What is a monastery? Valaam Monastery: where it is and how to get there. Who are monks: general information

To modern man monasteries often introduce themselves mysterious objects: guardians Orthodox traditions, holders of historical secrets, visually attractive architectural and artistic complexes. Some are drawn to monasteries by simple curiosity, the desire to see, feel, comprehend something new, unknown in the turmoil of worldly life.

Others visiting monastery, they hope to feel the special atmosphere of the place where monastic prayer is offered, which is marked by the Lord God, his grace. Moreover, every year more and more more people go to monasteries with a clear and conscious desire to pray at miraculous and especially revered icons, venerate them, as well as holy relics, honorable remains, other shrines and relics, go to a holy spring and drink its water, immerse yourself in the waters of a holy lake, visit in those places where the earthly life of Orthodox saints took place. Think and compare your, our and their righteous lives.

Monasteries have been and remain spiritual and religious centers of exceptional importance, significant centers of social service, vibrant centers of culture, education, and religious art. And in the past, they often also performed responsible military and defensive functions, if life circumstances required it. Sometimes monasteries They also had to perform punitive functions, somewhat similar to the activities of prison institutions. Monastic complexes have always been and remain a fertile place for architectural and construction work, and today they are also a large-scale site for repair and restoration work.

Life monasteries at the same time simple and extremely complex. Absolutely every monastery has an interesting, instructive history of its creation and life. Each monastery lives according to strict monastic rules, and no one is allowed to violate them. Religious, social, economic activity form the essence of the life of any monastery.

Monasteries are spiritual strongholds of Orthodoxy. They provide an opportunity to touch with the soul the springs of Russian holiness, give a thinking person a surge of new strength for a decent life, serving Orthodoxy and one’s Fatherland. Visiting monasteries brings peace, quiet joy, and tranquility to the soul. As the Hieromartyr Archpriest John Vostorgov said: “Monasteries are like reserve reservoirs of living water of religious inspiration; they nourish and moisten the parched deserts of the spirit of worldly life, they give life-giving and saving moisture to thirsty souls.”

In many Orthodox monasteries there are miraculous and revered icons of the Lord, the Mother of God, saints, as well as holy relics and honorable remains, various shrines and relics. It is in monasteries that the canons of Orthodox doctrine are observed with the greatest precision.

Here the liturgical canon is observed especially strictly, the Christian sacraments permitted in monasteries are performed, all Orthodox rituals are performed, the glorification of saints is preserved, and the main events are celebrated with extreme solemnity. church holidays(Easter, Twelfth Feasts: Nativity of Christ, Trinity Day, Presentation of the Lord, Baptism, Transfiguration of the Lord, Palm Sunday, Ascension, Exaltation, Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Entry into the Temple of the Virgin Mary, Annunciation, Dormition, then Great Feasts: Circumcision of the Lord, Nativity of John the Baptist , Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, Beheading of John the Baptist, Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary), as well as patronal feasts (feasts dedicated to Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, saints, miraculous icons, events sacred history, in whose honor the temple or its throne was built), fasts are most strictly observed (in the Orthodox church calendar about 200 days are occupied by fasts).

Visiting Orthodox monasteries provides an opportunity to perform Christian sacraments and rituals.

The Orthodox Church recognizes seven sacraments (cult actions): baptism, communion, repentance (confession), anointing, marriage, consecration of oil, priesthood, through which the invisible grace of God is communicated to believers. In monasteries, baptisms and weddings are not performed (except for rare exceptions). The most important Orthodox rituals: prayer, cult of icons, worship of the cross, cult of relics (various objects that belonged to Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, apostles, saints and possessing miraculous powers), cult of relics (the remains of the dead, which turned out to be incorruptible and possessing the gift of miracles), holy places ( associated with events in church history) - usually done when traveling to monasteries.

Many Orthodox monasteries their history, religious and social service are associated with earthly life saints In accordance with the canons of Orthodoxy, saints are mediators between God and people, heavenly patrons of those living on earth; believers turn to them asking for help in earthly affairs. Glorifying the saints, the Russian Orthodox Church distinguishes among them the prophets, apostles, saints, martyrs, saints, the righteous, the unmercenaries, and the blessed. Getting to know the earthly lives of saints, reading the Lives of the Saints, and in some cases studying their written heritage, thinking about the events of their lives, stereotypes of thoughts, actions, teachings provide rich soil for moral improvement thinking person. At the same time, it must be remembered that in the Russian Orthodox Church canonization is not a form of encouragement (including posthumous) or a form of recognition of the merits of church leaders. Glorification as a saint is, first of all, a calling to serve people. With the experience of their earthly life, with their wisdom, Russian saints suggest to Russians a worthy path for their lives, actions, and actions. Arriving at a monastery, the history of which is connected with the earthly life of one or another saint or several saints, you learn more about his (their) life, you comprehend the basics of wisdom to a greater extent, you become spiritually purer and stronger.

