History of Monasticism: The Eastern Tradition

On 20 May 2021 (7.15 – 8pm BST), our Institute is delighted to present an important new book by our founding Director and IOCS Visiting Professor, Revd Dr John Binns: 'The T&T Clark History of Monasticism. The Eastern Tradition.'
More details at: https://t.co/oQbHgKFe0C pic.twitter.com/TRZJ4JPPdv

— IOCS - Cambridge (@IOCS_Cambridge) May 17, 2021

Bloomsbury

Ines Angeli Murzaku on Bose

CWR Dispatch: Troubles at Bose highlight need for authentic ecumenism, monasticism
by Ines Angeli Murzaku
The focus of the Bose community in Magnano, Italy is ecumenism, but it is not an authentic unity where theological, ecclesiological, and historical differences are discussed, prayed for, and lived out.

"There is, according the Rule, no need to change or convert or change denomination, because one belongs to Christ through the church of his/her baptism to the end."

Baptism without the Gift of the Holy Spirit is incomplete.

Speaking of ironies, the day (July 22, 2014) Pope Francis appointed Br. Bianchi as consultor to the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, this how Bianchi responded to the unexpected appointment: “The Pope will reform the papacy, and this will favor the relations with the Orthodox,” adding that “the reform of the papacy means a new balance between synodality and primacy…This would help to create a new style of papal primacy and the government of bishops.”

Holy Ephraim of Katounakia

Brand New Video!
Our latest episode of Chronicles of the Desert is about one of our more recent saints, Ephraim of Katounakia and his experience with St. Joseph the Hesychast.https://t.co/sREuhi4UPT

— Trisagionfilms (@TrisagionFilms) April 9, 2021

What Christian Shouldn't Give Himself "Totally" to God?

'I gave myself to God. Totally. And utterly.'

The monastery also produces beer and honey. I've tried the honey and it is delicious! Well worth supporting them in their life and work. https://t.co/udq2a229eG

— Fr Gary Dench (@garydench) March 28, 2021

Love of God is first for all Christians -- love of others is subordinate to, and motivated by, this love of God. Can the monk says that he loves God alone? No -- even the monk must love the rest of the Church and mankind, even if he lives apart from them. And unless he is a hermit, he doesn't live apart from others, though the amount of time he spends with others is limited. So "totally" is the wrong way to describe this sort of calling. It would be more accurate to say that the monk lives alone for God. ("Living only for God" would be inaccurate, too.) Even religious must be careful of pride and any sense of Christian elitism.

The Good Struggle: Life In A Secluded Orthodox Monastery

Monasticism for the Laity?

We can truly take the richness of Orthodox monasticism and apply this preserved tradition of silence, of stillness and of simplicity in our family setting#orthodox_times

https://t.co/IEvL2RzKSV

— Orthodox Times (@orthodox_times) December 8, 2020

Sabbas the Sanctified, Pray for Us!

Orthodox Calendar - 5 December: St. Sava the Sanctified; Martyr Anastasius (Fish permitted).https://t.co/NuQq6aA9xZ pic.twitter.com/JKxDxS2YXL

— Basilica.ro (EN) (@BasilicaNews) December 5, 2020

Today we commemorate Saint Sabbas the Sanctified (Σάβας ὁ Ἡγιασμένος); Holy Martyr Diogenes; Venerable Martyrs of Karyes; Venerable Nectarius and Philotheus of Mount Athos pic.twitter.com/Ak7hUo2XiH

— Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada (@GO_Metropolis) December 5, 2020

On this day we commemorate Sabbas the Sanctified. https://t.co/c2Uba8JvTR pic.twitter.com/FAgL9Xuxyp

— Greek Orthodox Arch (@goarch) December 5, 2020

The Church commemorates today one of the greatest figures of Orthodox monasticism: Saint Sabbas the Sanctified, and Martyr Diogenes#orthodox_times

https://t.co/ETR8pKTwzi

— Orthodox Times (@orthodox_times) December 5, 2020

St. Savvas pray for us!
The photo is of the monastery St. Savvas founded.https://t.co/PAgrUxcE7C
The decline of desert monasticism was initiated by the Arab Muslim conquest in the 7th century. But St. Sabbas Monastery has endured for over 1,500 years. pic.twitter.com/wXRiSMoWZQ

— Trisagionfilms (@TrisagionFilms) December 5, 2020

Hmm...

