Monasticism originated in Egypt when Saint Pachomious, a Copt from Upper Egypt, established the first communal living in the Monastery of St Anthony in the Red Sea, the oldest monastery in the world. This was in the 4th century AD.
It was during this time that Constantine accepted Christianity as the main Roman religion, therefore the end of persecution meant that martyrdom was no longer an option, instead, long-term monasticism became the common way for Christians to prove their love for God. For the monks, monasticism was the life of prayer, contemplation, solitude, worship and purity of heart. They had nothing in their minds, hearts and feelings except God alone. They lived the calm and quiet life, abiding in the Lord, detaching themselves from everything and everyone, to be attached to Him alone.
Monasticism took three main forms, all of which are still to be found in the Church today:
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Currently, there are Coptic Orthodox monasteries in Egypt, America, Australia and Europe, all of which have been recognised at the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church. There are currently 33 Coptic monasteries with a total of more than 1,000 monks, and six convents with about 300 nuns. The largest monasteries, and most famous, are at Wadi Natroun about 60 miles northwest of Cairo.