Making a trip to the Orthodox monastery, you need to strictly follow a number of simple rules.

Clothing should be simple. Women should wear modest dresses with skirt length below the knees. Open dresses and sweaters with a deep neckline and short sleeves, as well as shorts and trousers, are unacceptable. Women must enter the monastery with their heads covered (preferably in a discreet headscarf or modest cap; pompous hats are undesirable). When heading to the monastery, women should not wear cosmetics, especially lipstick.

Believers, entering the monastery and each of its churches, sign themselves with the sign of the cross. Upon entering the temple, it is customary to bow to locally revered shrines: miraculous icons, relics. After prayer, you can venerate the icon, but you cannot kiss the face. It is customary for the Savior to kiss the foot, Mother of God and saints - a hand or the edge of a robe, a corner of an icon. If the icon contains a reliquary, then it is usually applied to the holy relics. When approaching a shrine with holy relics, they most often do two prostrations, applied to the head or foot of the shrine. Having walked away, they make one bow to the ground. You are allowed to place an icon of the saint, a rosary, an amulet, or another relic on the saint’s shrine in order to consecrate them on the holy relics. An icon purchased in a temple - a copy of a miraculous icon - can also be consecrated by attaching it to the miraculous icon. Some bring with them family heirlooms - panagias, medallions with images of saints, etc. They can also be attached to a miraculous icon or holy relics.

In monasteries, some shrines - consecrated oil from lamps, earth from revered graves, incense, icons, etc. - are distributed free of charge. In such cases, it is customary to make feasible donations to the monastery.

In monastery churches, as a rule, there are boxes and trays for donations for their decoration, repair, restoration, and improvement.

In many monasteries, photography, filming, and working with a video camera is permitted only under the conditions established by the abbot of the monastery (usually a moderate fee). Photographing monks and clergy is permitted only with their consent; If this rule is not followed, the consequences may vary.

All of the above applies to everyone monasteries Russia, including monasteries near Moscow - an important part of the network of religious centers in our country. Within the walls of monasteries near Moscow, a special atmosphere is felt, a special sense of time is preserved; the history and life of everyone are inseparable from the history of our country. The history of Rus' and Russia can be studied and explained by talking about the monasteries near Moscow. The church history of Russia is inextricably linked with the fate of the monasteries located near Moscow. By the end of the 13th century. monastic life in Southwestern Rus' began to weaken, although the real beginning of Russian Orthodox monasticism was laid there by Anthony of Pechersk, who, upon arriving from Athos in Kiev, made his home in a deep cave, among uninhabited forests. Russian Orthodox monasticism, brought to us from the East, is now more than a thousand years ago, at the beginning of the 14th century. in South-Western Rus' has noticeably lost ground.

It was then, in the conditions of the rise of Moscow in the 14th century. over other cities and principalities, by that time Russian monasticism, which had partially weakened its position, was revived on new historical soil through the forces and labors of St. Sergius of Radonezh on the land near Moscow, and already during his lifetime allowed him and his closest disciples and followers to create more than 20 monasteries. Sergius of Radonezh became for North-Eastern Rus' (then Russia) what the Monk Anthony of Pechersk was for Kyiv and the entire monasticism of South-Western Rus'. In Moscow and the Moscow region since the 14th century. a powerful process of creating monasteries began, which ensured the spiritual and moral health, fortitude and courage of the Muscovites, the ability of our predecessors to stand and defend their freedom and independence.

It should be especially noted that tangible successes in the development of the Moscow principality, then the Russian state, began precisely when the process of creating Orthodox monasteries in Moscow and the Moscow region became stronger, when convinced Orthodox Russian people who felt help and spiritual support in historical monasteries and contributed to the increase in their number.

Nowadays, when the number of monasteries and the number of monastic brethren is growing again throughout Russia, and especially in Moscow and the Moscow region, the words of Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus' sound prophetic and set one in an optimistic creative mood: “Russian monasticism is gaining strength. This means that Russia will also survive. A people who has eternal, enduring guidelines is invincible.” Monasticism, the monasteries of the Moscow region are making their worthy contribution to the revival of Russia, to its positive development in the new historical realities beginning of the XXI V. The period of atheistic hard times and destruction of Russia has ended, the end of the suffering of the people of a great country, which will certainly have a happy future, is visible. The Russian saint Seraphim of Sarov prophesied: “The Lord will have mercy on Russia and lead it through suffering to great glory.”

Absolutely all the prophecies of Seraphim of Sarov came true - which means this too will come true. The monasteries near Moscow modestly and outwardly imperceptibly contribute to the approaching prosperity of our great Motherland - Russia.

