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Written in the sixth century by St[http://books.google. Benedict com/books?id=J6bxIhNMRn0C&pg=PA58&lpg=PA58&dq=athos+monastery+benedictine&source=web&ots=gbRW7eL_-X&sig=_vf05KnEpCU2Lz0-CjytqvpEa7c&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result The Latin Monastery of Nursia, Amalfi] observed the Rule of St. Benedict proved to be the most influential guide of Western on [[monasticismMount Athos]] until after 1287; in the Great Schismeleventh century, perhaps the most influential guide ever this ruling Benedictine monastery was ranked fifth in the WestHoly Mountain's hierarchy. Followed continuously since Various other Orthodox have kept the Rule in recent times, including the time monks of St. BenedictLuke's Priory under the Antiochian [[Western Rite Vicariate]]. Presently, this rule is currently used by Roman Catholicthe [[Christ the Savior Monastery (Hamilton, Ontario)|Christ the Savior Monastery]] (ROCOR) in Hamilton, OrthodoxOntario, AnglicanCanada, and Lutheran monasteries(sometimes known as "Christminster") follows the Benedictine monastic rule. Designed for Likewise, among the Old Calendarists, the [[monk]]s sharing The Abbey of the common lifeHoly Name (West Milford, New Jersey)|Abbey of the Rule is renowned for Holy Name]] and its spiritual riches, gentleness, and balancevarious dependencies.
The Rule of St. Benedict has been kept in continual obedience by monks since the time it was written. [http://books.google.com/books?id=J6bxIhNMRn0C&pg=PA58&lpg=PA58&dqHabit=athos+monastery+benedictine&source=web&ots=gbRW7eL_-X&sig=_vf05KnEpCU2Lz0-CjytqvpEa7c&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result The Latin Monastery Rule of Amalfi] observed the Rule on [[Mount Athos]] until 1287; in the eleventh century, this ruling Benedictine monastery was ranked fifth in the Holy Mountain's hierarchySt. Various other Orthodox have kept Benedict does not stipulate a particular colour for the Rule in recent timesmonastic habit, including and the monks habit of Stunbleached, undyed, wool has not been unknown among Benedictines. Luke's Priory under the Antiochian [[Western Rite Vicariate]]. Presently However, the [[Christ colour most associated with the Savior Monastery Benedictine tradition is black, (Hamilton, Ontario)|Christ hence the Savior Monastery]] (ROCOR) in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, (sometimes known as name "Christminsterblack monk"used to refer to a Benedictine monk) follows the Benedictine monastic rule. Likewise, among and that is the Old Calendarists, the [[The Abbey of the Holy Name (West Milford, New Jersey)|Abbey of the Holy Name ]]and its various dependenciescolour currently worn by Orthodox Benedictines.
[http://www.christminster.org Christ the Savior Monastery], a There are currently no female Benedictine monastery under monastic houses in the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia|Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia]].
[http://holynameabbey==Oblature==The word ''oblate'' derives from the Latin ''oblatus'', which means "one offered".org Abbey Oblates of Saint Benedict offer themselves to God in much the same way that monks and nuns do, except that they do not take monastic vows or necessarily live within the Holy Name]monastic enclosure. Rather, they make a Benedictine monastery under commitment to God, in the [[Holy Synod presence of Milan | Autonomous Orthodox Metropolia the monastic community (or the parish community, depending on circumstances) to strive to live according to the Rule of Western Europe St. Benedict as adapted to suit their own life situations. Usually, the rule is adapted according to the individual spiritual and practical needs of each oblate by the abbot or oblate master of the Americas]]monastery to which he or she is to retain a bond of practical support and spiritual obedience.
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[[Image:Benedict.JPG|rightleft|thumb|250px|Benedict of Nursia]]{{Westernrite}}The '''Rule of Benedict''' is a rule for life in a [[cenobitic]] [[monastery]]. Written in the sixth century by St. [[Benedict of Nursia]], the Rule of St. Benedict proved to be the most influential guide of Western [[monasticism]] until after the Great Schism, perhaps the most influential guide ever in the West. Followed continuously since the time of St. Benedict, this rule is generally currently used by Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran monasteries in . Designed for [[monk]]s sharing the common life, the WestRule is renowned for its spiritual riches, gentleness, and balance.
