Życie codzienne mnicha cenobity w Egipcie na podstawie „Reguły” św. Pachomiusza

Abstract

The article presents the everyday life of a cenobite monk beginning with a description of the ancient monastery itself and the buildings within it, such as the living quarters called “houses”. In the monastery, there were also everyday rooms such as “the chamber of the sick” and “the place of prayer” where monks prayed and weaved baskets. Pachomius also included buildings such as workshops, store-rooms and many kinds of storehouses. In the second part of the article, the author discusses the various roles that monks could take in the monastery. For example, the superior of the monastery possessed almost absolute authority, followed by his “second,” who was his substitute. Each house individually had its own superior and his “second.” In Pachomius’ monastery, one could find a minister who was responsible for work-related issues, as well as a gate keeper and workers such as gardeners, cooks, bakers and raftsmen. The final part of the article addresses the prayer life of the monastery, e.g. the nature and timing of prayers, as well as the work performed by monks outside of the monastery in the fields. Monks’ free time consisted of sleeping and meals. Since Pachomius was a soldier, he put into his “Rule” many precepts about discipline and obedience to superiors, which benefitted his monks as well as later monastic life.