Of the 143 million Russians, 123 million people (86%) are the Orthodox contingent, of which 60% are people of working age (74 million people in total, including 50 million people aged 20-49 years, t i.e. 35% of the total population of Russia). If each of them does something truly useful for our compatriots in terms of education, then there will be fewer ignorant and half-educated people in Russia, evil and narrow-minded, greedy and selfishly minded people who once lacked true knowledge about the great, including the Orthodox , the history of our country, deprived of a wealth of knowledge about the effective lights of virtue and powerful sources of moral and spiritual strength and health - Orthodox monasteries.

I really hope that young, energetic, kind and positive-minded people will make their worthy contribution to studying, explaining, and promoting the importance of monasteries near Moscow in the lives of Russians. They will work, study, expand their horizons and will certainly restore and greatly increase the glory and authority of their beautiful Motherland - Russia.

"Monasteries of the Moscow Region". V.G. Glushkova, LLC publishing house "Veche", 2008

Matho Monastery was founded by Lama Dugpa Dorje at the very beginning of the 16th century - this is the only Ladakh monastery that once belonged to the Sakya-pa sect, one of the schools of Buddhism. It is located 30 kilometers from the city of Leh, opposite the Tiksi monastery (on the opposite bank of the Indus).

The monastery gained worldwide fame thanks to its excellent ancient thangkas (they are more than four hundred years old) and the Matho Nagranp festival.

Thangkas and a rare collection of 16th-century clothing are displayed in the monastery museum, and the festival takes place in late February - early March. Numerous pilgrims and tourists try to get there, because it is at this time that they can ask exciting questions to two selected oracle monks, who, according to the stories of local residents, after a long period of fasting and meditation, fall into a trance.

The culmination of the holiday is the monks walking blindfolded along the parapet of the monastery and predicting the future.

Shey Monastery

A Buddha statue measuring three floors, covered with five kilograms of gold... You can see this miracle by visiting the Shey Monastery in the city of Leh.

The huge statue, 12 meters high, occupies almost the entire monastery, namely its three floors. On the first floor there are the feet of the Buddha, “with their soles pointing upward”, on the second - the body, and on the third - the head of the Great One, surrounded by lamps that burn constantly as a sign of the purity and divinity of the place.

The walls of the entire temple from the inside are completely decorated with frescoes and paintings. They depict Buddha in all the diversity of his lives and rebirths.

Next to the monastery there is a field on which local residents cremation of the dead is carried out. First, the monks perform a funeral service for the deceased at home according to special rituals, then they burn him and the ashes are scattered over the water while the lamas sing.

Shey Monastery is also the epicenter of two major holidays of the year. The first takes place in July-August and marks the beginning of the sowing of the crop. On this day, residents of the surrounding villages come to the monastery, and the monks perform special rituals to ensure that the harvest is good. The second holiday is harvest day. The villagers bring part of their harvest to the monastery as a gift for the next planting season.

Alchi Monastery

One of the oldest Buddhist monasteries is located 69 kilometers from Leh.

Alchi Monastery was built in the 11th century. Later, five more were added to the main temple, which were built at the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th centuries. The temple complex includes a huge Buddha statue, wooden carvings and decorations, and many magnificent sculptures and paintings. The artistic and spiritual characteristics of Buddhism and Hinduism intertwined under the Kashmiri kings, as a result of which the paintings of the monastery are especially interesting.

The monastery consists of six main buildings: three of them of earlier construction are the Dukhang, or main temple, where lamas gather for religious ceremonies. The Sum-tseg, or three-tiered temple, and the Big and Small Chorten. Later buildings include the Manjushri Temple (Jampal Lha-khang) and Lotsawa Lha-khang (Temple of the Translator), Soma Lha-khang and Kanjur Lha-khang temples adjacent to the Sum-tsegu temple.

Thikse Monastery

Not far from the city of Leh, on a hill, rises the Thikse monastery, made in the best traditions of Ladakh architecture and art.

Immediately at the entrance, visitors are greeted by a hurde wheel. Inside it are miraculous mantras, and everyone who comes must turn the wheel for the well-being of the entire area and himself.

Having gone inside the monastery, you find yourself in the old gompa, and then in the holy of holies - the Hall of Donators, Dharma Defenders, where services, rituals are held, and lamas pray. The walls are decorated with elaborate frescoes. Unfortunately for tourists, the figures of the Dharma Defenders are hidden from the eyes of visitors, since it is believed that outside the sacred place of the ceremony, spirits can cause irreparable harm to all living things and disturb the peace of the world.

From the second floor of the monastery a picturesque panorama of the surrounding area opens.

The gompa has a small library where sacred texts and teachings of Buddhists are stored. There is also a shop where you can buy incense and herbs collected in the area.

