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T h e F a t h e r s K n o w B e s t
Monks and Nuns
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This Rock
Volume 12, Number 2
 February 2001 
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The consecrated life has been part of the true religion since before the time of Christ. In the Old Testament there was an entire order of men and women known as Nazirites ("consecrated ones") who were specially consecrated to God. They took special vows of self-denial (Num. 6:2–4, 6–8) and had a distinctive appearance (Num. 6:5). John the Baptist was one of these (Luke 1:15), as were Samson (Judg. 13:5–6) and Samuel (1 Sam. 1:11). In addition, there were others leading the consecrated lifestyle, such as the prophetess Anna, who lived like a contemplative nun (Luke 2:36–37).
In the Christian age, Paul himself took a temporary vow (Acts 18:18), and recommended that others live celibate lives consecrated to God (1 Cor. 7:32–38), especially ministers (1 Tim. 2:3–4). He even set up an order of widows living the consecrated life after the deaths of their husbands (1 Tim. 5:3–12), warning that those were not to be enrolled in this order if they were in danger of leaving the consecrated life to get married and so "they incur condemnation for having violated their first pledge" (1 Tim. 5:12).
Based on this wealth of biblical material, the early Church perpetuated the consecrated life, and over the years it has taken a variety of forms. For a time, for example, there were separate orders of widows (a la 1 Tim. 5:12) from the orders of virgins of Christ (a la 1 Cor. 7:34), and from the order of deaconesses, who assisted in certain church duties, though they were not ordained (see the citation from I Nicea, below). Later, these were merged into the modern concept of the nun, while men living the consecrated life came to be known as monks.
Justin Martyr
[Scripture says:] "There are some who have been made eunuchs of men, and some who were born eunuchs, and some who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake; but all cannot receive this saying" [Matt. 19:12, 11]. . . . And many [of us], both men and women, who have been Christ’s disciples from childhood, remain pure at the age of sixty or seventy years; and I boast that I could produce such from every race of men. (First Apology 15 [A.D. 151])
Hippolytus
[In the last days the] temples of God will be like houses, and there will be overturnings of the churches everywhere. The scriptures will be despised. . . . And, on the whole, from among those who profess to be Christians will rise up then false prophets, false apostles. . . . The shepherds will be like wolves; the priests will embrace falsehood; the monks will lust after the things of the world. (Discourse on the Antichrist 7 [A.D. 200])
Zosimus
After this I [Zosimus] lived thirty-six years, and communicated the way of life of the blessed to the fathers in the desert. . . . And after the completion of the thirty-six years, the angels of God came to me as to the blessed. And all the monks were gathered together and all who heard it, and this testament was read to all of them, and in such life he gave up his soul to God. (The Narrative of Zosimus 21 [A.D. 225])
Liturgy of St. Mark
Remember the orthodox bishops everywhere, the elders, deacons, sub-deacons, readers, singers, monks, virgins, widows, and laity. (Liturgy of St. Mark, priest’s prayer during the offering of incense [A.D. 250])
Cyprian
But if they [consecrated virgins] have faithfully dedicated themselves to Christ, let them persevere in modesty and chastity, without incurring any evil report, and so in courage and steadiness await the reward of virginity. But if they are unwilling or unable to persevere, it is better that they should marry than that by their crimes they should fall into the fire. Certainly let them not cause a scandal to the brethren or sisters. (Letters 61:2 [A.D. 253])
The Martyrdom of Shamuna, Guria, and Habib
In the six hundredth year from the empire of Alexander the Macedonian, when Diocletian had been nine years sovereign of the Romans [i.e., in A.D. 293] . . . a great persecution was raised against the churches in all the countries which were under the sway of the Romans. The name of Christian was looked upon as execrable and was assailed and harassed with abuse; while the priests and the monks, on account of their staunch and unconquerable steadfastness, were-subjected to shocking punishments. (Martyrdom of Shamuna, Guria, and Habib [A.D. 300])
Council of Ancyra