==Contents==
The [[saint]] described his rule as "a school of the Lord's service, in which we hope to introduce nothing harsh or burdensome." In its 73 chapters, he prescribes a full way of life for cenobitic monks to "share in the sufferings of Christ, and be found worthy to be coheirs with Him of His kingdom." In addition to the moral and spiritual aspects of common life, he describes the proper attributes of monks and the ruling [[Abbot]], the proper form of Divine Office, and even the appropriate way to greet visitors.
The Abbot of the monastery is to be blameless, one who teaches the righteousness of Christ through his own words and deeds. Since he is a ruler, he must be impartial, not loving one [[monk ]] above another nor implementing the monastery's rules selectively. He must exhort the righteous to further righteousness and punish those who err, always adapting himself to the peculiar needs and spiritual attainments of each. Above all, he must always remember he will give account for the souls of the monks entrusted to his care on the Judgment Day.
When any decision is to be made, the Abbot is to ask the counsel of all the monastics gathered in a common meeting, but he makes the final decision himself. The monks are to offer their views humbly and in submission.
In the fourth chapter, the saint lists 73 "instruments of good works." Of these, perhaps the most important is the injunction to "prefer nothing to the love of Christ." Silence, humility, hospitality, holy reading, and spiritual discernment (or guarding of the heart) play vital roles in the Rule.
Guarding of the heart occurs when the monks keep "a constant watch over the actions of our life," "hold as certain that God sees us everywhere," "dash at once against [[Jesus Christ |Christ]] the evil thoughts which rise in one's heart," and "disclose them to our spiritual father."
Silence is a pronounced feature of the Rule. Monks were to keep strict silence for several hours a day and great silence after Compline. During meals, the monks were to keep silence while another monk read from a holy book, speaking only through gestures, and then only if absolutely necessary. Monks may speak at other times with the permission of the Abbot, but St. Benedict so values silence and so understands the likelihood of sin that comes with much speaking that he instructs, "let permission to speak be seldom given to perfect disciples even for good and holy and edifying discourse."
The Rule states it is intended for beginners, and recommends monks read the Monastic Rule of [[Basil the Great|St. Basil]], the the ''Institutes'' and ''Conferences'' of [[John Cassian|St. John Cassian]], as well as the Bible and the lives of the saints, as they advance in their asceticism.
The first layer of the habit is the [[tunic]], which is secured in place by a belt. This is the form of habit worn by oblates during their period of [[novitiate]]. The next layer is the monastic [[scapular]], which is a tabard-like garment worn over the tunic. The tunic, belt, and scapular, (with a head-veil for women), form the complete habit worn by oblates while in the monastic enclosure and by monastics during the Novitiate. Outside of the monastery, the oblates simply wear a reduced scapular and the [[Saint Benedict Medal]] under civilian clothing. When the monastic makes his solemn profession, he is tonsured and invested with the [[cowl]]. Monastics and oblates alike, upon their repose, are buried in the habit proper to their order. ==External LinksOrthodox Benedictines today== The Benedictine tradition was largely lost to the Orthodox Church until the 20th century, when a revival was seen, encouraged by the efforts to restore the [[Western Rite]] to Orthodoxy which began in the 19th century. In 1962, under the leadership of its abbot, Dom Augustine (Whitfield), the Monastery of Our Lady of [[Mount Royal]], which had been an Old Catholic monastic community since its foundation in 1910, was received into the Moscow Patriarchal [[Russian Orthodox Church]] by Bishop [[Dositheus (Ivanchenko) of New York]]. It was later received into the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, in 1975, by Archbishop Nikon (Rkitzsky). Mount Royal continued up until 2010, finally ceasing with the repose of Abbot Augustine. In 1993, Bishop [[Hilarion (Kapral) of New York|Hilarion (Kapral)]] of Manhattan (now Metropolitan Hilarion, First [[Hierarch]] of the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]]) blessed the founding of a new Benedictine monastery under its abbot, Dom James (Deschene), the former Prior of Mount Royal. Christ the Saviour Monastery (Christminster) today runs an oblate programme and seeks