Phyang Monastery

Imagine hundreds of people in traditional Indian clothes dancing in the middle of the city. People in stunningly beautiful masks or masks depicting monsters. The whole city takes part in the celebration, and you too are a participant in this action. This is all a festival at Phyang Monastery, which is the second most important religious festival in India.

It doesn't matter whether you are Buddhist or not, but what is happening will definitely amaze you. Bright colors, national music, traditional costumes will not leave indifferent even the most experienced viewer.

The Phyang monastery itself is located in the village of the same name. Tourists will be very pleased with the fact that there are many places to stay there, as well as affordable prices.

Spithu Monastery

Spithu Monastery (Jammu and Kashmir) or, as it is also called, Spituk Gompa, was built almost 550 years ago in the vicinity of the Indian city of Ladakh, on one of the rocks overlooking the village of Spituk. There are two ancient temples here, one of which is over 900 years old. According to legend, the name of the monastery means “ exemplary" It was meant that the monastic community would live and serve here, setting an example for others. Or, on the contrary, is already an example.

In the temples of the monastery you can see a variety of relics - weapons, collections of masks, canonical texts, frescoes, images of deities on the walls, statues of Buddha, gods and goddesses. And in fact big temple Gonkhang, towering above the rest, houses tantric masks. They are still used today during the main festival of Gurstor in midwinter, which ends with the sacrifice of a sacred cake.

Ridzong Monastery

The history of Ridzong Monastery begins when Lama Tsultim Nima came here in the 18th century. He retired to a cave for meditation, and he liked these places so much that he stayed, creating a small hermitage. Many monks learned about the Lama and began to come to him and ask for teachings. Soon the monastery became small, and Lama Tsultim Nima decided to build a monastery.

The place was not chosen by chance - there was everything necessary here: water, fuel and numerous caves where the monks could meditate.

At the moment, the monastery consists of three main buildings, two of which contain Buddha statues, and the third a stupa. In the very center of Ridzong Monastery there is a reliquary where the relics of the abbot are kept.

Subordinate to the monastery is the Julichen convent. Ridzong tells them what kind of help they need, and the women do the assigned work, free time giving to meditation and the study of philosophical teachings.

Ridzong is still famous for its strict rules, which make the monks very sensitive and flexible.

Hemis Monastery

Hemis Monastery has never been the most beautiful and picturesque or the largest. However, his name is known not only in India, but throughout the world.

The monastery is known for its legends and colorful holidays held within its walls. One such festival is the festival dedicated to the birth of Padmasambhava. It is believed that he lived to improve the level of spirituality of people. Padmasambhav was born on the tenth day of the fifth month of the year of the monkey, which means that the festival is held once every 12 years. During the festival, an altar is created on which people coming They bring gifts: holy water, rice, incense sticks and incense. Musicians play traditional musical instruments, and monks perform a ritual dance that identifies them with enlightened beings.

The last festival took place in June 2009, that is, the next one will take place only in 2021, but the monastery is interesting to visit just like that, when it is quiet and deserted, and the atmosphere is conducive to peace and meditation.

Buddhist monastery Sankar Gompa

Sankar Gompa is a Buddhist monastery located near the center of Leh.

The monastery is located on a hill in a picturesque place: on one side it is surrounded by trees, and on the other the hill is connected to Shayok and the Nubra Valley. The monastery is relatively small - twenty monks live here, only a few of whom are in the building permanently.

For tourists who are interested in Indian culture, the monastery is open for only a few hours in the morning and evening, so it is better to plan your visit in advance. In the evening, the monastery appears in its special beauty, which is given to it by the rays of the setting sun.

Likir Monastery

Likir was founded in the 11th century by Tibetan monks. The main attraction of the monastery is the huge gilded statue of Buddha - Maitreya. It is located in the courtyard of the monastery. Another feature of Likir is the museum which contains medieval weapons, musical instruments, jewelry, historical documents, thangkas, coins, Ladakhi costumes and utensils belonging to the kings of Ladakh.

But first of all, Likir is a monastery. 150 monks live here, who in their free time from prayers conduct tours of the monastery.

Tsemo Monastery

Namgyal Tsemo Monastery (Namgyal Tsemo gompa) is a Buddhist monastery located in Leh.

Namgyal Tsemo was built in the 14th century by order of King Tashi Namgyal, who is depicted in one of the many frescoes of the monastery. Namgyal Tsemo also has a large collection of ancient books.

Namgyal Tsemo Gompa is the main monastery of Leh. First of all, it is famous for the statue of Maitreya Buddha (or Buddha of the Future), the size of which is comparable to a three-story house. The monastery is decorated with prayer flags and is especially beautiful in the morning hours, which are ideal for meditation and watching the dawn.

However, tourists should be aware that climbing the mountain is not an easy task, so it is necessary to prepare for visiting the monastery in advance.

