www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Novice for life?

I read on the Grades of Orthodox Monasticism article on wikipedia (I admit it!) about "some orthodox monastics will stay novices for life, out of humility".

I was under the impression that in ost cases, if a novice was offered the chance to become professed after three years or soand refused, they would be tossed out of the monastery as not having a vocation.

Can anyone shed any light? Does this happen?

Yes, it does happen. The mercy of God is very great.

This information puts me in mind of Blessed Rafael Arnaiz Baron (+1938) who because of health reasons could become only an oblate of the Trappist abbey of San Isidoro de las Duenas, Spain. He is to be canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in October of this year.

In Orthodoxy there are several grades of monasticism. The novice who is considering monastic life. The rassophore is tonsured into being a monastic. The Stravophore who formally takes his or her vows. Then the Great Schema. Not everyone in all traditions moves onto Great Schema. Maybe this is in part a piece of the answer to your question?

Indeed, one can be a life-long novice.

Fr. Serge

So, being a novice isn't just a discernment process,some people are monastics that, for reasons God only knows, do not need more monastic responsibilities?

Wow, that kind of freedom is wonderful.

Sometimes novices remain as such by reason of humility, as novices traditionally do the menial work at a monastery. Indeed, if you have seen the movie Ostrov, Fr Anatoli, the lead character, refuses tonsure, and lives and dies as a novice, shoveling coal, stoking furnaces, and performing miracles.

Alexandr