Idiorrhythmic monasticism is a form of monastic life inChristianity.[1]
It was the original form of monastic life in Christianity, as exemplified bySt.Anthony of Egypt (c. 250–355) and is the opposite ofcenobitic monasticism in that instead of communal ownership, themonk lives alone, often in isolation.Philosophically it consisted of ahermit's total withdrawal from society, usually in the desert, and the constant practice of mental prayer.[2] The wordidiorrhythmic comes from twoGreek words,idios for "particular" andrhythmos for "rule", so the word can be translated as meaning "following one's own devices".[3]
It was first developed by St.Anthony of Egypt (c. 250–355) and is practised inOrthodox Christianity.
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