Authority over monks, monks' data collection, monastery tourism

The Holy Synod decided the following:

1. It is not permissible for any of the Bishops or Priests to ordain a monk or a nun, except for a monastery recognised by the Church, and this must be with the permission of the Abbot of the monastery, or the Bishop of the monastery, or His Holiness the Pope.

Likewise, it is not permissible to promote a monk to a rank of priesthood, except by or with the permission of the Abbot, or Bishop, or His Holiness the Pope.

A monk is not deprived of priesthood, or of the ritual of monasticism, except by the Abbot, or Bishop, or His Holiness the Pope. There must be serious reasons to take these ecclesiastical procedures.

2. The exchange of news between monasteries, about the monks who are under a certain penalty. This is sent to the Secretary of the Holy Synod to contact the Bishops.
3. It is not permissible for a church to allow a strange monk to perform the service of the Liturgy, or to raise incense in it, unless the church is certain of the validity of the priesthood, and has a letter from the Bishop declaring this.
4. It is not permissible for a family to allow a strange monk to lodge in their home, and it is advisable to transfer him to the nearest Church or Episcopate.
5. A list of the monks who are currently serving in the Diocese will be sent to the Secretariat of the Synod.
6. It is not permissible for a Diocesan Bishop to appoint a monk to serve in the Diocese, or even only promise him to serve in the Diocese, except after he has the permission of His Holiness the Pope and the Abbot of the monastery.
7. Create a constitution or convention for monasteries, prepared by the Monasteries Committee based on specific elements, sent to the members of the Committee to make a draft Constitution.
8. A monk does not live with his family in the countryside or cities.
9. Obtaining a list of the names of the monks who live outside their monasteries in a non-monastic situation, questioning them about their situation and making decisions about them.
10. Each monastery makes a record of the monks and their data on special forms, prepared by the Secretariat of the Holy Synod. A copy of the transcript of each monastery, along with any new data, is sent to the Synod Secretariat to keep it in the archives of the Holy Synod.
11. Record a statement of the monasteries of monks and nuns in Egypt recognised by the Church at the date of this meeting.
12. The register of monks for each monastery should include the following items:

a.     the current name of the monk;

b.     the name as a layperson before monasticism;

c.     his occupation before monasticism;

d.     his social status before monasticism (is he a widower or not, is he the son of a second marriage for one of his parents, and what is the position of priesthood for him in the future);

e.     his date of birth;

f.      his homeland;

g.     the date of his monasticism;

h.     the priestly ranks he obtained and their dates;

i.      his job in the monastery;

j.      his service if he served outside the monastery;

k.     his health status;

l.      his scientific and theological culture;

m.   the name of his father of confession before monasticism; and

n.     any other notes.

13. Not accepting monks who roam outside the monasteries, pass through the house and cause unlimited problems. Therefore, it is not appropriate to accept monks visiting homes, without written permission from the monastery or from the Patriarchate. The same applies to those who collect donations.
14. Attention to the tourism status of monasteries culturally, meaning that each monastery issues a book in Arabic and other languages such as English, French and German. This book will be provided with coloured pictures of the churches of this monastery, icons and the Coptic and monastic monuments it contains. It also contributes to introducing foreigners and Egyptians as well to the monastery.
15. Making a book about the Coptic Church, and to be suitable for distribution to tourists in monasteries, to introduce them to the Coptic Church.
16. Translations of Coptic literature into foreign languages, such as translating books and works of His Holiness, Pope Shenouda III, to familiarise foreigners with the teachings, thought, and spirituality of the Coptic Church.
17. Production of an elegant book on the drawings of Pope Makarios III, on crosses and Coptic letters.
18. Creating a book entitled “Coptic Monasticism”, which will be a tourist book with pictures, and on elegant, glossy paper.
19. Opening of a museum for each monastery, with its ruins.
20. Opening an exhibition of monastic products.
21. Not accepting the requirement for a monk to leave and serve in a particular diocese, before entering the monastery.
22. The test period for the applicant for monasticism should not be less than a year. It can extend to three years. The applicant for monasticism shall take a leave without salary from his job for a period of one year if possible, and it is preferred that during this year, the attire of the advanced beginner of monasticism not be worn.
23. Attention should be paid to educating the monks, and conducting spiritual meetings for them.