Chapter 5. Monks and Monasteries

Decisions regarding monasteries in Akhmim and Fayoum

Original Arabic Text

Based on the recommendations of the Monasteries Committee and the approval of His Holiness the Pope, the Holy Synod decided the following:

  1. Regarding the Monastery of St Mary in Hawawish:

    2. a.     The ordination of the monks Abanoub and Gerges of Akhmim as priests, provided that the first is an aide to the monastery’s secretary, appointed by His Holiness the Pope, knowing that he does this work at the present time.

    b.     Assigning temporary supervision of the monastery to His Grace Bishop Abram of Fayoum, provided that this is followed up in the next session of the Holy Synod, God willing.

  2. Regarding the Monastery of St. Thomas:

a.     The Monastery of St. Thomas was placed under the temporary supervision of His Grace Bishop Abram and will be followed up in the next meeting of the Holy Synod.

b.     Issuing an order for the Father Abram El-Samueli to ascertain the monastery's properties and register them in the name of His Holiness the Pope.

c.     In the case of registering the monastery’s properties in the name of the Church, the three candidates are sent to the Monastery of Archangel Gabriel in Fayoum, to put them on probation for a sufficient period and then temporarily become monks in this monastery, before sending them to the Monastery of St. Thomas to organise the spiritual life inside the monastery and contribute to the management of internal affairs.

d.     Follow-up of the monastery’s status, both spiritually and administratively, before returning to monastic life to it.

e.     His Holiness the Pope indicated the importance of ascertaining the properties of the current monasteries, and monasteries that were not recognised, ascertaining their properties for the Church, so as not to get lost.