Biblical and Patristic Basis of Orthodox Monachism
Biblical and Patristic Basis of Orthodox Monachism

Summary/Abstract: While most monks, at least in theory, belong to a group living in a convent or monastery, it is not imperative that they live with the same group throughout all their life as a monk. Monastic life, completely different from the life of the world, must be oriented towards achieving the personal religious purpose (Matt. 16: 24; Mk. 8: 34). Some monks drew their names from their lifestyle or the clothing they wore. The model of the biblical prophets who indeed had a monk’s life in poverty and simplicity inspires the association of novices to a monk. In the Gospels, Christ recommends poverty and celibacy to be willingly chosen (Mathew 19: 21) and Saint Paul preferred a single life as to be more involved in his life as a preacher of the Gospel in the Roman world (I Corinthians 7). Given that our Saviour states without doubt that celibacy, and therefore monastic life, represent a special gift that is not given to anybody, it means that no one can be forced to live a celibacy life. Before examining the opinion of the Fathers on Monastic life, one must cleary state that not all the Fathers were monks. Much later, Saint Symeon the New Theologian dealt with monastic life, yet approaching it differently from John Chrysostom.

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