The word "cell" somehow by itself evokes images of monks, icons and monasteries. The way of life of people who have renounced worldly concerns is not always clear to the layman. However, being misunderstood does not mean being uninteresting. Rather, on the contrary, most people are curious to know how those who have dedicated their lives to God live, what they eat and even watch TV. Let's try to get into the monk's dwelling, look at his life and understand what a cell is.
Etymology of the word
The word "cell" is borrowed from Greek (κελλίον) and Latin (cella), later found use in Old Church Slavonic, literally meaning "room". In English, you can also find the consonant cell, which means "cell (in prison), cell." Numerous dictionaries basically interpret the same thing as a cell. Definition of this word: a separate room or room where a monk or nun lives. Here, members of the monastic community spend a significant part of their lives, sleeping and indulging in prayer. In a figurative sense, this is a secluded small modest room of a lonely person.
What the cell looks like
Not everyone knows what a cell is. In the classical sense, this is a separate room in the residential part of the monastery. However, not always one person can live there. At the same time, the cell can become a haven for several monks. Sometimes it can even be a separate small house. In Russian monasteries, each monk or nun was allowed to build his own cell, as a result of which members of the community from we althy families could have a spacious and rather comfortable room to use. But we will not judge by individual examples what a cell is. The vast majority of these are modest housing, where there is only the most necessary, no frills. Staying here should be of spiritual benefit to the inhabitant.
Appointment of the cell
The statutes of many monasteries may include a special provision "On cell stay." First of all, this is a place for fulfilling prayers, reading spiritual and highly moral literature, writing out books and pondering wise edifying thoughts. There is a whole list of ascetic writings recommended for reading. In their room, the monks, in the form of obedience, perform the tasks that they were entrusted with by the abbot or superiors. Also, the understanding of what a cell is will not be completely complete if we do not mention one important point. Visitors to the monastery of a monk are allowed only with the blessing of the higher authorities, and the stay of women in the cells of men's monasteries, and males, respectively, in women's monasteries is prohibited.
