When the word “monastery” comes to mind, the first thing that comes to mind is a stone cell, gloomy faces, constant prayers, as well as a complete renunciation of the world. This also leads to the idea of a personal tragedy of a person, which deprived him of the meaning of life. That is why he left the people. Is it so? And what kind of life do modern monasteries live?
Forming a tradition
Who do we call monks? If we consider the interpretation of this word, then it means a lonely living person. However, such a definition does not indicate the true meaning of this concept. After all, there are a lot of lonely people, but there are no monks. There is more to this word than human loneliness.
A monk, according to the explanations of the Orthodox Church, is one who is called to constantly do good deeds, to keep himself from sinful impressions and thoughts, steadily moving along the path of serving God. This is a warrior of the King of Heaven, who is on the front line, who cannot retreat or leave the battlefield. After all, God is behind.
Oftenit happens that people who come to the monastery are shocked by the difference that exists between reality and their ideas about this place.
Life goes on in the monastery. Of course, it is very different from the secular, but at the same time it is not as boring and monotonous as one might think. Here, each person, in addition to prayers, is engaged in some business and is not deprived of communication.
It is believed that monasteries arose with the advent of Christianity. In Russia, the first of them was the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. People came here who believed that all the pleasures that exist in their lives distract them from God. This monastery was called Pechersky because all its premises, including cells, were located in natural rock caves.
At the initial stages of its formation, the monastic tradition meant complete asceticism. In other words, people completely infringed on their desires, as well as bodily needs. That is why monks and nuns lived in deserts and caves, slept on boards or directly on the ground. Often they did not eat for several days during the week, did not drink wine, and also did not allow themselves any comfort in any of its manifestations. Thanks to this detachment, as well as being in constant prayer, God revealed secrets to them and worked miracles through them.
The most famous monastery in Russia is the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. In this monastery, miracles, at the behest of God, were performed by Sergei Radonezhsky and his disciples. One of them is the salvation of Russia from destruction by the Tatar-Mongolian troops, which is believed to have becomepossible through prayer to the Lord.
The essence of the life of nuns
It can be explained on the basis of centuries of tradition. The essence of monasticism is expressed in four positions:
- Life in God, which does not provide for any relationship and personal connections outside of Him.
- Apostolic life. In this position, the nun is seen as the bride of Christ. She is a worker of God. She has no personal aspirations and no children. She is always open to do the will of God.
- Cathedral life. This is life in the Church, driven by it, ending in it and belonging to it.
- Spiritual life. It comes from the Holy Spirit. Such a life begins through repentance and faith. After the Spirit, it is perfected. This life can be called walking after the Son, and also after Christ in the Spirit, which goes to the Father.
Based on the provisions described above, a monastic hostel was organized. The women in it are trying with all their might to fulfill the will of God. At the same time, one of the main conditions for the true inner life of nuns in the monastery is the desire for a good start to be made to their work.
Serving God
Throughout the history of the Orthodox Church, the choice of the monastic path has been a conscious and serious matter. And he was respected at all times. However, after the revolution in Russia, the tradition of monastic life was maintained with difficulty. A new life, in which there was no place for faith, excluded the very possibility of leaving secular life.
In fact, the pioneers can be called those people who started activelyreplenish the ranks of monks and nuns at the end of the last century. They knew about faith, as a rule, only from books, but they came to it for the revival of spiritual life.
The decision to enter a monastery must be made by a woman herself. However, her spiritual mentor and his God's blessing helps her to do this. At the same time, it should be understood that life in a convent should not be started for the sake of healing those spiritual wounds that were received in the world due to, for example, the death of loved ones or unhappy love. They come to the monastery to purify a sinful soul, reunite with the Lord and eternally serve Christ.
Life in a convent should be started only by those who leave nothing in their souls that would connect them with the outside world. All problems should remain in the past, because the walls of the monastery are not able to save them from them. If a woman has a strong readiness to serve God, then a new life will benefit her. She will certainly find peace and tranquility if she is in daily labors and prayers, feeling that the Lord is near.
