At the word “monastery”, the first thing that comes to mind is a stone cell, gloomy faces, constant prayers, and also complete renunciation of the world. This also leads to the thought of the personal tragedy of man, which deprived him of the meaning of life. That is why he left people. Is it so? And what kind of life do modern monasteries live?
Tradition formation
Who do we call monks? If we consider the interpretation of this word, it means a lonely person. However, such a definition does not indicate the true meaning of this concept. After all, there are a lot of lonely people, but not monks. There is more to this word than human loneliness.
According to the explanations of the Orthodox Church, a monk is one who is called upon to constantly do good deeds, to protect himself from sinful impressions and thoughts, steadily following the path of serving God. This is the warrior of the King of Heaven, who is on the front line, who should not retreat or leave the battlefield. After all, behind is God.
It often happens that people who come to the monastery are shocked by the difference that exists between reality and their ideas about this place.
In the monastery, life goes on as usual. Of course, it is very different from secular, but at the same time not as boring and monotonous as one might assume. Here, each person, in addition to prayers, is engaged in some business and is not deprived of fellowship.
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 due to the fact that all of its premises, including cells, were in natural caves of rocks.
At the initial stages of its formation, 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 the boards or directly on the ground. Often for several days during the week they did not eat, did not drink wine, and also did not allow themselves any comfort in any of its manifestations. Thanks to such detachment, as well as being in constant prayers, God revealed secrets to them and worked miracles through them.
The most famous monastery in Russia is the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. In this monastery miracles, at the behest of God, were performed by Sergey Radonezhsky and his disciples. One of them is the salvation of Russia from destruction by the Tatar-Mongol troops, which is believed to have been made possible through prayer to the Lord.
The essence of the life of the nuns
It can be explained on the basis of centuries-old tradition. The essence of monasticism is expressed in four positions:
- Life in God, which does not provide for any relationships and personal relationships outside of Him.
- Apostolic life. In this position, the nun is seen as the bride of Christ. She is a leader of God. She has no personal aspirations and children. She is always open to fulfill the will of God.
- Cathedral life. This is life in the Church, but moved by it, ending in it and belonging to it.
- Spiritual life. It comes from the Holy Spirit. Such a life begins thanks to repentance and faith. After the Spirit she is perfected. This life can be called walking for the Son, as well as for Christ in the Spirit, which goes to the Father.
Based on the provisions described above, a monastic dormitory is organized. The women in it try their best to fulfill the will of God. Moreover, one of the main conditions for the true inner life of the nuns in the monastery is the desire to ensure that their cause is a good start.
Service to God
Throughout the history of the Orthodox Church, the choice of the monastic path has been a deliberate and serious matter. And at all times he was respected. However, after the revolution in Russia, the tradition of monastic life was hardly supported. A new life, in which there was no place for faith, excluded the very possibility of moving away from secular being.
In fact, pioneers can be called those people who began to actively replenish 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 woman must make the decision to leave for the monastery herself. However, a spiritual guide and God's blessing help her to do this. It should be understood that life in a nunnery 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 for the purification of a sinful soul, reunion with the Lord, and eternal service to Christ.
Life in a nunnery should begin only by one who does not leave in his soul anything that would connect him with the outside world. All problems must remain in the past, because the walls of the monastery are not able to save them. If a woman has a strong willingness to serve God, then a new life will benefit her. She will certainly find peace and tranquility if she is in daily work and prayer, feeling that the Lord is near.
Monastery Way
He who comes to the monastery is not immediately allowed to take tonsure. A woman will need to pass a probationary period, which is from 3 to 5 years.
This time, as a rule, is enough to take a closer look at life in a nunnery and understand how right the chosen path is. Before taking a tonsure, you will need to go through several stages. Let's consider each of them.
Hard worker
At its first stage, life in a nunnery involves a check of intentions to take tonsure and stay in the holy monastery forever. To do this, you must become a laborer. So called women working in the monastery. They do this voluntarily and for free.
Judging by the reviews, life in the convent allows you not to worry about the roof over your head and food. Here, in relation to women workers, the word “work” is not used, since it, based on biblical canons, means “to get one's bread by the sweat of one's face”. The laborer does not do this. She serves God.
Judging by the reviews, one should not count on life in a nunnery just coming from the street. Those who wish to become laborers must undergo a preliminary interview and receive the blessing of the abbot himself, and for some monasteries that accept people who are only church-goers, also the blessing of the priest.
They do not take drug addicts, alcoholics and smokers, as well as those who do not have a passport, minors and women who have an inappropriate appearance for a Christian. In addition, in each monastery, according to its own charter, there are also age restrictions. For example, women from 18 to 60 years old can become workers.
