MONASTERY

(All dcrivedfrom the Gr./uavK, alone.) Words indicative of certain important features in ecclesiastical history. Monachus, or monk, properly signifies one who lives a solitary life, and was applied in the first instance to the numerous individuals who began in the second and third centuries to retire from the occupations of the world, and devote themselves in the deserts of Egypt and Syria to a contemplative and religious life. It was not till the middle of the third century that the monkish system, properly so called, was established, by which many persons were congregated together, and bound by vows to the performance of various religious duties and abstinence from wordly enjojTnents. These monks are distinguished by the appellation of Caenobites, or A ociates, from the ascetics, anchorites, and hermits, who lived apart not from the world only, but from each other. The monkish system originated in Egypt, where.St. Anthony founded several a ociations of this kind. The inmates of the primitive monasteries were bound by the profe ion of four objects: solitude, labour, fasting, and j)rayers. They renounced all temporal po e ions, and supported themselves entirely with their own hands. Fasting was practised lin moderation only; nor do the early monks appear to have afl'ected piety or regularity by the extravagant austerities of later times. For an useful list of books on the subject, see tliis article in the Penny Cyclopcedia. For an account of the progre of this practice, and the [s. 773]