Monastic Way
Those who come to the monastery are not allowed to take tonsure right away. The woman will need to complete a trial period of 3 to 5 years.
This time is usually enough to take a closer look at life in a nunnery and understand how correct the chosen path is. Before taking the vows, you will need to go through several stages. Let's take a look at each one.
Worker
At its first stage, life in the femalethe monastery involves checking the intentions to take tonsure and stay forever in the holy monastery. To do this, you need to become a worker. This is the name of the women working in the monastery. They do it voluntarily and for free.
Judging by the reviews, life in a convent allows you not to worry about a roof over your head and food. Here, in relation to laborers, the word “work” is not used, since, based on the biblical canons, it means “getting your bread in the sweat of your brow.” The worker does not do this. She serves God.
Judging by the reviews, one should not count on life in a convent just coming from the street. Those wishing to become laborers must pass a preliminary interview and receive the blessing of the abbot himself, and for some monasteries that accept people only churched, also the blessing of the priest.
The workers do not take drug addicts, alcoholics and smokers, as well as those who do not have a passport, minors and women who have an appearance inappropriate for a Christian. In addition, in each monastery, according to its charter, there are also age restrictions. For example, women from 18 to 60 years old can become laborers.
Those who come to the monastery must observe the internal routine, customs and rules.
The hard worker should remember that she is on the very first step in the church hierarchy. That is why in her life in the convent (photo can be seen below), she must obey the abbot and obey the elders. And if the abbot tells her to leave the monastery, then this will need to be done inas soon as possible.
Workers must attend all services and participate in rituals. The daily routine during their life in a convent is such that they devote no less time to prayers than to work.
Workers also have certain limitations. Despite the fact that they are not yet nuns, they are not given the right to go outside the monastery whenever they wish. To do this, you will need to receive a blessing from the abbot.
Also, female workers are ordered to lead an ascetic lifestyle. Unlike nuns, they may have a mobile phone, but frequent use of it is discouraged. Calls should be only on business and in solitude, so as not to plunge everyone else into the sin of envy.
The whole truth about life in a convent can shock a modern person. After all, there is no loud music and barbecue in nature, TV, radio, and even more so the Internet. Every day begins with getting up at 5-6 a.m. and ends at 10-11 p.m. Quiet time is not provided in the monasteries, because idleness is considered a sin.
What kind of work do female laborers do in monasteries? These women, as a rule, are laundresses and cleaners, cooks or their assistants, whose duties include cleaning vegetables and fish, washing dishes, stirring porridge in a cauldron, sorting out dried fruits and cereals. The laborers also work in the garden and in the garden. They take care of livestock, flower gardens, parks, etc. These women can work in different directions. For example, today weed potatoes, and tomorrow - help in the bakery. Disputes and objectionsfrom them are not accepted, otherwise they will have to leave the monastery.
The Novice
If a woman successfully passed the first period, and the difficulties that arose did not frighten her, she must file a petition addressed to the abbess. After that, she can be transferred to novices. This is the second stage in the life of the nuns in the monastery (see photo below), when a woman is one step closer to her tonsure.
Instead of normal clothes, she begins to wear a black cassock. The novices, like the laborers, are sent to perform various jobs at the monastery and continue to get used to a new life for them. The duration of this stage depends on the behavior of the woman. Being a novice, she can still leave the monastery if she realizes that she made the wrong choice. She must confirm her readiness to abandon worldly fuss forever with her constant work, as well as humility.
Nun
After the woman passes the first two stages, the abbess, convinced of the authenticity of the desire of the novice to serve God, submits a petition addressed to the bishop. After that, shearing takes place. At the same time, a woman takes several vows and completely renounces worldly life. She is given a new name.
