Why does the bishop cut hair from readers' heads during their ordination?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

The cutting of hair during the ordination of a Reader is a liturgical act rich with symbolic meaning. In the Coptic Orthodox Church, when the Bishop ordains a young man to this rank, he cuts five locks of hair in the form of a cross.

This practice is rooted in the following theological and historical reasons:

1. The Offering of a Sacrifice

Hair is often considered a symbol of human beauty and strength (as seen in the story of Samson). By offering his hair, the candidate is symbolically offering his entire life and his "ornaments" to God. It is a sacrifice of the self, indicating that the individual is no longer his own but belongs to the service of the Church.

2. The Shape of the Cross

The Bishop cuts the hair in five places: the center of the head and the four sides (front, back, left, and right). This forms the sign of the Cross. This signifies that the candidate is now under the protection and authority of the Cross and that his mind and thoughts must be consecrated to Christ.

3. The Number Five

The five locks of hair represent the five wounds of our Lord on the Cross (the two nails in His hands, the two in His feet, and the spear in His side). This reminds the Reader that his service is linked to the suffering and glory of the Savior.

4. Renewal and Shedding of the "Old Man"

In the Coptic tradition, cutting hair is a form of "tonsure." Just as hair grows back, the act of cutting it signifies the shedding of worldly cares and the "old man" to be clothed in the newness of spiritual service. It is a sign of humility and the beginning of a life of discipline.

5. A Nazarite Vow

The practice draws a spiritual parallel to the Nazarite vow in the Old Testament, where the hair was a sign of being set apart (consecrated) for God's purposes. While a Reader remains in the world, his spirit is "set apart" to read the Holy Scriptures and the lives of the martyrs to the congregation.

The Liturgical Process

During the ordination, as the Bishop cuts each lock, he says:

• "In the name of the Father..." (Bishop cuts the first lock)
• "...and the Son..." (Bishop cuts the second lock)
• "...and the Holy Spirit..." (Bishop cuts the third lock)

The congregation responds with Amen. This confirms that the act is done by the authority of the Holy Trinity. By this act, the young man is officially entered into the "Book of the Clergy" and begins his journey in the ranks of the diaconate.