What is a cell? The main purpose

The word "cell" somehow by itself evokes the images of monks, icons and monasteries. The way of life of people who have renounced worldly cares is not always clear to the man in the street. However, being misunderstood does not mean being uninteresting. Rather, on the contrary, most people are curious to know how people who devote their lives to God live, what they eat and even watch TV. We will try to penetrate the monk's dwelling, look at his way of life and understand what a cell is.

Etymology of the word

The word "cell" is borrowed from the Greek (κελλίον) and Latin (cella), later found use in the Old Slavonic, literally means "room". In English, you can also find a consonant cell, which means "camera (in prison), cell." Numerous dictionaries are basically the same interpretation of what a cell is. Definition of this word: a separate room or room where a monk or nun dwells. Here, members of the monastic community spend a significant part of their lives sleeping and praying. In figurative meaning it is a secluded little modest room of a lonely person.

How does the cell look like?

Not everyone represents what a cell is. In the classical sense, this is a separate room in the residential part of the monastery. However, not always there can live one person. At the same time, the cell can become a haven for several monks. Sometimes it can even be a separate small house. In Russian monasteries, every monk or nun was allowed to build his own cell, so that members of the community from wealthy families could find themselves in the use of a spacious and quite comfortable room. But for individual examples to judge what a cell, still will not. In the vast majority of this modest housing, where there is only the most necessary, no frills. Stay here should bring spiritual benefit to the inhabitant.

Assignment of a cell

The statutes of many monasteries may include a special provision "On a private stay". First of all, this is the place of prayer, reading spiritual and highly moral literature, writing out books and thinking over wise instructive thoughts. There is a list of recommended ascetic writings for reading. In their room, monks obedience perform tasks assigned to them by the abbot or the authorities. Also the understanding of what a cell is, will not be complete if we do not mention one important point. Visitors to the monastery monastery are allowed only with the blessing of the higher authorities, and the presence of women in the cells of the monasteries, and the male, respectively, in women's bans.