Sights of Lech

Monasteries have an important place in the Orthodox life of Rus'. The distinctive features of the monasteries are:

• serving by faith and truth to God and the church;
• renunciation of worldly vanity;
• participation in religious services;
• performing work tasks related to everyday life;
• participation in construction work aimed at restoring church buildings.

List of monasteries operating in Russia: distinctive features, functions

The main feature of monastic life is the strict observance by novices of rules and vows, the fulfillment of which is the right way know yourself, receive the blessing of the Lord.

Among the men's monasteries, one can highlight active monasteries, which are visited by pilgrims to venerate the miraculous icons. Many of the faces, such as the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery, became known thanks to their placement in art galleries. And in the Pskov-Pechersk Church they keep the icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God.

Russian monasteries are known as monuments of ancient architecture and the history of Christianity.

For many monasteries, attracting new novices is considered important. And there are many people who would like to escape from everyday worries.

Before you decide to go to monasteries that accept you, you need to understand yourself. Everyone must understand whether he is able to:

• be humble and patient;
• work daily with soul and body;
• give up worldly vanity, bad habits;
• to sincerely love God and neighbors.

Life in a monastery is hard, suitable for those who truly believe. Before becoming a monk, a person will have to go through several stages.

At first he becomes a laborer, working in the garden, cleaning rooms, strictly following the rules of life in the monastery.

And only three years later, at the request of the worker, he is transferred to novices. Monastic tonsure is accepted by those who have been able to confirm by deeds their readiness to become a monk. A man who wants to work in monasteries must fill out a form on the website of the chosen temple before the trip.

There are monasteries for the treatment of alcoholics on a voluntary basis. Within the walls of the temple, the man will try to cope with the problem himself. Some monasteries have created and operate rehabilitation centers, where they influence the broken psyche of the drinker.

Over time, the life of a person who once suffered from alcoholism returns to normal. He is constantly busy and has no time to lead an idle life. Work helps to achieve complete recovery.

Prayer for drunkenness

Full list monasteries consists of:

1. Alexander-Athos Zelenchuk male desert in Karachay-Cherkessia.
2. Ambrosiev Nikolaevsky Dudin Monastery Yaroslavl region.
3. Artemiev-Verkolsky Monastery Arkhangelsk region.
4. Annunciation Ion-Yashezersky Monastery.
5. Bogolyubskaya male monastery of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
6. Vysokopetrovsky Monastery in Moscow.
7. Hermogenian male desert.
8. Gethsemane men's monastery Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
9. Zaikonospassky Monastery in the city of Moscow.
10. Zaonikievskaya Mother of God-Vladimir men's hermitage Vologda region.
11. Innokentyevsky men's monastery Irkutsk.
12. Michael-Arkhangelsk Ust-Vymsky Monastery in the Komi Republic.
13. Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Monastery on the island of Lake Ladoga .
14. St. Michael Athos Monastery Adygea.
15. Gabriel-Arkhangelsk Metochion city ​​of Blagoveshchensk.
16. Nikitsky Monastery in Pereslavl-Zalessky.
17. Nilo-Stolobenovskaya desert Tver diocese.
18. Nikolo-Shartomsky Monastery Ivanovo region.
19. St. Nicholas Tikhon Monastery Kineshma and Palekh diocese.
20. Holy Ascension Monastery of Kremen on the Don.
21. Alatyr Holy Trinity Hermitage.
22. Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
23. Spaso-Kukotsky Monastery.
24. Holy Dormition Pskov-Pechersky Monastery.
25. Florishchevoy male desert.
26. Yuryev Monastery.
27. Yaratsky Prophetic Monastery.

The list of active men's monasteries in Russia includes both small monasteries and large laurels, known to everyone Orthodox world. Many temples, once destroyed, are being restored and restored.

The largest is the most popular monastery Trinity-Sergius Lavra, protected by UNESCO as a unique architectural monument.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, video

The oldest is the Holy Dormition Pskov-Pechersky Monastery, founded at the end of the 15th century. Together with the fatherland, the walls of the monastery withstood the onslaught of the conquerors, preserving the wealth of the iconostasis.

Many monasteries are located in picturesque places, far from big cities. It’s not for nothing that some of them are called deserts.

Monasteries attract not only those who want to change their lives, but also tourists as excellent examples of Russian Orthodox culture.

Who are the monks, where do they live and what clothes do they wear? What makes them choose such a difficult path? These questions are of interest not only to those who are planning to enter a monastery. What is known about people who voluntarily renounced worldly pleasures and devoted themselves to worship?

Monastery - what is it?

First, it’s worth figuring out where the monks live. The term “monastery” came into our language from Greek. This word means "alone, lonely" and is used to refer to communities or people who choose to be alone. A monastery is a religious gathering of people who have taken a vow of celibacy and withdrawn from society.

