Greek: monos, alone Denotes the mode of life, characterized by
self-denial and asceticism, which is followed by religious
living secluded from the world, according to a fixed rule and
under religious vows, in order to perfect themselves in the love
of God. It is here considered independently of the religious
orders such as friars, canons regular, clerks regular, and
recent congregations, which differ from the monastic orders
properly so called in that the former follow some particular
work, e.g., preaching, teaching, etc., while the life of the
monk is lived primarily for its own sake, and its effect on the
subject, though indirectly for the good of others also. The two
principal forms of monasticism are the eremitical or solitary,
and the cenobitical or family type Eremitical monasticism
traditionally dates from 305, when Saint Anthony the Abbot,
after twenty years seclusion, was sought as spiritual guide by
numerous hermits who had gathered around him in northern Egypt.
The solitary or Antonian type of mona