[GenManagerS]

i was just reading through some of the old posts and found this comment by Seraphim quite interesting:

The main raison d'etre of Christian monasticism is Worship which leads to theosis of which Antonios speaks and this is most ideally expressed with others. The ideal monastery usually turns out to be the one we would not have chosen if we knew beforehand what is involved in the day to day life.

i have visited a number of monasteries on Mt Athos and this is one recurring thought that i have that keeps me from attempting a prolonged stay as a novice (even though i have been welcomed to by one or two in particular as the Abbott's felt that i indeed have what they deemed was a "calling" for this vocation). after observing their day to day ritual, i noticed that most of it is around tasks, prayer and service attendance. there is little to no time left over for in depth study. i explained that this created an obstacle for me as i am the kind of person whom likes to know my field inside out, both from a theory and practise perspective. i was told that this was simply a "logismo" that was trying to hinder me in making an attempt at becoming a monk. i felt that it would be better for me to complete a degree in Theology in Greece and then return with a mind full of knowledge. funilly, after having dwelt in the world for a number of years since, i have yet to enrol to do such a degree. yet my desire to become a monk is as strong as ever. the post by Seraphim illustrates maybe what the Abbott's where trying to tell me in the first place. essentially you do not enter a monastery to do your will, for that defeats the purpose. in actuall fact this desire for scholastic Theological knowledge may the obstacle that is keeping me from making the decision to attempt a novitiate.