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by pbhjpbhj
3171 days ago
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To me a hermitage is just a hermits home? What are the recorded origins of monasticism? The Ancient Greeks formed intentional communities around philosophies/religion I think but I doubt they were the first? Hermits forming an intentional community still seems too contradictory to make sense to me. |
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In Christianity you have liturgical events which are meant to be communal, for example, communion must be done with multiple people present. Not to mention certain holidays. That's why hermits, although they live on the outskirts of society and are solitary, generally keep a minimal amount of contact with others.
> What are the recorded origins of monasticism? The Ancient Greeks formed intentional communities around philosophies/religion I think but I doubt they were the first?
Depends on whether or not you consider mythological religious figures, and some religions which didn't commit things to writing. But some of the earlier communities would be Greek yes, and also Indian monastics within the sramanic movements (Buddhism/Jainism). There's also semi-historical figures in Chinese Daoist mythology who lived as hermits/monastics, druids and shamans in some religions were reclusive and likely had a practice which resembled monasticism, etc...
Within Christianity it of course started with the Desert Fathers who were emulating St. John the Baptist as well as applying some of Jesus' exhortations literally.