In various movies, characters tired of life often pronounce the phrase "That's it, I'm leaving for the monastery!" What is a monastery and why do people change their usual way of life to monastic life?
The word "monastery" is of Greek origin and is translated as "community of monks." A monastery is a complex of buildings in which people who take a monastic vow live on a permanent basis. In addition to monks and novices in many monasteries, pilgrims can live for several days.
The first monasteries appeared in Palestine and Egypt in the 4th century, spreading rapidly throughout the world. In our country, the first monastery appeared in the 11th century. We are talking about the famous Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, which functions to this day. Lavra is a large monastery.
Monasteries are female, male and mixed. Life in the monastery proceeds according to the strictest charter, under the guidance of a spiritual rector. First of all, anyone who wants to spend his whole life in a monastery is obliged to take monasticism or a monastic vow. The monastic vow is to renounce all the benefits of civilization, to doom oneself to celibacy and, accordingly, to childlessness. The meaning of the life of a monk is to serve God, in enlightenment.
But before such a crucial step, a man who has gone to the monastery for some time should be a novice, then a half-monk. During this period, he can leave the monastery at any time. The novices are allowed to work and pray, to read spiritual literature. Each novice is assigned a spiritual mentor, who is obliged to prevent frivolous, reckless decisions of the novice.
Monasteries are funded by public and private sources. In addition, almost every monastery has its own economic support. In the monastic monasteries there are gardens, gardens, stockyards, daily giving food to the monks. Moreover, the food in the monasteries is rather scarce, and all fasting should be observed in full. But those who choose to devote themselves to the service of God are not afraid of such restrictions. After all, monks by vocation make a choice in favor of spiritual rather than material life.
- Monasticism
- Monastery Stories
