A monk is a person who practices asceticism, the conditioning of mind and body in favor of the spirit. The concept is very ancient and can be seen in many religions.

The term monk comes from the Greek monachos (μοναχός), commonly translated as a solitary person. In the Greek language, the term can apply to men or women, but in English, it usually applies only to men, while nun is more commonly used to refer to female monastics. Other terms such as hesychast, solitary, hermit, anchorite, ascetic are usually interchangeable with monk. Although ascetics existed in various religions prior to Christianity, the term “monk” is of Christian invention.

History of Monasticism in Christianity

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