We are not a living body that contains a soul

We are a living soul that dwells within a body!

Saturday, September 8, 2007

The Influence of Monasticism on the Church:

The two areas of influence, liturgy and iconography, would not have been possible without the contributions made by Byzantine monasticism. The victory of the Church over iconoclasm was by and large due to the work of Byzantine monks, as are liturgical regulations governing the cycle of Orthodox services today. Monasticism as a permanent institution did not exist prior to the fourth century. Its institutional origins will not be found in any single specific directive of the Lord or in any particular passage of the New Testament. Yet, its foundations are rooted in the totality of the Gospel message – which is the source of both its creativity and strength. Behind the physical withdrawal into the desert or monastery lies the renunciation of the world and of Satan to which every Christian commits themselves at baptism. The monastic vocation is intimately bound to the baptismal vow. Entering a monastery is simply another means by which some have chosen to live the absolute ideal of the Gospel. This may appear to be an extreme way to follow Jesus Christ, but all Christians, whether inside or outside a monastery, are ultimately called to the same renunciation, the same perfection, and the same fulfillment of the Gospel. A personal search for holiness is not the special preserve of monks.

Asceticism grew and influenced Orthodox spirituality, prayer, piety and general Church life because of its essentially Christian goals. Another area that is perhaps less well known, in which monasticism contributed to the Church, is the fact that the Church often recruited its episcopate from the countless monastic communities in the Byzantine countryside. One monastery, in particular, on Mt. Athos, besides producing 144 bishops, provided the Church with 26 patriarchs. Two thirds of the patriarchs of Constantinople between the ninth and thirteenth centuries were monastic. As the established faith of the Byzantine Empire, the Church was often in danger of identifying itself with the state, of becoming worldly and in the process, losing its eschatological dimension. The monastic presence was always there to remind the Church of its true nature and identity with another Kingdom. Its fierce opposition to any compromise of the Christian vision was crucial in the Church’s survival and independence.

I humbly hope and pray that you will accept this news with love and understanding. Reflect on its truth. Research it with an open mind in order to see the truth and if in fact any part of these letters that touches on any teaching that you are currently receiving and is shown to you to be true,

Then you will give up yourself, your pride, and your ego in this area and give it to the truth of Jesus Christ and change your life accordingly.

This is sent with the love of Christ for you from me.

As always, all comments and questions are welcome, send them to me at;

monkmichael@newwarriorministries.com.

Monk Michael

A humble servant of Jesus Christ

On the Web at: http://www.newwarriorministries.com

Email: monkmichael@newwarriorministries.com

Phone: (803) 377-1244

Chester, SC

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