The Religions Book

223

See also: Self-denial leads to spiritual liberation 68–71 ■ Higher levels of teaching 101 ■ The purpose of monastic vows 145
■ Immortality in Christianity 210–211 ■ The Protestant Reformation 230–37

CHRISTIANITY

world but lose one’s own soul?”—
and so became ascetics, giving up
worldly possessions and marriage
to focus on their spiritual lives.
The world was understood to be a
place of many temptations, which
could distract a person from the
ways of God. As an antidote to the
busyness of life, the ascetics sought
quiet, contemplative prayer. It was
said that, “Just as it is impossible
to see your face in troubled water,
so also the soul, unless it is clear of
alien thoughts, is not able to pray
to God in contemplation.”
As monasticism spread out
from the desert and into Europe,
caves were superseded by specially
designed buildings that became
known as monasteries. Many were
built around a cloister, an enclosed
courtyard or garden used for
meditation. Although monasteries
had moved from the desert to more

populated environments, the idea

of retreating from the world in order

to nurture spiritual life persisted.

A life for others

However, monasteries were not

simply spiritual refuges from the

outside world. At a time when most

Christians were peasants, working

long hours simply to survive, the

monks and nuns worshipped and

prayed on their behalf. Monastic

groups such as the Benedictines

(founded in the 6th century) and

the Cistercians (12th century)

offered hospitality and charity

as well as prayer. Throughout

the Middle Ages, monasteries

remained centers of education.

Monks and nuns copied and

illuminated precious manuscripts,

and passed on their knowledge.

According to the monastic ideal,

retreating from the world gave

them the time and energy to

serve the world in God’s name. ■

While Western European

monasticism is renowned for

its great communal buildings,

many Eastern monasteries follow

an older tradition of monks and

nuns living in relative isolation

from each other, inspired by

St. Anthony. Another extreme,

early Eastern monastic tradition

was practiced by the Stylites,

such as St. Simeon, who lived on

the top of pillars, fasting, praying,

and preaching. Although Eastern

monasteries have slightly different

practices, they still embody

the idea of separation from the

world for the sake of a spiritual

life, and for the benefit of others.

One of the holiest places in

Eastern monasticism is Mount

Athos in Greece, the Holy

Mountain, which has some of

the oldest monastic buildings

in the world. This isolated

peninsula is completely

autonomous and set apart

from the world; women are not

permitted access to the land.

In the 3rd century CE, one of the first
desert hermits, St. Anthony, attracted
thousands of followers, who settled in
caves around him; this monastery was
eventually built at the site in Egypt.

Eastern monasticism

In the Eastern Christian church

there is only one monastic order,

which follows the instructions for

monastic life written by St. Basil.