Izvorni znanstveni članak
Monasticism – sign and impuls to unity of church
Dušan Moro
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet, Sveučilište u Splitu
Sažetak
Monastic life and monastic movements have their evangelical
foundation and inspiration. It is an ascetic movement inside the
original Church that emerges, grows and develops at the beginning,
middle and the end of the 4’th century, and particularly of the 5’th
century. It develops in different parts of Christian world, of which
the most important are Egypt, Palestine, Syria and Cappadocia in
the East, and Italy and Gaul in the West.
Generally, it grows into two basic directions: the eremite,
or anachoretic, i.e. the one that emphasizes and demands a
more solitary, desertlife, or more indipendent way of life, where
individuals or small groups of people follow a model, an example of
famous teachers and founders of particular ways of life, spending
their lives in prayer, ascetism, selfsacrifice, meditation and study
of Holy Scripture.
The other direction is the coenobitic, i.e. life in community,
shared life, in a well organized group of monks, friars, where
they practice ascetism, prayer, work, study and an overall action,
following the rule, principles and regulations, making growing
efforts to improve them. They live together in a harmoniously
regulated environment, in a «lavra», monastery, abbey, or a group
of monasteries and settlements («skits»).
The fathers and founders of monasticism in the East were:
St. Anthony (around +356), St. Pachomius (+345-346), St.
Maccarius(+390), St. Basilius the Great(+379), Aevagrius Pontic
(+399), and many others,while in the West ascetism and communal
life were practiced by St Augustine himself (+430), by St. John
Cassian (around +430), by St Jerome (who founded the monasteries
of the Western Christians in Betlehem, in Palestine,(+430), St
Martin of Tour (who founded a monastery in Marmoutier in 372
(+397), and also Rufinus, while particularly important was St
Benedictus from Nursia (543), the founder of the Order and the
author of the Benedictine Rule. Of course, there are many others
who contributed to the development of monasticism and evangelical
way of life.
Owing to various Rules and regulations, the documents and
writings of the « fathers» of monasticism and ascetic life, as well as
to the biographies of some saints and founders that were spreading
around and, in that way, becoming a mutual heritage of Christianity
and all of the local Churches, there was an interrelation and
mutual permeation between the eastern and western monasticism
and ascetism. In this way, spirituality and liturgical life deepened
and various forms of life, activities, as well as the testimonies of
particular Churches developed.
Therefore, every deeper and reciprocal study of the common
heritage, especially of that ascetic and monastic heritage, every
returning to the »origins«, contributes and can contribute to
ecumenism itself as well as to the ecumenical movement, which
has become »the sign of the times« and which is an inescapable
demand on contemporary Christianity.
And all is directed, i.e. should be directed toward the common
labour on establishing the unity of one unique Christ’s Church, and
to realize and put into practice, as soon and as evident as possible,
the prayer of Christ before the passion: «May they all be one, Father,
may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the
world may believe it was you who sent me!« (John 21,17).
And that more active inclusion of monks, friars, monastic
associations and Orders, whether they be from East or West, can
contribute a lot to getting to know each other; it can bring closer
and appropriate the mutual original heritage of the original Church,
which unites and obliges us. Because, the aspects of monastic life,
which tend to contemplation, prayer, and caring for liturgy, as
well as to work, evangelisation and commitment to the Church
missionary activities, show a vast wealth and spiritual heritage
in diversity. Exploring and cherishing of these specific aspects
contribute to both ecumenical rapprochement and work on the
unity and togetherness of all Christian Churches.
Ključne riječi
monk; monasticism; rule of monastic life; work; evangelization; piety; ecumenism
Hrčak ID:
93013
URI
Datum izdavanja:
15.3.2004.
Posjeta: 3.130 *