Can a monk return to normal life? – Russia today Posting in CHAT: Russia The decision to enter a monastery must be balanced, because it changes your entire life and deprives you of worldly blessings. A person surrenders to God, makes a promise that he adheres to until the end of his days. But life is an unpredictable thing, and it happens that a monk changes his mind and wants to return to his past worldly life. Can he leave the brethren and how does life develop outside the walls of the monastery? John Chrysostom compared such a monk to a deserter on the battlefield or to an unfaithful groom who broke his marriage vow, and equated the act with tonsure forever. very different from ordinary life, but people with a strong faith in God also gather there. But it happens that the monk decided to break his promise and wanted to leave the monastery. These people are credited with the "exhaustion" factor that justifies the action. Unbelief or lack of faith may be hidden under this, as the elders and clergy say. The monk simply did not have enough strength to surrender to God, and worldly temptations took over. When monasteries first appeared, monks went to a monastery for the rest of their lives. After tonsure and vows, they were given different names. For them, worldly life was already closed until the end of their days. Even if someone could not stand life in the monastery and tried to escape, he would be sent back. The Holy Fathers Efim the Syrian and the Monk Cassian spoke about this categorically: “Renunciation does not happen for one day, but extends even to a day. death. Roman law stated that such a monk should be sent back to the monastery, and if he escaped again, he should be recruited as a soldier. But Emperor Leo the Wise did not like this decision. He believed that those who have given themselves to the ranks of God's servants cannot be among the worldly army. Therefore, the monk, despite the fact that he has renounced his vows, must be returned to the monastery and remain there until the end of his days. When there is an opportunity to break a vow, this only encourages worldly temptations. The legality of renunciation of a vow according to canonists and priests. Changes in church rules appeared under Peter I, when with his reforms he wanted to subordinate the church to the state. It was then that the rule first appeared according to which monks could leave monasteries by renouncing their vows. But such a justification found no legal basis; according to church canons, Meletius Apostolopoul wrote in his law published in 1906 that the Russian Church allows one to leave the monastic image, return to worldly life, and even get married. But none of the canonists in Russia could explain this right, which is not in the teaching of the Eastern Church and does not exist in practice. later this right was approved in the Spiritual Consistory. In 1917, because of the revolution, a revolution occurred, or rather, it was imposed on the thinking of the people. The policy of renunciation of the church and religion forced the monks to leave the monasteries. But at the same time, there was a ban on violating one’s rights in worldly life. They had the right to become full members of society without restrictions or discrimination on religious grounds. The practice of leaving monasticism already existed in the twentieth century, but Patriarch Alexy II did not accept it, believing that even the most difficult circumstances are the reason. renounce the monastic vow. He believed that marriage should not be recognized, and if he was defrocked and he wanted to live with someone, then only in civilian life, cohabiting with a partner. Refusal to take an oath was considered a violation of the oath given to God. When tonsured, a person entrusts himself to him, and this position remains forever. A monk renounces virginity, so renunciation followed by marriage was equated to adultery, and such a monk was excommunicated from the church for 14 years. John Chrysostom named the reason for the unfulfillment of marriage - Jesus Christ is always alive, and only he can decide whether to terminate this promise. Therefore, a monk can be considered dead to worldly life, since monks were defrocked. Having expressed his desire, he will still have to go through a lot and prove that he is firm in his decision. Spiritual leaders do the same. Conversations are held with the monk to find the reasons for his weakness of spirit and to convince him to stay in the monastery without breaking this vow. If within 6 months it is not possible to return him to the true path, then they begin the ritual of defrocking. The text of the decree on defrocking is read aloud to the monk, and then those present shout “Anaxios!”, to which. means. "unworthy". Under these words, the monk’s clothes are removed and burned along with other church things that have served their purpose. The hair and beard were cut off, the name given during tonsure was taken away, ordinary clothes were given, and the person was kicked out of the temple with a stick. Thus, the apostate was deprived of everything he received at tonsure, which is why the reverse ritual was called "cutting the tonsure." A special ritual still exists, but without cutting off hair. What the former monk faced in everyday life: prohibitions and restrictions. The monk, returning to secular life, had to rejoin society and find a job. In the Russian Empire, such people were treated with prejudice, so they did not have to count on their former life. They became, to some extent, outcasts - they were excommunicated from the church, and society did not accept them. The local church, at its discretion, could create a punishment by depriving some of the right to appear in church. for a time He could not receive communion, and if he had a high rank and preached, he was deprived of this opportunity. But in public life not everything was so simple. Former monks were not accepted into government service for 10 years, and they could only join the army as ordinary soldiers. After leaving the monastery, defrocked monks were required to stay away from the monastery for 7 years. Those defrocked had to leave the province in which the monastery was located and not approach it for 7 years, and entry into the capital was prohibited; Monks who refused their vow to marry actually received something else. Defrocked, they could not do this, since they were not allowed to attend church sacraments, and therefore at weddings. They already had a promise before God, and it remained for life. It was possible to undress only in a civil marriage. In fact, for more than 80 years the Russian Church has been allowing marriages for former monks, although there is still no rational justification for this action. The act remains unacceptable, but there is no categorical condemnation, and the idea that the person had a good reason is acceptable. It is more honest when a monk admits his weakness than a secret marriage and then actually leaving the monastery. This is the duty of a monk, who must understand that the monastic vow is not given to the church, but to God, and one must answer to Him. But the choice always remains with the person, and, probably, realizing the mistake, he will want to return back to the monastery. Will he be able to do this after some time? How do monks return to monasteries? He is a tonsured monk, and the vow he makes remains with a person for the rest of his life, despite the fact that he has survived the rank of monasticism. The monastic order cannot be taken away or changed, therefore a defrocked person can return to monasticism again, having atoneed for his guilt through faithful service. In ancient times, there were also cases when monks left their monasteries en masse. And although the church did not approve of such an act, it still believed that nothing could deprive a person of the rank of monk who had once taken monastic vows. he must realize that life in the monastery will be somewhat different. The one who returns will no longer be able to occupy the rank that he had before the reduction, and will serve as a simple monk along with the brethren. The undressed must pass the test of time in order to prove to others and, above all, to himself that he is ready to perform divine services. Only after this was he given back his church name and monastic robes. Actress Ekaterina Vasilyeva received a nun. Source link Source link
