world and is still prevalent among Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christians today. Without the Copts, monasticism would not be what it historically has been and how it exists today. Peace!


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