Those who come to the monastery must observe the internal routine, customs and rules.
The laborer should remember that in the church hierarchy she is on the very first step. That is why in her life in a nunnery (photo can be seen below) she must obey the abbot and obey the elders. And if the abbot is told to leave the monastery, then you will need to do this as soon as possible.
Workers need to attend all services and participate in rites. The daily routine during their life in the nunnery is such that prayers are given no less time than labor activity.
There are certain restrictions on the difficulties. Despite the fact that they are not yet nuns, they are not given the right to go outside the monastery when they wish. To do this, you will need to receive a blessing from the abbot.
Also, the laborers are ordered to lead an ascetic lifestyle. Unlike nuns, they may have a mobile phone, but frequent use is not welcome. Calls should be only on business and in solitude, so as not to plunge everyone else into a 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. Each day begins with a rise at 5-6 a.m. and ends with a hang-up at 22-23 a.m. There is no quiet hour in the monasteries, because idleness is considered a sin.
What kind of work do laborers work in monasteries? These women, as a rule, are laundresses and cleaners, cooks or their assistants, whose duties are to clean vegetables and fish, wash dishes, stir porridge in a cauldron, sort out dried fruits and cereals. Workers also work in the garden and in the garden. They look after cattle, flower beds, parks, etc. These women can work in different directions. For example, peel potatoes today, and help at the bakery tomorrow. Disputes and objections from them are not accepted, otherwise they will have to leave the monastery.
Novice
If a woman has successfully passed the first period, and the difficulties that have arisen did not frighten her, she must file a petition in the name of the Superior. After that, she can be transferred to novices. This is the second stage of the life of the nuns in the monastery (photo can be seen below), when a woman becomes one step closer to tonsure.
Instead of the usual clothes, she begins to wear a black cassock. The novices, like the laborers, are sent to carry out various works at the monastery and continue to get used to their new life. 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 the worldly fuss forever with her constant work, as well as humility.
Nun
After the woman has gone through the first two stages, the abbess, having ascertained the authenticity of the novice’s desire to serve God, petitiones the bishop. After this, shearing is done. At the same time, a woman takes several vows and completely abandons worldly life. She is given a new name.
The life of nuns in a convent is impossible without observing the following ascetic vows:
- Obedience. The nun has no will of her own. She is completely subordinate to the abbess, confessor, as well as to other nuns. A woman who decides to give her life in the name of serving God should not have her own opinion, desire and will.
- Celibacy (virginity). Nuns should not have an intimate life. That is why they never have children or families.
- Non-possessiveness. Nuns are deprived of private property.
- Prayers Nuns need to pray continuously. The pronunciation of the divine text can be carried out not only aloud, but also mentally.
Rules of the cloister
The monastic life in the convent is quite strict daily routine. Each monastery has its own, but on the whole, the schedule of affairs for each day looks like this:
- early rise;
- personal prayer;
- saying prayers together;
- breakfast;
- performance of work in the cloister;
- dinner prayer;
- a meal;
- completing of the work;
- prayer and ministry in the temple;
- a meal;
- personal time;
- hang up.
As you can see, the life of the nuns in the monasteries is quite stressful. All 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 her life as a nun in a convent? Each monastery has its own daily schedule of affairs. Let's see how the life of the nuns (photo below) goes on in the Vvedensky monastery in Ivanovo.
The regime in this monastery can be called sparing. The nuns here get up quite late. The rise in this monastery at 6 o’clock in the morning, while in others it can be at 4 and 5 o’clock. Women awake with a bell. This is done by the night attendant, who can be either a nun or a novice. The attendant walks in all buildings and on all floors and at the same time does not stop calling.
At 6 hours 30 minutes morning prayers begin. These are canons, midnight office, as well as akathists. After an hour and a half, the liturgy begins. At 11.00 all women go for lunch. There is no breakfast in this monastery, because it is impossible to eat food until the end of the liturgy.
During the meal, as in all monasteries, reading takes place. It changes either to the teaching of the holy fathers, or to the story of the holy holiday. After a meal, the confessor or the abbess sometimes conducts his conversation. In addition, the sisters tell women about the pilgrimage.
At 11.30, immediately after lunch, everyone leaves for work. In the summer, this is usually the treatment of the garden. Anyone who wants to learn something interesting about the life of nuns in convents should know that during such an obedience, women are allowed to bring a player with headphones with them. However, they do not listen to music at all, but the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures, teachings and stories of the Holy Fathers.