Traditionally, the monastery has a complex of buildings, which includes church, utility and residential premises. They are used depending on the needs of the community. Also, each monastery determines its own charter, which all members of the religious community must follow.

Today, several types of monasteries have survived in which monastic life can take place. The Lavra is a large monastery that is part of the Orthodox Church. Kinovia is a Christian community that has a community charter. An abbey is a Catholic church that is subordinate to a bishop or even directly to the pope. There are also monastic villages called deserts, which are located far from the main monastery.

Historical reference

Knowing the history of the origin of monasteries will help you better understand who the monks are. Nowadays, monasteries can be found in many countries of the world. It is believed that they began to appear since the spread of Christianity, which happened in the third century AD. The first monks were people who left cities into the wilderness and led the life of ascetics; then they were called hermits. Egypt is the birthplace of monasticism; it was in this country that the first monastery appeared in the 4th century thanks to Pachomius the Great.

Soon after this, monasteries arose first in Palestine, and then in European countries. The first monastic communities in the West were created through the efforts of Athanasius the Great. The fathers of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra in Rus' were Anthony and Theodosius of Pechersk.

Who are monks: general information

It's time to get to the fun part. Who are monks is a question that fascinates many people. This is the name given to those who voluntarily rejected worldly joys and devoted their lives to worship. Monasticism is a calling, not a choice; it is not surprising that only a select few become monks, while everyone else leaves the monastery walls.

Becoming a monk is available not only to men, but also to women. The latter can also settle in a monastery after making the necessary vows. There were times when there were no monasteries or monasteries. This practice was introduced in 1504, it was then that joint monasteries were abolished in Rus'.

Life of monks

The above describes who the monks are. What kind of life do people lead who have followed their calling and dedicated themselves to God? To be tonsured does not mean that a person ends life on earth. It continues to satisfy the need for sleep and food. Of course, each monk has his own duties, working for the benefit of people or the monastery, which is called obedience.

Obedience is the work that the inhabitants of the monastery do when they are free from worship. It is divided into economic and educational. By economic work we mean that which is aimed at maintaining order in the monastery. What kind of work the monk is engaged in is decided by the abbot. Educational work is prayers.

Every minute of such a person is devoted to the service of God. He is not bothered by earthly goals and ideals. The monk’s day is spent in prayers, which become for him a kind of meaning of life.

Vows

It's no secret that monks take vows. What is the monastic vow of celibacy? A person who makes such a promise not only gives up the opportunity to get married. This vow implies that gender no longer matters to him. The bodily shell remained in the world that the monk left; from now on, only souls are important to him.

Also, a servant of God must take a vow of non-covetousness. By saying goodbye to the world, the monk also renounces the right to personal property. This implies that he cannot own anything, even a ballpoint pen. A person gives up property because he no longer needs it. Everything that the monks use, such as books, is the property of the monastery.

What is the monastic vow of obedience? This means that a person completely rejects his desires. His only goal from now on is unity with the Lord, to whom he offers prayers hourly. However, willpower remains with him. In addition, the monk is required to unquestioningly follow the orders of the abbot. This is not a sign of submission and servility, but rather helps to find peace and joy in the soul.

How to become a monk

Becoming a monk is a long journey that not every applicant succeeds in completing. Many people realize that they are not able to part with the benefits of civilization, to give up the opportunity to have a family and property. The road to becoming a servant of God begins with communication with a spiritual father, who gives useful advice to a person who has decided to say goodbye to worldly life.

Next, the applicant, if he has not yet abandoned his intention, becomes a laborer - an assistant to the clergy. He must constantly be in the monastery and follow its rules. This gives a person the opportunity to understand whether he is ready to spend his life in prayer and physical labor, say goodbye to the benefits of civilization, and rarely see his family. On average, a future monk follows the path of a laborer for about three years, after which he becomes a novice. The duration of this stage is determined individually; a person is still free to leave the monastery walls at any time. If he passes all the tests with honor, he will be tonsured a monk.

About the ranks

Residents of our country are accustomed to calling the clergyman “priest.” This common word is acceptable, but you need to know that in the Orthodox Church there is a strict hierarchy of orders. To begin with, it is worth mentioning that all clergy are divided into black (taking a vow of celibacy) and white (having the right to start a family).

Only four Orthodox ranks are available to married people: deacon, protodeacon, priest and archpriest. Many people prefer this path because they do not want to completely abandon worldly life. What kind of monastic rank can a person who decides to do this receive? There are many more options: hierodeacon, archdeacon, hieromonk, abbot, archimandrite and so on. A monk can also become a bishop, archbishop, metropolitan, or patriarch.

The highest monastic rank is patriarch. Only a person who has taken a vow of celibacy can be awarded it. There are cases when family clergy, whose children have already grown up, with the consent of their spouses, go to a monastery and renounce worldly life. It happens that their wives do the same, as evidenced by the example of Saints Fevronia and Peter of Murom.

