About Monasticism

A brother went to see Abba Joseph and said to him, “Abba, as far as I can I say my prayer rule, I fast a little, I pray and meditate, I live in peace as far as I can, I purify my thoughts. What else can I do?” Then the elder stood up and stretched his hands towards heaven. His fingers became like ten lamps of fire and he said to him, “If you will, you can become all aflame.” This is what monasticism is: a longing for God that knows no limits. It is the beginning of the age to come, of the Kingdom of Heaven still here on earth…

The monk offers labor of the soul and body, and in return receives repose for his heart. He usually comes into the church bowed down with great weight, but leaves, if he so chooses, having undergone “the good alteration.” He ministers from the Holy Sanctuary to the outer narthex and in the surrounding spaces. He serves, prays, sings, intercedes secretly, gives ear to the divine words of the readings and is also nourished in the mystery of the Divine Eucharist by the pure Body and precious Blood of the Word of God made Man…

The monastic life was called the “apostolic life” in the ancient church.  It imitated – and still imitates – the life of the first Christians, who lived under the direct or indirect spiritual direction of the Apostles.  In essence, it is a life of repentance and purification of the heart from our passions, while fulfilling the commandments of the Lord.  The beatitudes of the Lord find their fulfillment in monasticism, and more generally in ascesis, just as in the time of the ancient church…