Entering a Monastery (Teachings of the Orthodox Church)

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If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don't have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing. If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing. Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with.

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	Entering a Monastery (Teachings of the Orthodox Church)

QUESTION:

I am a student who is convinced of the vanity and folly of this world and who would like to achieve inner peace the only way it is possible, through Jesus Christ.

Is monastic life the solution?

ANSWER:

Unfortunately, since I know nothing of your personal situation -- age, status, education, church involvement, etc. -- I cannot advise you as to whether the monastic life is a solution to your quest for inner peace.

I would caution, however, that monastic life should never be looked at as a way to avoid others or the problems of this world. Monasticism should not be seen as a way to "run away" from something; rather, it should be viewed as a "running to" Jesus Christ.

I would strongly advise that you discuss your concerns with your parish priest or spiritual Father, who would know your mind and soul much better than I would.

Published in January 2011.

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