to make modest provision for the formation of [[clergy]] within the [[Western Rite]] of the Orthodox Church, a provision lacking in most Orthodox [[seminary|seminaries]]. It also publishes music and liturgical books to enhance the offering of the Western Rite Orthodox [[liturgy]]. In 1997, Hilarion (Kapral), then Archbishop of Sydney, received into the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia the monastery of Saint Petroc in Tasmania, Australia. This monastic community had been formed as a Continuing Anglican monastery in 1992 under its [[superior]], Hieromonk Michael (Mansbridge-Wood). While it is not a Benedictine foundation it did have a Benedictine presence attached to it in the form of the Holyrood hermitage in Florida, which has since become an independent monastic hermitage under Abbot David (Pierce). ===Communities===There are currently at least five Benedictine monastic houses within the Orthodox Church, namely Our Lady of Mount Royal, under Abbot Augustine (Whitfield); the [[Christ the Savior Monastery (Hamilton, Ontario)|Christ the Saviour Monastery]] (or Christminster) is a Benedictine monastery of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia and is currently under Abbot James (Deschene); and the Abbey of the Holy Name with its daughter house of St John the Theologian. In addition, an oblate programme exists at [http://www.kansasmonksrussianorthodoxoklahoma.orgSaint Benedict Russian Orthodox Church] in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. All of these houses and the parish in Oklahoma City are either under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia or the [http:/RuleOfStBenedict/www.html The Rule orthodoxchristians.eu/ Holy Synod of StMilan]. BenedictWithin the United States of America, the [[Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America]], while having no monastic houses, does have a number of [[parish]]es that run an oblate programme.
Oblates may be male or female, celibate or married. They are not [[tonsure]]d as monastics, and, unlike monastic vows, their oblation may be revoked at any time. Out of necessity, Antiochian oblates are not usually attached to a monastery, (except for those who are under the direction of Christminster), as there are currently no Benedictine monasteries in that jurisdiction. However, the oblature operates on the parish level.
==External Links==
*[[w:Order of Saint Benedict (Orthodox)|Order of Saint Benedict]] on Wikipedia
*[http://www.kansasmonks.org/RuleOfStBenedict.html The Rule of St. Benedict]
*[http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/liturgics/bolshakoff_power_of_prayer.htm Orthodox Research Institute article] - an article about the now defunct, Benedictine d’Alleray Priory of Paris
*[http://www.christminster.org/ Christ the Saviour Monastery] - A male Benedictine community in Hamilton, ON, Canada (also known as ''Christminster'')
*[http://www.westernorthodox.ca The Oratory of Our Lady of Glastonbury] - the monastery chapel of Christminster
*[http://holynameabbey.org Abbey of the Holy Name], a Benedictine monastery under the [[Holy Synod of Milan | Autonomous Orthodox Metropolia of Western Europe and the Americas]].
*[http://paruchia.blogspot.com/2006/03/monastic-oblates-brief-overview_29.html Monastic Oblates: A Brief Overview] - an article by Dom James (Deschene) on the Benedictine Oblature
*[http://www.christminster.org/oblates.htm Oblate Observances] - detailing the Observances of the Oblates of Christminster
*[http://orthodoxoblates.wordpress.com/ Another site with aids for living the oblate life]
*[http://www.allmercifulsavior.com/Liturgy/Amalfion%20Oct%202002.pdf Amalfion (.pdf)] - An essay on the Benedictine monastery of Mount Athos
*[http://www.stmichaelwhittier.org/resources/osboff7.pdf Offices and Prayers of the Oblates of St Benedict (.pdf)] - A collection of services and prayers used by Benedictine Oblates under the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America
*[http://www.stcolumbachurch.org/benedictine_oblates.html St Columba Orthodox Church] - detailing the constitution and guidelines of the Antiochian Oblate programme
*[http://saintlaurenceosb.org/index.html The Benedictine Fellowship of St Laurence]
*[http://www.theorthodoxchurch.org/documents/The%20Western%20Orthodox%20Liturgy%20-%20Order%20for%20the%20Celebration%20-%20Restored.pdf The Mass of St Gregory the Great (.pdf)] - The Benedictine Use of Mount Royal
*[http://www.theorthodoxchurch.org/documents/Western%20Orthodox%20Liturgy%20-%20Restored.pdf Directions for the Mass of St Gregory (.pdf)] - for use in conjunction with the above
[[category: Orthodox spirituality series]]
[[category: Western Rite]]
