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Monastic Ranks

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'''Stavrophore''' (Slavonic: крестоносец, ''krestonosets''), lit. "Cross-bearer"— The next level for Eastern monastics takes place some years after the first tonsure when the abbot feels the monk has reached an appropriate level of discipline, dedication, and humility. This degree is also known as the '''Little Schema''', and is thought of as a "betrothal" to the Great Schema. At this stage, the monk makes formal vows of stability of place, chastity, obedience, and poverty. Then, he is tonsured and clothed in the habit, which in addition to that worn by the Rassaphore, includes the ''paramandyas'' (Slavonic: ''paraman''), a piece of square cloth worn on the back, embroidered with the instruments of the Passion, and connected by ties to a wooden cross worn over the heart. The paramandyas represents the yoke of Christ. Because of this addition he is now called ''Stavrophore'', or ''Cross-bearer''. He is also given a wooden hand cross (or "profession cross"), which he should keep in his [[icon corner]], and a beeswax candle, symbolic of monastic vigilance the sacrificing of himself for God. He will be buried holding the cross, and the candle will be burned at his funeral. In the Slavic practice, the Stavrophore also wears the monastic [[mantle]]. ''The rasson'' worn by the Stavrophore is more ample than that worn by the Rassaphore.
After the ceremony, the newly-tonsured Stavrophore will remain in [[vigil]] in the church for five days, refraining from all work, except spiritual reading. The abbot increases the Stavrophore monk’s [[prayer rule]], allows a more strict personal ascetic practice, and gives the monk more responsibility.
==Great Schema==
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