Monastics are the institutional and spiritual 
heart of Orthodoxy. I had a wonderful interview with Priest-monk Peter Preble yesterday. One of the things we agreed on was that we need to do a better job making monasticism real to our parishioners. This would provide a net benefit to everyone involved; monks, laity, calibates, parishes, and our country. Here are some concrete suggestions on how to make this happen:
- Facilitate two to three day visits of lay-leaders to monasteries. Some of our people already visit monasteries on big feast days; I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about going during a down time to live the quiet rhythm of the place.
- Encourage our single men and women to take extended trips to monasteries. As I said in my most recent podcast (Vocations), the worst that will happen is that they will come back with more peace than they left with; at the most they will have found a joyous home.
- Priests should do this, too. We need to go on extended retreats (at least three days) to remind us of who and whose we are. Yes, this happens every Divine Liturgy; but we need to go to a place where nothing is expected of us so that we are genuinely in Christ (and not hiding behind our brocade mask).
- All of us should support the work of specific monasteries through regular giving and patronage. I don’t get to visit St. Tikhon’s as often as I’d like, but we give a (small) amount every month as part of our tithe to the Church. We also buy as many of our parish goods (especially candles) from them.
Like I said, these steps will invigorate our parishes. Following them will also help correct something that is critically lacking: monasticism will seem a natural part of our life in Christ. As such, it will be meet and right (and automatic) for our single men and women to consider the monastic vocation.
