What is monastic life?
The early monks described it in one phrase: leaving all to be united to the One. A monk leaves money, possessions, relationships and anything else that distracts from Christ, so that nothing stands between him and God.
People sometimes think monks are trying to discipline themselves, the way other religions have monks. That is not the goal. Fasting and prayer are means, not the end. They unite us with Christ: with Him in the desert, in His death and resurrection, and in His ascension. There is an old story of a monk who was told that Lent had begun. He answered that all his life was Lent.
Where did it begin?
Life in the wilderness is older than the Church: Elijah, Moses, John the Baptist, and our Lord Himself, who went into the desert for forty days. But the monastic life as the Church keeps it began with St Anthony of Egypt, a young man who heard the Gospel, sold his inheritance and went into the desert. Within about fifty years monasticism had spread like wildfire. The age of the martyrs had ended, and people who could no longer give their lives in martyrdom gave them to Christ in the desert. St Athanasius wrote the Life of Anthony, and it travelled to the West. Visitors came to Egypt from France, Rome and Syria to see the monks for themselves.
Are there different kinds of monks?
There are three. St Anthony lived as a solitary, alone in a cave, meeting others for the Liturgy. Semi-solitary monks live with a small group of disciples around an elder. In community life, begun by St Pachomius, all the monks live together and nothing is owned privately.
Is it in the Bible?
The call to Anthony was the Gospel itself: sell all and follow Christ. Think too of Mary and Martha. Our Lord said Mary had chosen the good part. The Church does not teach that marriage or service is lesser. Marriage, evangelism and monastic life are all blessed. Monasticism is one way to reach Christ, not the only way.
Why does it still matter?
Monks usually studied and worked before they came, so their poverty is a choice. It shows people that you can be happy without chasing money. Monks also pray for the world. Students send us prayer requests before their exams. And people learn from example more than from words, which is why retreats matter: young people come, join the prayers, the Liturgy and the work, and see the life for themselves.
What can ordinary Christians take from it?
Two things. First, go on retreat regularly, even three days every month or two, so you don't wait until you break down. Second, discipleship is part of monastic life, and everyone needs it, so have a confession father who guides you.
If you want to read further, start with the Life of Anthony and The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, or Practical Spirituality for life in the world. See all our books on monastic life. You can also watch the whole conversation on the St Shenouda Press Podcast: Is monasticism extreme? Coptic monasticism explained.