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In surfing the 'net, I came across an article on Eastern Christian monasticism on the website of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Cathedral in Alaska. One part of the article talks about what one can do to prepare for and begin to live the monastic life. While the article is geared towards those Byzantines living in Alaska, it seems to suggest things that are more or less applicable also to Byzantines living outside Alaska, who feel that they have a vocation to the monastic life, as a monk or nun. This part of the article is written by a "Byzantine Catholic eremitic nun". It says:

"I want to encourage all potential monastics (monks and nuns) to begin
blooming and blossoming in the mountains and deserts of Alaska.

How?
By making prayer the number ONE priority in your life.
Participate in as many Divine Services at St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic
Church as you can.
Simplify your life. Give away all extra material things.
Sew a simple monastic habit and gradually wear it everywhere.
Chant the Divine Office at Church and at home. Pray the Rosary. Pray the
Jesus Prayer.
Read spiritual literature.
Read everything you can get your hands on about monastic life. Live it
the best you can."

While most of these I have seen before--and am quite familiar with as they are part of my spiritual life already--I have never seen direction that an aspiring monastic should make themselves a simple monastic habit to wear. This is quite interesting, and brings to mind the following questions:

1. Is this in fact allowed by Byzantine Canon Law (to wear any semblance of monastic garb when one has not professed to live a monastic life)?

2. If it is allowed, would you recommend it for an aspiring monastic?

Thank you all for your replies...I look forward to them and appreciate your time!

In Christ,

+Timothy, servant of God (and aspiring monk!)

BTW, when I talk about one wearing monastic garb but not "being professed to live as a monastic", I don't mean that this person is--God forbid-- acting irreverantly or immodestly while in monastic clothing, just that they have not made the vows or been tonsured as monastics.

+Timothy, servant of God

Timothy,

Can you post the URL for the rest of us?

Admin

Admin,

Sure thing. Here it is:

http://www.geocities.com/stnickofmyra/monastic4.htm

Timothy,

Thanks!

Interesting site. Please note that it is unofficial.

Admin

Well, what does "simple monastic habit" mean? Is this a klobuk, belt, and matya? If so, then I don't think that is right.

People join monasteries to become monks and nuns. If you just start doing this all by yourself, then you may lead yourself down a wrong parth. Also, monks are gradually allowed to wear these garments. However, it is not the monk himself that decides when he should move to the next step of the ladder, but his spiritual father, or abbot, or hegumen, etc.

Also, people may mistake you for a real monk and then that could cause confusion when you have to explain the situation. In the past I'm sure this is how it happened, but I think that today, with all the strcture that has been developed, it would be better to join a monastery and do this, or just follow all the other steps on that website, but not wear the monastic garb.

Daniil

I was interpreting this as a riassa, rather than klobuk, belt, matya, etc. I don't really know what the writer had in mind. Truth be told, I wouldn't dream of wearing a klobuk or such until I am actually a part of a monastery. But a riassa is worn by many people in varying duties within the church. Still, I'm not sure that this would be appropriate given the situation...and I'm leaning towards not adopting the dress style at the moment.

+Тимофей, рабъ Божий

Dear Timofey,

I don't know what the rules concerning wearing monastic garb are, but studies on monastic life are agreed that people have certainly undertaken monastic life by donning such garb in the past, and that, by that act in and of itself, they are assumed to be hermits or monastics, set aside to live the life of the Spirit in accordance with this calling.

Certainly, members of Oblate and Third Orders can wear part of the full monastic habit of the Order they are attached to and can wear it during conferences and - for burial.

Alex

Thanks Alex,

Well, I *do* feel that I have the calling to be a monastic...and I at least want to investigate the life. However, as a 19 year old, there are other things that "call" me too (i.e. girls). But, I am a virgin and know in my heart that if it is discerned that I do have a true calling to the monastic life, I will do WHATEVER it takes to become a monk. I'm still unsure as to the propriety of donning monastic garb when one is not a professed monastic...although perhaps that is why the nun that wrote the article I mentioned said a *simple* monastic habit, etc. I could envision myself wearing a simple riassa (and the wooden pectoral cross that I currently wear over my shirt). I don't really know yet.

+Тимофей, рабъ Божий

Dear Timofey,

Perhaps you might try donning the Paraman or scapular worn by Lay Carmelites or Benedictine Oblates.

Anyone may wear such. The most important things,of course, have to do with faithfulness to the Horologion and the Jesus Prayer, together with the Divine Liturgy and Holy Communion. '

By the prayers of our Venerable Fathers, St Antony of Egypt, St Paul of Thebes and St John Cassian, O Lord Jesus Christ, Our God, Have mercy on us!

Alex

Алекс,

Дуже дякую!

You have some very good points. Basically now I pray morning and evening in my ikon corner (mostly in Slavonic with the Древнеправославный Молитвенникъ, for this is my preference), say the Jesus prayer with the чётки, attend Liturgy, confess often, and study spiritual books and writings. At least this is what I'm either currently doing or working on. And personally this works for me, although I wouldn't mind more distinctive clothing in some ways...

Будь здоров,

Тимофей, рабъ Божій

P.S. Thanks for a little chance to try out my limited Ukrainian. My Russian is MUCH better...

I should note that I am also beginning to pray the Hours, as laid out in the Древнеправославный Молитвенникъ...

+Тимофей, рабъ Божій

Dear Timofey,

And don't forget the Poklony!

Russian monasteries, as you know, have the special service of the poklony where the Igumen says the Jesus Prayer three times and then 30 prostrations to the ground are made. Then the Brothers say the Jesus Prayer for the remainder of the 70 times quietly.

This is repeated ten times, but the last "hundredth" or "Sotnya" is said using the short prayer to the Theotokos.

The monastic rule also prescribes two Akathists and three Canons daily, the reading of at least three Kathismata of the Psalter, one chapter of the Gospels and two of the rest of the Epistle and the recitation of 150 "Rejoice O Theotokos" with a prostration at the end.

And if you still have time, 150 Our Fathers with a prostration at the end as well.

A very full prayer life to be sure!

God bless each and every one of your efforts!

Alex

Alex,

I'm sure it is easier done in community (the monastic prayer rule), but I plan to start including such things in my own practice at home. Little by little. And thanks for your prayers. My prayers are for your needs as well, always!

In Christ,

+Тимофей, рабъ Божій

I have read the past posts with interest. The only comment I would make is this: Do NOTHING, and I mean NO-THING, regarding spirituality unless you have received permission of your pastor or pastor-approved spiritual father/mother.

Since your pastor and your bishop bear spiritual responsibility for your well being, any errors that you make will redound upon them. There are all sorts of loonies out there who look pretty good at first sight, and it is your pastor's job to help discern what is the mind of the Church regarding spiritual direction.

Remember always that the first 'job' of the religious monk or nun is love of God and love of neighbor manifested in prayer and in daily actions of charity. Despite the old adage, "clothes DON'T make the (religious) man".

Christ is Risen!!