Spiritual developmentReligion

Schemists are ... The meaning of the word "schemer"

Everyone who has wished to devote his life to a monastic feat and to achieve heights in this business, it is necessary to go through three stages, of which the path to its top consists. The tripartite structure of the system of monasticism includes the riasofore, the mantle (or the small schema), and also the higher stage - the great schema. In order to understand the meaning of the word "devil" and understand the full meaning of the meaning, we consider all three steps leading to this angelic order.

Joining the monastic path

When the layman comes to the idea that his future life should pass through the walls of the monastery, he applies to the abbot of the monastery chosen by him, and if he does not see obstacles to it, he gives him a chance to test his willingness to renounce all worldly things for the sake of soul salvation And the attainment of eternal life. Future schemes are people, first of all possessing deep humility, therefore, regardless of their age and position in worldly life, they obediently bow their heads before the need to become pupils and younger brothers of other monks for the time being.

The test of firmness of intentions

In order for the newly converted monk to be able to fully verify the seriousness of his intentions and to prove his willingness to enter into a new life for himself, he is cut into a rassofor. This is the first, the initial stage of monasticism, which has not been overlooked by any glorified starets. The very word denoting it is translated from Greek as "wearing a robe". During the sacred rite, the newcomer is cut out with cross hair and reads special prayers, but he does not give any vows at the same time, and he does not change his name. From this day on, a newcomer gets the right to wear a robe and a kamilavka - a monastic headdress.

In his life, what begins in the world is called a probationary period. The only difference is that it can stretch out for many years, and its end is determined by the abbot himself. During this whole period, the rassophore monk, or, as it is customary to say, the novice, has the right to abandon the plan and return to worldly life. However, he will not suffer any church punishment, he will not be charged with penance.

The second step of the monastic path

The next stage, which must pass the future devotees, is the tonsure into the mantle, or, as it is called, the small schema. At the same time they give vows of obedience, nondegree and chastity. Thus, they promise the Lord to obey the will of their spiritual fathers unconditionally and fulfill any obedience imposed on them by the monastic superiors, not to have any personal property, and to be content only with that which belongs to the whole of the brethren, and finally to refuse marriage and intimate Life.

Their daily wardrobe from this day includes, in addition to the cassock, a long cape without sleeves - a mantle, which gave the name to this stage of monastic vows. In addition, their head is covered with a hood - a high headgear, on top of which is fastened a quadrangular board, called the paraman. The vestments are complemented with rosaries and custom-made sandals. Everyone who has been vowed to become a little schema, takes the path of strict asceticism.

It involves the rejection of all the usual earthly pleasures, designed to please the flesh, and concentrates all its efforts on continuous spiritual growth. Mutilation or even denial of the sensuous outer world for the sake of future eternal life is the basic principle of asceticism. Schemists are people who finally broke with their past and lacked the opportunity to return to their former lives, without suffering severe church punishment.

The peak of the monastic exploit

The highest level of monasticism is the great schema. It requires the most complete, uttermost renunciation of worldly life in the name of unity with God. During the ceremony of vows, the monk-devotees give again the same vows as before, but they have a more strict form. This, in turn, gives an additional impetus to their strict observance.

Everyone who is tonsured into the great schema gets a new name, due to which he increases the number of heavenly patrons who help bear all the hardships and strengthen on the way to salvation. It is no accident that the schema is called "the angelic image." The fact is that the very word is of Greek origin, but it means "kind" or "image". Proceeding from this, the schemes are carriers of the image of the angel, to whom they are likened to their service to God.

Peculiarities of the life of the High Masters

The life-style of those who adopted the great schema has its own special features. They live separately from the rest of the brethren, and their obedience is limited only to spirituality and the ministry of the liturgy, for the ascetic is a monk who has completely abandoned everyday earthly care. For example, if a bishop accepts a great schema, he resigns from the administration of the diocese, since this area of activity presupposes the solution not only of spiritual, but also economic issues. The same applies to hieromonks, that is, monks who have a priestly rank - they are also exempt from all other duties.

The monks who have attained the highest degree (the great masters) are easily recognized by their specific attire. It consists of a cassock, a special type of paramana, which is called analas, a chiton and a belt. His head is crowned with a doll - a pointed cap with a cross, and sandals and rosaries complement the dressing. All elements of vestments are black, suggestive of death and exodus from earthly life.

Monasticism is the true army of Christ

Originating in Egypt in the first centuries of Christianity, monasticism has found fertile soil on our land and has become an integral part of Russian Orthodoxy. But it is hardly possible to imagine it in isolation from the highest form, its crown - the great schema. What is meant by the ascetic who has reached this highest stage can be understood from the works of the holy fathers who saw in him the image of utter alienation from all earthly things, death for the perishable world and the beginning of eternal life.

One of the founders of monasticism - the Reverend Nil Sorsky - gave a very accurate description of all three of his steps. In his writings, he wrote that the first stage, the Rassophore, is like accepting a recruit in the army of Christ, where he must tirelessly comprehend the art of future victories. The mantle, in his words, is a performance on the battle campaign, and the great schema is nothing but a general battle given by the troops brought to full combat readiness.

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