Question and Answer – The Spirituality of Monks and Laypeople
Question:
Is everything that God requires from the monastic fathers more than what He requires from the laypeople in prayers, fasting, asceticism, and other things?
Answer:
Yes, monks are required to do more, because they are in a state of complete dedication to the Lord, unlike laypeople who have concerns that hinder them.
Nevertheless, all are required to pursue holiness and perfection…
The Lord Jesus said, “Be perfect, just as your Father who is in heaven is perfect,” and “Be holy, for your Father who is in heaven is holy.” This commandment is for all, and it was said before monasticism came into being.
However, the degrees of perfection and holiness differ from one person to another.
As for prayers, the seven prayers are required of every believer, and the prophet David used to pray them, though he had many wives; yet he said, “Seven times a day I praise You because of Your righteous judgments.” Likewise, the night prayers are for all, and the prophet David prayed them.
As for monks, their work is unceasing prayers that do not stop.
This is something that laypeople cannot do due to the necessity of being occupied with work, family, activity, and service. Nevertheless, the commandment “Pray always and do not lose heart” (Luke 18:1) and the commandment “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) were given to all people before monasticism…
Thus, every person should persevere in prayer according to his ability…
As for fasting, all the fasts of the Church are required of all believers, except the sick, children, infants, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and the elderly.
But monks have their own order in the degrees of abstinence, some of which reach the point of passing whole days without food, and they abstain from desirable foods. There are also monasteries that do not eat meat at all…
Likewise, the asceticism of monks in clothing differs from the asceticism of laypeople, who live in a society that has special requirements…
An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – in El-Keraza Magazine – Year Eight (Issue Fifty-Two) 30-12-1977
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