Coptic Monastic Initiation Rituals: To “Die” and Live in Christ

Abstract

In this article I describe and analyze Coptic monastic initiation rites in relation to Arnold van Gennep’s theory of rites of passage (consisting of the three stages of separation, liminality, and reintegration). I look at how ritual practice and performativity are an intrinsic part to the Coptic monastic understanding of “dying” to the world. A monk is believed to “forsake” the “worldly” and live as a consecrated vessel for Jesus Christ. In Durkheimian terms, this means that the realm of the sacred is isolated from that which is profane. An anthropological investigation of Coptic monastic initiation rites and practices is both useful and necessary as it helps one to (re)consider how the sacred and the profane are juxtaposed to each other through the lens of Coptic monasticism. Consequently, this article aims to discuss aspects of Coptic monasticism which have generally been understudied in the social sciences. By analyzing Coptic monastic initiation rites and practices in particular, one is able to better understand how Coptic monks conceptualize their vocational life today.