Those Who will Give the Testimony of our Christ will become Awesome Martyrs, Awesome Saints in the other World!

Elder Ephraim of Philotheou and Arizona

“It is for this reason that monasticism must stand again on its bastion, on this great strength that it contains in itself.(1)

— Orthodox Ethos (@frpeterheers) December 1, 2020

I have doubts about Elder Aphraim and his movement; to outsiders it might seem like a cult or scam. But the problem of "gerondism" is tied to the prominence given to monks within Byzantine Christianity; can it be said that "gerondism" or another spiritual problem afflects certain monasteries on Mount Athos?

Edit.

Remember this one thing, my child—if you don’t forgive, you can forget about Paradise.

+ Elder Ephraim of Arizona#Paradise #ElderEphraim #Orthodoxy #OrthodoxChurch #JesusSaves #ΓέρονταΕφραίμ pic.twitter.com/jrSWfHx9sA

— Orthodox Christianity (@Orthodoxy2019) December 3, 2020

Online Conference on Orthodox and Latin Monasticism in the Eastern Mediterranean, 13th-16th c.

Online conference on Orthodox and Latin Monasticism in the Eastern Mediterranean, 13th-16th c., at the National Hellenic Research Foundation

From our #Byzanzforschung, our colleague @EkateMits9 will talk on "Female monasteries in Late Byzantium" @imafo_oeaw @oeaw pic.twitter.com/puWESIblPh

— J. Preiser-Kapeller (@Byzanzforscher) September 29, 2020

Eastern Christian Books: The Oxford Handbook of Christian Monasticism

Eastern Christian Books: The Oxford Handbook of Christian Monasticism

New Men Now Available

Metropolitan Ephymios (Stilios) on Gerondism

OrthoChristian: The Phenomenon of “Gerondism”
Part 1: The components of “gerondism”
Part 2: Theological critique of the phenomenon. The ethics of the spiritual father and his child

Are the problems similar to the cult of personality that surrounds founders of young religious orders and communities in the West?

Shifting Definitions of Masculinity with Respect to the Presbyterate

Written by a feminist so it may not be agenda-free, but it is unlikely that the historical facts are in error.

UPenn: The Manly Priest: Clerical Celibacy, Masculinity, and Reform in England and Normandy, 1066-1300 by Jennifer D. Thibodeaux

(a review)

See also: Negotiating Clerical Identities: Priests, Monks and Masculinity in the Middle Ages (Palgrave).

An Exaggeration?

The Byzantine emphasis on monasteries is historical. But is it warranted? Prayer is important for all Christians, that is true at least.

I have seen critiques of "gerondism" here and there but I don't know if the critiques are correct.

Don’t Look for New Ideals. The Monastic Life Has Always Been an Example for the Laity

Related:
“Let’s be Christians Twenty-Four Hours a Day”: A Conversation with an Athonite Ascetic by Hieroschemamonk Ștefan Nuțescu

Showing of New Men at SVOTS

Becoming an Orthodox Monk

Eastern Christian Books: Barbara Crostini and Ines Murzaku on Greek Monasticism in Southern Italy

Eastern Christian Books: Barbara Crostini and Ines Murzaku on Greek Monasticism in Southern Italy

Theology of Vocations

A Latin traditionalist pov?

1Peter 5: On Discerning Vocations: How to Think about “States of Life” by Peter Kwasniewski

OrthoChristian: THE SUCCESSION OF ELDERS: FROM VALAAM MONASTERY TO THE PSKOV CAVES MONASTERY by Nadezhda Shelepova

At the Pskov Caves Monastery, Elder Hippolytus absorbed the monastic tradition of both the Valaam and the Pskov Caves elders. They guided and taught by the example of their good deeds, which is much more effective than just verbal instructions.

Axios