The Shepherd, January 2009
POINTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE
“A FRIEND of mine asked me and I didn’t know what to say… ‘When we see that in a monastery we are not wanted, even us visitors - they don’t speak to us when we have a question, what shall we do? Is that possible, - Christians not to have love in their hearts for other Christians?’ and ‘Is that normal and kind to have the Liturgy and not to open the main door of the monastery, and not accept Christians inside but only some “friends” from another door, …’” A.G., Greece, by email. [We have slightly corrected the English and spelling - ed.]
I AM NOT QUITE SURE how to answer your friend’s question as I am not quite sure of the circumstances. I can only give some very general guidelines. A monastery is a place set apart, so that the monks or nuns have a space and time to find quiet and to pray. So, in most monasteries, they will restrict access either to certain parts of the monastery or to certain times, or both. This is not a sign of lack of love. The monastics are praying for those outside.
It seems from what you write that in the case in question certain people are invited inside and others are not, and this to the services themselves. Again I do not know the circumstances, but this does seem a little unusual. But do not be too hasty to judge. There may be reasons for it. Maybe those your friend saw being let in had some special purpose or a prior appointment.
Usually if anyone is allowed into the monastery for the Liturgy, then all Orthodox Christians would be allowed in, unless of course they have been specifically prohibited because they have caused some offence, and have been specifically forbidden for the peace of the monastery. Similarly, if anyone is invited in to share the meal, then all are invited. One cannot have grades of parishioners or worshippers! The holy Apostle James, the Brother of God, warns about such “respect of persons” in his Epistle in the Bible (James 2:1-9). You will be able to read it in the original Greek. He speaks of accepting persons and rejecting others because of their wealth or position, but it would be equally wrong to do so simply on personal like or dislike.
Of course, some monasteries might live such an enclosed life that they do not permit the public to attend their services, and that too must be respected. In Greece, you are blessed to have many churches and many monasteries, and so such a choice is understandable, and a Christian showing love to the monastics in such a case would respect their choice. Here in the West, we have few Orthodox churches and even fewer monastic houses, and so usually the monasteries welcome all who come in good faith to join them in worship.
Lastly, and most importantly, you should, of course, ask the fathers / mothers at the monastery where you have seen this treatment. As I said at the beginning, I do not know all the circumstances; I do not know the monastery; I do not know the local practices of churches and monasteries in Greece (I have only been there twice), and I cannot answer for anyone but our own very small community here in Brookwood. Also be very careful not to spread rumours or stories about the behaviour of these monastics, even if you believe that in this respect they are mistaken or doing wrong. Maybe in your eyes they are condemned, but in God’s they may not be. Also, although they may actually be sinning in this regard, maybe their virtue in other respects far outstrips yours or mine. In fact, it would not take much effort on their part to outstrip my virtue!
P.S. One point I neglected in my reply, is that, of course, in many monasteries, if the community is one of men they do not allow women to enter, and if the community is one of women, then they do not allow men to enter. This is perfectly normal practice and understandable.
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