If you are considering joining an Orthodox monastery, you may be wondering how to join. The first step is to make contact with the abbot of the monastery you are interested in. Before you can join, however, you must be ready to follow the rules of entry. The rules of entry include a serious desire to live the Christian life in community and to follow the will of God.
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Patriarch St. John the Forerunner was the first monastic
The Patriarch St. John the Forerunner was the first monastic orthodox saint. He was born in Ravenna and later became a monk. His father, St. John the Baptist, was a convert from Islam and a Christian by conversion. His father was martyred in Constantinople when he refused to become a Muslim and was beheaded. Another of his followers, St. John the Faster, became a hermit and later a bishop in a nearby area.
John of God is often called the first monastic orthodox saint. He devoted seven years of his life to monastic striving, living in the Hermitage of the Holy Forerunner in Jordan. In spite of his circumstances, he managed to lead a pious life under extremely difficult conditions.
The first monastic orthodox church was dedicated to him. His monastery is still in operation, though his remains are no longer in use. However, his relics are preserved at the Holy Sepulchre, which is a dependency of the Patriarch of Jerusalem. The Forerunner’s relic was brought to Jerusalem by a Patriarch named Dositheos. The relics were never buried with his body, so his honorable head was not preserved with his body.
Rules for entering an orthodox monastery
There are many rules that must be followed before entering an orthodox monastery. First, all visitors must wear proper clothing. They must avoid wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts. They should also cover their hair with a veil or scarf. There are also rules regarding shoes. Visitors are not allowed to wear sandals or flip flops. They must also wear socks.
Guests must respect the quiet hours of the monastery. During these times, guests are not allowed to talk to the monks. They should also avoid loud conversations and prolonged conversations. In addition, guests are not allowed to bring food or drinks into the guesthouse. They should also ensure that their children are supervised at all times.
Once inside the monastery, visitors must bow to the Abbot and kiss his hand. They are not allowed to cross themselves or prostrate before him. They must also refrain from touching any of the relics and statues.
Discerning tonsure in an orthodox monastery
In an orthodox monastery, the Hegumen, or the head of the monastery, has the ultimate authority over the monks. He is the spiritual father, who is also the principal confessor of his spiritual sons. His primary task is to oversee the monks’ access to Holy Confession on a regular basis. He must ensure that all priests with the proper faculty are available to the monks.
When a monk is tonsured into the novitiate, he is given a monastic name. This monastic name is usually the same as the name he received at baptism. The Hegumen may decide to change the monastic name later.
In the Eastern Orthodox church, there are three types of tonsure. In the first type, the hair is cut in a symbolic pattern. It is a symbolic act that symbolizes a person’s consecration to God. It is never done during a wedding, but rather as a mark of a person’s consecration to the monastic life.
