رهبانيت در آيين مسيحيت

Monasticism in Christianity

Monasticism, meaning retirement and renunciation of society and devotion to worship and onerous austerities, has a very long precedent in Christianity; this phenomenon began, in its official form, in the 3rd century A.D. and has continued up to now. The present paper aims at introducing the background of this abnormal phenomenon, the related sects, and some of their rites. The monastic sects have set particular preconditions for individuals to attend their circles, imposing very strenuous and unbearable practices on their novices. Monasticism did not achieve any significant success; rather, it led to social and even moral abnormalities due to excess in austerities imposed on individualʹs soul. Thus, at a juncture in history, the Christian churches were also opposing these sects. The illustrative religion of Islam is diametrically opposed to the rise of such sects in society.