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, 1930; photograph by Doris Ulmann ]] A nun is a Woman who has taken special vows committing her to a religious life.The Oxford English Dictionary, vol X, page 599. She may be an Ascetic who chooses to voluntarily leave Mainstream Society and live her life in Prayer and contemplation in a Monastery or Convent . The term "nun" is applicable to Roman Catholic s, Eastern Christians , Anglicans , Jains , Lutherans , Buddhists , and Taoist , for example. The male equivalent of a nun is a Monk . CHRISTIANITY Eastern Orthodox See Also: Eastern Christian Monasticism In the Eastern Orthodox Church there is no distinction between a monastery for men and a monastery for women. In the Greek Language both domiciles are called monasteries and the ascetics who live there are Monastics. In English, however, it is acceptable to use the terms "nun," "convent," and "abbess" simply for clarity and convenience. Orthodox monastics do not have "orders" as in the Roman Catholic Church. Orthodox monks and nuns lead identical spiritual lives.Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy, ''The Law of God'' (Printshop of St. Job of Pochaev, Jordanville, NY, ISBN 0-88465-004-8), p. 618. There may be slight differences in the way a monastery functions internally but these are simply differences in style (Gr. '' Typica '') dependent on the Abbess or Abbot . The Abbess is the spiritual leader of the convent and her authority is absolute (no Priest , Bishop , or even Patriarch can override an abbess within the walls of her monastery). There has always been fair equality between men and women in the Orthodox Church (). Abbots and Abbesses rank in authority equal to bishops in many ways and were included in Ecumenical Council s. Abbesses hear Confession s (but do not Absolve ) and dispense Blessing s on their charges, though they still require the services of a Presbyter (i.e., a priest) to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and perform other priestly functions, such as the absolution of a penitent. Orthodox monastics, in general have little or no contact with the outside world, especially family. The pious family whose child decides to enter the monastic profession understands that their child will become "dead to the world" and therefore be unavailable for marriage. There are a number of different levels that the nun passes through in her profession: See Also: Degrees of Orthodox monasticism before becoming a nun. Nikolai Nevrev , 1886.]] :Novice—When one enters a monastery the first three to five years are spent as a Novice . Novices may or may not (depending on the abbess's wishes) dress in the black inner robe ( Isorassa ); those who do will also usually wear the Apostolnik or a black scarf tied over the head (see photo, above). The isorassa is the first part of the monastic " Habit " of which there is only one style for Orthodox monastics (this is true in general, there have been a few slight regional variations over the centuries, but the style always seems to precipitate back to a style common in the 3rd or 4th century). If a novice chooses to leave during the novitiate period no penalty is incurred. :Rassaphore—When the abbess deems the novice ready, the novice is asked to join the monastery. If she accepts, she is Tonsure d in a formal service during which she is given the outer robe ( Exorassa ) and veil ( Epanokamelavkion ) to wear, and (because she is now dead to the world) receives a new name. Nuns consider themselves part of a sisterhood; however, tonsured nuns are usually addressed as "Mother" (in some convents, the title of "Mother" is reserved to those who enter into the next level of Stavrophore). :Stavrophore—The next level for monastics takes place some years after the first tonsure when the abbess feels the nun has reached a level of discipline, dedication, and humility. Once again, in a formal service the nun is elevated to the "Little Schema" which is signified by additions to her habit of certain symbolic articles of clothing. In addition, the abbess increases the nun’s Prayer Rule , she is allowed a stricter personal ascetic practice, and she is given more responsibility. :Great Schema—The final stage, called "Megaloschemos" or " Great Schema " is reached by nuns whose Abbess feels they have reached a high level of excellence. In some monastic traditions the Great Schema is only given to monks and nuns on their death bed, while in others they may be elevated after as little as 25 years of service. One difference between Roman Catholic and Orthodox nuns is that Orthodox do not have "active" communities with apostolates such as teaching or nursing, so Orthodox nuns do not leave the monastery unless they need to. However, care and concern for the poor, the sick and those in need have always been a Charism of the monastic life, so just as Orthodox monasteries have never been "active" in the Roman Catholic sense, neither have they been completely "cloistered" or cut off from society. Roman Catholic In Roman Catholicism a nun is an Enclosed female monastic, canon 667.3 CIC 1983—the male equivalent is " Monk ". In the Roman Catholic tradition, there are a number of different orders of nuns each with its own charism or special character. In general, when a person enters a convent she first undergoes an initial period of testing the life, known as postulancy, for a period of six months to a year. If she, and the order, determine that she may have a Vocation to the life, she receives the Habit of the order and undertakes novitiate, a period of living the life of a nun without yet taking vows that lasts one to two yearsc 648, CIC 1983. Upon completion of this period she may take her initial, temporary Vows c. 656 CIC 1983. Temporary vows last one to three years, typically, and will be professed for not less than three years and not more than six yearscanon 655 CIC 1983. Finally, she will petition to make her "perpetual profession", taking permanent, lifelong vowsc 657, CIC 1983. |
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