Questions & Answers

Monasticism/Monastic Life

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › The Church › Monasticism/Monastic Life

The question

Can a non-Coptic Orthodox enter a Coptic monastery? For example, can an Ethiopian Orthodox or Eritrean Orthodox Christian enter a Coptic monastery?

The answer

Coptic Orthodoxy, whether laity or monastics, is not defined by race or ethnicity, but by devotion to the Holy Trinity and adherence to the Church doctrine. As long as you are a member of the Oriental Orthodox Church, you may join any Coptic Orthodox Monastery.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

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Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 2587 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.