Cloth

The clothing of the monks also arouses keen interest among the public. A cassock is a long robe that reaches to the heels. It has narrow sleeves and the collar is buttoned tightly. The cassock is an undergarment. If worn by a monk, the item should be black. Cassocks of other colors (gray, brown, white, dark blue) can only be afforded by family clergy. Traditionally, they are made from wool, cloth, satin, and linen.

Of course, the clothing of monks is not only a cassock. The outer garment of a person who has dedicated himself to God is called a cassock. Traditionally, it has long and wide sleeves. Black cassocks are most widespread, but you can also find white, cream, gray, and brown versions.

It is impossible not to mention the monastic headdress - the hood. It appeared in the church environment a long time ago, initially it looked like a soft cap made of simple matter. The modern cap is covered with a black veil that extends below the shoulders. Most often you can find black hoods, but there are also products made in other colors.

Who can't become a monk

Entering a monastery is a decision that not every person can implement. It is believed that people cannot give up their worldly life if they are kept from this commitment to others. Let's say the candidate has small children, elderly parents, and disabled relatives. Also, those who are being treated for a serious illness should not think about tonsure. This is due to the fact that the person would have to give up quality medical care.

What is a monastery? What types of monasteries are there? How does one prepare for monastic tonsure?

Monasteries have the right, in agreement with the diocesan bishop, to establish hermitages And farmstead.

Skeet is a division of the monastery with a special status, internal and charter; has a separate territory, with limited and strictly controlled access for pilgrims. The monastery is created for the residence of monastics seeking to lead a more secluded lifestyle. The skete is governed by a monastery commander, who reports directly to the abbot (abbess) of the monastery.

Compound A monastery is a subdivision of a monastery created outside its boundaries for missionary, economic, and representative purposes. The metochion is managed by the abbot, who is directly subordinate to the abbot (abbess) of the monastery.

Division of monasteries according to type of subordination

According to subordination, monasteries are divided into stauropegial, diocesan, attributed.

Pokrovsky Stavropegial Convent (Moscow)

Stauropegial

They are under the control of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (within Ukraine, stauropegial monasteries can also be called monasteries under the control of the Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine).

Diocesan

The monasteries are under the canonical control of the diocesan bishop.

Attributed

Monasteries are created at monasteries that are distinguished by their large number of brethren, deanery, and successful economic activities.

Monastery management

Abbot

The monastery is led by the abbot (abbess) in the position of abbot (abbess).

The hegumen (abbess) is appointed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod on the proposal of the diocesan bishop, if possible, from among the inhabitants of the monastery and is responsible for compliance with the internal and civil statutes of the monastery and bears full responsibility for the spiritual and material life of the monastery.

The abbot, by written orders, appoints and releases from obedience the main officials monastery The list of such persons and their duties are determined by the internal and civil regulations of the monastery.

Spiritual Cathedral

The abbot is assisted in managing the monastery by the Spiritual Council, convened by the abbot from among the main officials of the monastery and experienced monks. The Spiritual Council is an advisory body under the abbot of the monastery. The list of issues to be discussed by the Spiritual Council, as well as the frequency of its meetings, are determined by the internal and civil charter of the monastery.

The internal life of the monastery is regulated by the internal and civil statutes of the monastery. Each resident, regardless of rank, position, age, position, is obliged to strictly observe these statutes. The monastery takes care of all the inhabitants: providing them with housing, food, medical care, clothing, shoes and other necessary things. If a monk loses his ability to work, in particular upon the onset of old age, the monastery takes care of him for life.

Entering the monastery

Persons of the Orthodox faith are allowed to enter the monastery. It is unacceptable to admit minors, mentally ill persons, persons without an identity card, as well as persons burdened with debt, family or other obligations to third parties into the monastery.

The abbot personally or jointly with the Spiritual Council decides on the nature and duration of the probationary period, the duration of which must be at least one year. For persons who have received or are receiving spiritual education in full-time religious educational institutions, this period may be reduced. During the probationary period, those who arrive at the monastery are in the position of workers.

Monasticism- lifelong service. Renouncing the world, the monk takes vows of obedience, chastity and non-covetousness. No one has the right to free a person from his monastic vows. Leaving a monastery and monasticism by a person who has taken monastic vows is serious crime before, to whom vows were made.

Monastic life is hidden within a person, but its signs are visible from deeds, which, in addition to obedience, chastity and non-covetousness, consist in renunciation of the world, understood according to the word St. Isaac Sirina, as a set of passions, in repentance, in intense fasting and, in sobriety and silence, in brotherly love and hospitable love, in humility and meekness, in the pursuit of moral perfection.

