Degrees of Eastern Orthodox monasticism
So Eastern Orthodox monasticism means that there are people who want to spend their whole lives serving and worshiping God. And there are different ways that these people can do this, which are called degrees.
The first degree is called a novice. This is like when you are just learning how to do something new, like ride a bike. Novices are people who are just starting out in the monastic life, and they are learning all the basic rules and practices of the monastery.
The second degree is called a rassophore. This is like when you have learned how to ride the bike, and you are getting really good at it! Rassophores are people who have been in the monastery for a little while, and they are starting to take on more responsibility. They wear a special robe to show that they are at this level.
The third degree is called a stavrophore. This is like when you have become a really good bike rider, and you're ready for a bigger challenge. Stavrophores are people who have been in the monastery for a long time, and they have proven themselves to be very dedicated to God. They wear a cross around their neck to show that they are at this level.
The fourth and final degree is called a schema-monk or schema-nun. This is like when you have become a professional bike rider, and you can do really cool tricks and go really fast! Schema-monks and schema-nuns are people who have been in the monastery for many years, and they have dedicated themselves completely to God. They wear a special black robe with lots of crosses on it to show that they are at this level.
So basically, degrees of Eastern Orthodox monasticism are like levels that people reach as they spend more time in the monastery and become more dedicated to serving God. It's like going from learning to ride a bike to becoming a professional bike rider!
The first degree is called a novice. This is like when you are just learning how to do something new, like ride a bike. Novices are people who are just starting out in the monastic life, and they are learning all the basic rules and practices of the monastery.
The second degree is called a rassophore. This is like when you have learned how to ride the bike, and you are getting really good at it! Rassophores are people who have been in the monastery for a little while, and they are starting to take on more responsibility. They wear a special robe to show that they are at this level.
The third degree is called a stavrophore. This is like when you have become a really good bike rider, and you're ready for a bigger challenge. Stavrophores are people who have been in the monastery for a long time, and they have proven themselves to be very dedicated to God. They wear a cross around their neck to show that they are at this level.
The fourth and final degree is called a schema-monk or schema-nun. This is like when you have become a professional bike rider, and you can do really cool tricks and go really fast! Schema-monks and schema-nuns are people who have been in the monastery for many years, and they have dedicated themselves completely to God. They wear a special black robe with lots of crosses on it to show that they are at this level.
So basically, degrees of Eastern Orthodox monasticism are like levels that people reach as they spend more time in the monastery and become more dedicated to serving God. It's like going from learning to ride a bike to becoming a professional bike rider!