The life of nuns in a convent is impossible without observing the following ascetic vows:
- Obedience. A nun has no will of her own. She is in full submission to the abbess, the confessor, as well as to other nuns. A woman who has decided to give her life in the name of serving God should not have her own opinion, desireand will.
- Celibacy (virginity). Nuns should not have intimate life. That is why they never have children or families.
- Non-possession. Nuns are deprived of private property.
- Prayers. Nuns need to pray continuously. The pronunciation of the divine text can be done not only out loud, but also mentally.
Council Rules
Monastic life in the convent is characterized by a rather strict daily routine. Each monastery has its own, but in general, the daily schedule looks like this:
- get up early;
- personal prayer;
- saying a common prayer;
- breakfast;
- doing work in the monastery;
- dinner prayer;
- meal;
- doing work;
- prayer and service in the temple;
- meal;
- personal time;
- light out.
As you can see, the life of nuns in monasteries is quite stressful. Throughout the day they pray and work. Not every person is able to withstand such busy days, in which there is no place for laziness and entertainment.
The routine of the Vvedensky monastery
What is life like for nuns in a convent? Each monastery has its own daily schedule. Let's get acquainted with the life of the nuns (photo below) in the Vvedensky Monastery in the city of Ivanovo.
The regime in this monastery can be called sparing. The nuns here get up quite late. Rise in this monastery at 6 am, while in others it can be at 4 or 5 am. Wake women up with a bell. This is done by the night attendant, who can be either a nun or a novice. The attendant walks through all the buildings and all floors and at the same time does not stop calling.
At 6:30 a.m. morning prayers begin. These are the canons, the midnight office, as well as akathists. An hour and a half later, the liturgy begins. At 11.00 all women go to lunch. There is no breakfast in this monastery, because you cannot eat before the end of the liturgy.
During the meal, as in all monasteries, there is reading. It changes either to the teaching of the holy fathers, or to a story about a holy feast. After the meal, the confessor or abbess sometimes conducts his conversation. In addition, the sisters tell the women about the pilgrimage.
At 11.30, right after lunch, everyone goes to work. In the summer, this is usually gardening. Anyone who wants to learn something interesting about the life of nuns in nunneries should know that during such obedience, women are allowed to take a player with headphones with them. However, they do not listen to music at all, but to the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures, the teachings and stories of the holy fathers.
At 4 p.m. everyone gathers for dinner. He is quite early in the Vvedensky Convent. However, the women themselves asked to move it to this time from 20.30. Indeed, in the evening they practically do not eat, and those who feel hungry after the evening service are not forbidden to come to the pilgrimage meal. It is also allowed to drink tea directly in the cell.
At 17:00 Vespers or Matins begins. In the case of the All-Night Vigil, all the nuns gather for prayers. Induring the regular service, only those women who are free from obedience come to her. Lights out in the monastery is provided at 11 p.m. However, if women do not have time to do something, then they go to bed later.
Residence conditions
The life of the nuns in the cell takes place only in their free time from obedience. Here they read books, do needlework, and those women who receive higher spiritual or secular education prepare for exams.
The cells are designed for one or two people. And such conditions are quite comfortable, because in the past they housed five or more women. They slept on the floor, spreading out mattresses, despite the fact that the room was designed for one person. But before, there were simply not enough places for everyone. The cell has everything you need for a normal life. This is a bed and a wardrobe, a table, as well as a large number of icons.
Being in their cells, the nuns can communicate with each other, visit each other. However, for any business, conducting conversations is not welcome.
Prayer rule
All appeals to God are made, as a rule, in the temple. But in addition to this, the nuns can read the Ps alter, the Gospel and prayers in their cells. This is where they pay their respects. In addition to the general, women may have their own rule. It is appointed by the confessor. Of course, both confession and communion are present in life in the convent.