Forms of monastic residence

Since the 4th century, there have been two main forms of monastic life: hermitage(ankhorism, desert dwelling), hermitage hagiography (Keliotism) and dormitory.

Hermitage

Hermitage- this is a form of individual monastic feat. Its founders are Reverends Paul of Thebes and Anthony the Great. Not all monks are capable of hermitism in the strict sense of the word. The decision to leave the monastic hostel and begin the exploits of hermitage cannot be made hastily and willfully without the blessing of the abbot.

Skete life

Skete life- this is a form of organization of monastic life in which monks have individual, usually separately located cells and each perform a special monastic rule, gathering together only for worship. The founder of the skete life is the Monk Macarius the Great.

Dormitory

Dormitory- this is a way of organizing the life of a monastic community, in which monks have common services, a common daily routine, a common meal, and common property. The founder of the hostel is St. Pachomius the Great.

Preparation for monasticism

Cooperation

Lay people arriving at the monastery for a period of more than a month are included in the number of workers. The work of workers in the monastery is a form of voluntary donation to the monastery. During their stay in the monastery, workers are provided with free accommodation and food. The monastery leadership determines the rules for workers to live in the monastery. The monastery management has the right to demand that a worker leave the monastery at any time, in particular in case of violation of the rules established for workers.

Novitiate

Upon completion of the probationary period, the abbot may decide to accept the worker into the brethren of the monastery as a novice, or to extend the probationary period. The novice is a candidate for monastic tonsure, for which he must diligently prepare under the guidance of the abbot and the latter spiritual mentor. The novice is obliged to fully comply with the rules of the monastery. The duration of preparation for taking tonsure should be at least three years from the moment of arrival at the monastery, but can be reduced to one year for persons who have received or are receiving theological education in the full-time department of theological educational institutions. In the event of a serious illness of a novice, the period of preparation for tonsure may also be shortened.

The abbot of the monastery is obliged to take special care of the spiritual care of novices. In case of unworthy behavior, violation of the monastery charter, spiritual illnesses, the abbot and senior monks of the monastery take measures for proper admonition. In case of repeated gross violations of the internal or civil regulations of the monastery, the novice may be removed from the monastery by decision of the abbot.

Novices leave the monastery - voluntarily or by decision of the abbot - without any church canonical or disciplinary consequences, since the novitiate was established to properly test the internal structure and will of candidates for monasticism. At the same time, in those cases when a novice informs the abbot of his intention to leave the monastery, the abbot is obliged to find out whether this intention is connected with the occurrence of circumstances that can be eliminated by the abbot himself. In the latter case, the abbot must accept necessary measures. When leaving the monastery, the novice loses the right to wear special clothes, if he was dressed in such clothes during his stay in the monastery.

Monasticism (ryassophore novitiate, ryassophore)

If this is provided for by the internal regulations of the monastery, with the blessing of the diocesan bishop and with the voluntary written consent of the novice, a special rite of vesting the latter in a cassock and hood with possible change name. Leaving the monastery by the monks of the ryasophores is a canonical crime and is punishable by penance, determined by the diocesan bishop on the recommendation of the abbot.

Worship. Participation in the Sacraments. Monastic rule

The performance of worship is at the center of the life of the monastery. The brethren, free from urgent obediences, must be present at general monastery services. Diligent attendance at divine services is one of the indicators of a monk’s spiritual success. Missing divine services without the blessing of the monastery leadership or a good reason is a serious violation of monastic discipline, the punishment for which is determined by the internal regulations of the monastery.

Since ancient times, monasteries have served as spiritual centers and strongholds of faith for the Orthodox people. The special service of monasticism towards humanity is prayer for the whole world.

Experienced monks, with the blessing of the abbot, can become spiritual mentors for lay people visiting the monastery. The monastery should, as far as possible, create conditions for the unhindered care of the laity. At the same time, this service should not destroy the internal structure and decorum of the monastery.

To the best of their strength and capabilities, monasteries are called upon to participate themselves and assist other church institutions in missionary, spiritual and educational activities in order to make the word of true faith accessible to everyone who wants to hear and perceive it. Monasteries can provide spiritual and material assistance to hospitals, orphanages and orphanages, military units and penitentiary institutions; organize Orthodox non-state educational institutions, orphanages, libraries, publishing houses; provide assistance to Orthodox youth organizations.

Monastic charity should first of all be expressed in caring for pilgrims and pilgrims. It is advisable to set up hotels and refectories for pilgrims at the monasteries. At a time when the monastery is open to visitors, it is mandatory to organize the duty of monks who can answer questions that come to the monastery and introduce guests to the history and life of the monastery.

During times of national disaster, monasteries are obliged to come to the aid of the local population. In a number of cases, the Russian Orthodox Church blesses the service of monastics outside the monastery (in theological schools, in synodal and diocesan institutions, in missions, in foreign institutions, in bishops' houses).