If any persons who profess virginity shall disregard their profession, let them fulfill the [penitential] term for digamists [since they were first married spiritually to Christ]. And, moreover, we prohibit women who are virgins from living with men as sisters. (Canon 19 [A.D. 314])
Council of Nicea I
Likewise in the case of their [the Paulianists’] deaconesses . . . let the same form be observed. And we mean by deaconesses such as have assumed the habit, but who, since they have no imposition of hands [holy orders], are to be numbered only among the laity. (Canon 19 [A.D. 325])
Athanasius
Now these arguments of ours do not amount merely to words, but have in actual experience a witness to their truth. For let him that will, go up and behold the proof of virtue in the virgins of Christ and in the young men that practice holy chastity, and the assurance of immortality in so great a band of his martyrs. (The Incarnation of the Word of God 48:1–2 [A.D. 318])
Athanasius
The Son of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, having become man for our sakes . . . bestowed this also upon us, that we should possess upon earth, in the state of virginity, a picture of the holiness of angels. Accordingly, such as have attained this virtue, the Catholic Church has been accustomed to call the brides of Christ. And the heathen who see them express their admiration of them as the temples of the Word. For indeed this holy and heavenly profession is nowhere established, but only among us Christians, and it is a very strong argument that with us is to be found the genuine and true religion. (Defense Before Constantius 33 [A.D. 357])
Athanasius
Athanasius the bishop to the brethren in foreign parts: You have entered upon a noble rivalry with the monks of Egypt by your determination either to equal or surpass them in your training in the way of virtue. For by this time there are monasteries among you, and the name of monk receives public recognition. With reason, therefore, all men will approve this determination, and in answer to your prayers God will give its fulfillment. (Life of St. Anthony, introduction [A.D. 359])
Council of Hippo
Holy virgins, when they are separated from their parents by whom they have been wont to be guarded, as to be commended by the care of the bishop, or presbyter where the bishop is absent, to women of graver age, so that living with them they may take care of them, lest they hurt the reputation of the Church by wandering about. (Canon 31 [A.D. 393])
Jerome
Far be it from me to censure [the bishops,] the successors of the apostles, who with holy words consecrate the body of Christ, and who make us Christians. . . . But, as I have before hinted, the case of monks is different from that of the clergy. The clergy feed Christ’s sheep; I as a monk am fed by them. (Letters 14:8 [A.D. 396])
Jerome
The Arians do right to accuse me, but the orthodox forfeit their orthodoxy when they assail a faith like mine. They may, if they like, condemn me as a heretic; but if they do they must also condemn Egypt and the West, [Popes] Damasus and Peter. Why do they fasten the guilt on one and leave his companions uncensured? . . . I blush to say it, but from the caves which serve us for cells we monks of the desert condemn the world. Rolling in sack-cloth and ashes, we pass sentence on bishops. (Ibid., 17:2)
Augustine
It is not right to give occasion for God’s servants to think that a promotion to a better position is more readily given to those who have become worse. Such a rule would make monks less careful of falling, and a most grievous wrong would be done to the order of clergy, if those who have deserted their duty as monks be chosen to serve as clergy, seeing that our custom is to select for that office only the more tried and superior men of those who continue faithful to their calling as monks. (Letters 60:1 [A.D. 412])
Council of Chalcedon
It is not lawful for a virgin who has dedicated herself to the Lord God, nor for monks, to marry; and if they are found to have done this, let them be excommunicated. But we decree that in every place the bishop shall have the power of indulgence toward them. (Canon 16 [A.D. 451])
Patrick
How, then, are the people of Ireland, who never had the knowledge of God, but until now worshiped idols and unclean things, how are they lately been made a people of the Lord, and are called the sons of God? The sons of the Scots and the daughters of their kings are seen to become monks and virgins of Christ! (Confession of St. Patrick 41 [A.D. 452])
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