Communal Monasticism

1. St Pachomius.2. Pachomian monasteries3. Pachomian Rules.4. Monasticism in the West:

St Benedict5. Monastic communities in

the US today. Apa Menos is a friend of God

St. Pachomius (290-346)

• Founded a monastery at Tabenninsi in Egypt about 320 AD

• Wrote the first monastic rule

Pachomius & David of Thessalonica (right)

Main architectural features of Pachomius’s monastery

• Enclosing wall

• Gate-house

• Guest-house

• Assembly Hall (church or synaxis)

• Refectory with Kitchen

• Hospital

• Several houses with cells for monks

Monastery of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai.

Monastery of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai.

Monastery of Anba Hatre in Egypt

Anba Hatre. Plan of the monastery.

Principal Church (11th c.; remains)

A Cell with Stone Beds

The Father of Western Monasticism: St. Benedict of Nursia (480-547)

Monastic vows:• Poverty• Chastity• Obedience• (Stability)

Monte Cassino, Liri Valley, Italy

Monte Cassino, Main Basilica (17-18th c.)

Monasteries as vehicles of culture

Monasteries in the US Today:• Cistercian (Trappist) Assumption

Abbey for men in Ava, Missouri: http://assumptionabbey.org

• Cistercian (Trappist) New Melleray Abbey for men in Dubuque, Iowa: http://www.newmelleray.org/index.html

• Our Lady of the Mississippi monastery for women in Dubuque, Iowa: http://www.mississippiabbey.org

Taize

http://www.contemplation.com/Hermitage/community.html

http://www.chartreux.org/

OT Patriarchs with the souls of the righteous in their hands