At 16 o'clock everyone is going to dinner. He is in the Vvedensky monastery quite early. However, women themselves asked to transfer it to this time from 20.30. After all, in the evening they practically do not eat, and those who feel hungry after the evening service are not forbidden to come to a pilgrimage meal. It is also allowed to drink tea directly in the cell.
At 5 p.m. Vespers or Matins begins. In the case of the All-Night Vigil, all the nuns gather for prayers. During regular service, only those women who are free from obedience come to her. The retreat to the monastery is provided at 23 hours. However, if women do not have time to do anything, then they go to bed later.
Accommodations
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 mattresses, despite the fact that the room is designed for one person. But earlier there was simply not enough space 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, go to visit each other. However, in some cases, talking is not welcome.
Prayer rule
All appeals to God are made, as a rule, in the temple. But in addition to this, nuns can read the Psalter, the Gospel, and prayers in their cells. Here they bow. In addition to the general, women may have their own rule. It is appointed by the confessor. Of course, confession and communion are present in life at the convent.
Life of the Seraphim-Diveevo 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 Diveevsky monastery is no less intense than in the Vvedensky monastery. Women get up here very early. Already at 5.30 they go to the temple for prayers. At 8.00 their day begins. After breakfast, the nuns go to obedience. Among the works - cooking, cleaning up the temple and much more. All obedience is distributed based on the capabilities and health of women. At the same time, the monastery does not adhere to the usual 8-hour working day in the country. All day for women is work and prayer. Moreover, constant, and not only external, but also internal.
Dinner at the monastery - at about 20 o’clock, immediately after the evening service. Prepare food 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 television is categorically prohibited. At 23 o’clock according to the charter in the monastery everyone should go to sleep.
Workshops in Diveevo
At all times, life placed the cloister in such conditions that they had to deal with their own security. That is why almost all monasteries had workshops that became famous for their products. Diveevo was no exception.
For many years, its own candle shop and printing house have been working and continue to function today. But special attention should be given to the gold embroidery products from Diveevo. The works of the nuns of this monastery cannot but shake their skill, accuracy and beauty. Women embroider church vestments and icons. They are very good at embroidery, using silver and gold threads, stones and beads for the created products. This work is quite painstaking and requires great perseverance. That is why women who have accepted obedience in this monastery learn not only embroidery, but also the great spiritual science of patience.
Even in pre-revolutionary times, the monastery was known for its painting workshop. It exists today. The monastery has its own icon-painting workshop, as well as a children's art school, which everyone can attend.
Caring for the Nuns
Today, Diveevo has its own clinic, in which a dental office is open and operates. By the way, not only nuns, but also workers of the monastery are accepted here. In Diveevo, a paramedic is on duty around the clock and has his 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 who are no longer able to carry obedience are placed here. Care for them is carried out by young women who perform the function of nannies. If necessary, the nuns are examined by doctors and they are prescribed various procedures that are performed by nurses. A priest comes to the poorhouse. Every Thursday, on the second floor in this building, where the house of All Sorrowful Joy is located, a liturgy is served.
Older nuns, as far as health permits them, continue to read spiritual books and the hymnal, as well as pray. They are also preparing for death. Their attitude towards the transition to the afterlife is completely calm. And this is characteristic of all spiritual people. In preparation for death, the nuns seek to confess and receive communion.
Buddhist cloisters in Korea
Anyone who wants to learn interesting things about the life of nuns in convents should get acquainted with the daily routine of those who are not members of the Orthodox Church. Very curious, what is the daily schedule of adherents of the Buddhist faith? A day in such a monastery begins at 3 o’clock in the morning. The duties of one of the nuns include an even earlier rise. She should put on ceremonial clothes and then begin to quietly beat a mokthan made of wood into a bell-shaped instrument, and at the same time sing sutras. With such a Buddhist chant, she must pass through the entire monastery territory. The nuns, having heard these sounds, get up and begin preparations for the morning ceremony. After the blows to the monastery bell, gong, drum and wooden fish, they go to the Main Hall for chanting.
At the end of the morning ceremony, every woman begins to do her own thing. Students go to the student hall, senior nuns go to the thought room, and workers go to breakfast.
The meal at the Korean Buddhist Temple begins at 6 a.m. Breakfast includes oatmeal and pickled vegetables. After that, the most important part of the day begins. This is the time when nuns go about their business or meditate.
At 10.30 the nuns gather for chants in the Main Hall. After that they have lunch. Women sing before meals and during their use. Having finished the meal, until 17.00 the nuns again go about their business. This is followed by dinner. About an hour after it comes time for chants. At 21 o’clock everyone goes to bed at the monastery.