Life of the Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery
This monastery belongs to the Nizhny Novgorod diocese and has its own daily routine and way of life. The life of the nuns in the Diveevo Monastery is at leasttense than in the Vvedensky monastery. The women here get up very early. Already at 5.30 they go to the temple for prayers. Their day starts at 8:00. After breakfast, the nuns go to obedience. Among the works - cooking, putting things in order in the temple and much more. All obediences are distributed based on the capabilities and he alth of women. At the same time, the monastery does not adhere to the usual 8-hour working day in the country. The whole day for women is work and prayer. Moreover, it is constant, and not only external, but also internal.
Dinner at the monastery at approximately 20:00, immediately after the evening service. Food is prepared in this monastery with prayer. The food here is quite simple, but at the same time very tasty.
In their free time, women can read fiction and spiritual literature, but TV is strictly prohibited. At 11 pm, according to the charter in the monastery, everyone should go to bed.
Workshops in Diveevo
At all times, life put the cloisters in such conditions that they had to deal with their provision themselves. That is why almost all monasteries had workshops that became famous for their products. Diveevo was no exception.
For many years, its own candle workshop and printing house has been working here and continues to function today. But the gold-embroidered products from Diveevo deserve special attention. The works of the nuns of this monastery cannot but shock with their skill, accuracy and beauty. Women embroider church vestments and icons. They are excellent at embroidery, using silver and gold threads, stones and beads for the created products. This work is quite painstaking and requires a lot of perseverance. That is why women who have taken obedience in this monastery learn not only embroidery, but also the great spiritual science of patience.
Even in pre-revolutionary times, the monastery was also known for its painting workshop. It exists even today. The monastery has its own icon-painting workshop, as well as a children's art school, which everyone can attend.
Caring for nuns
Today, Diveevo has its own clinic, where a dental office is open and working. By the way, not only nuns are accepted here, but also workers of the monastery. In Diveevo, a paramedic is on duty around the clock and has its own ambulance. A medical center equipped with the most modern equipment has been opened for the sisters of the monastery.
There is also an almshouse in Diveevo. This institution can be called an analogue of modern nursing homes. Elderly and sick nuns are placed here, who are no longer able to carry out obedience. They are cared for by young women who act as nannies. If necessary, the nuns are examined by doctors and prescribed various procedures by nurses. The priest comes to the almshouse. Every Thursday, on the second floor in this building, where the house church "Joy of All Who Sorrow" is located, they serve a liturgy.
Elderly nuns, as far as their he alth allows, continue to readspiritual books and the ps alter, as well as pray. They are also preparing for death. Their attitude towards the transition to the afterlife is completely calm. And this is true of all spiritual people. In preparation for death, the nuns seek to confess and take communion.
Buddhist retreats in Korea
Those who want to learn interesting things about the life of nuns in nunneries should get acquainted with the daily routine of those who do not belong to the Orthodox Church. Quite curious, what is the daily schedule of adherents of the Buddhist faith? The day in such a monastery starts at 3 am. The duties of one of the nuns include an even earlier rise. She should put on ceremonial robes and then begin to softly beat the bell-shaped mokthan instrument made of wood while singing the sutras. With such a Buddhist chant, she must pass through the entire monastery territory. The nuns, hearing these sounds, get up and begin preparations for the morning ceremony. After striking the monastery bell, gong, drum and wooden fish, they head to the Main Hall to chant.
At the end of the morning ceremony, every woman goes about her business. The female students go to the student hall, the senior nuns go to the reflection room, and the workers go to prepare breakfast.
A meal at a Korean Buddhist temple starts at 6 am. Breakfast is oatmeal and pickled vegetables. After that, the most important part of the day begins. This is the time when the nuns do theirdoing chores or meditating.
At 10.30 the nuns gather for chants in the Main Hall. After that they have lunch. Women sing before and during meals. After finishing the meal, the nuns go about their business again until 17.00. Dinner follows. About an hour later, it is time for chants. At 21:00 everyone goes to bed in the monastery.
