Easter and monasticism

The article is devoted to the analysis of the connection between the phenomena of monasticism and Easter in the Church-historical perspective. The novelty of the research lies in revealing in the light of the meaning and significance of Easter the essence of monastic vows of obedience, chastity and non-possessiveness as a ‘scheme’ of the movement through the cross and resurrection to Christ, leading to the achievement of inner freedom and approximation to the mode of hypostatic existence. Monasticism is seen as a lifelong movement towards renewal through imitation of Christ and the Persons of the Holy Trinity. Perfect images of obedience are the intra-Trinitarian relationship and obedience of Christ to God the Father. Non-possessiveness is viewed through the prism of the Trinitarian relationship, in which the Father gives His Divinity to the Son and the Spirit. The Other Two Persons have the same way of being. Chastity is understood as the ability to think integrally and perceive Divine Providence. The connection between the cross and the resurrection, the painful labor of repentance and joyful renewal as essential components of a monk’s life are considered in the article. Every monk and Christian are called to achieve in his life the personal Easter by serving the world with prayer, word and deed.