Where do Orthodox Monks and Nuns come from?

Orthodox monks and nuns are recruited from all walks of life. The greater numbers were from peasant stock, but at the same time many a great name lay hidden under the humble black habit and the new Christian name. Certainly there were to be found many ignorant and uncultured monks, because the cloister was and is open to all, learned and unlearned. But if one reads the daily offices and grasps the scriptural and theological wealth and hears the readings from the Holy Fathers, that are the ordinary monk’s daily fare, one begins to think twice about the intellectual superiority of their critics. It must not be forgotten either that it was the monks who translated them into their native tongues and are still doing so. Nuns also take part in this work. There are also writings that are particular to each nation, the beauty of which are unsurpassed in secular compositions, but which are little known outside the cloister. In monasteries were painted the world famous icons and from them came precious embroideries and priceless illuminated documents. All was written, painted and worked anonymously for the greater glory of God. Humility is the keynote of all Christian monasticism.

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