Monks+and+There+Degrees+(Orthodox)

__**Monks and There Degrees (Orthodox)**__

There are four main degrees in which a monk can progress though. The process is usually slow and monks are known are to take various amounts of vows. The first degree being is a Novice (often refereed to brothers) and this level of a monk is for those who wish to join the monastery After staying for more then up to three days a abbot or abbess blesses the one willing to become a abbot. At his time if a monk wishes to leave they receive no repercussions for doing so. The next level is a Rassophore and at this level he receives a black robe and a leather belt to wear around his waist. To welcome the Rassophore to the there new monastic life, a service is performed. The abbot cuts a small portion of hair from the Rassophore and the cut should be the shape of the cross. Although the Rassophore does not make formal vows, hes still not allowed to leave the monastic estate for the rest of their life. The next level for the monk is the level called Schema or Stavrophore, which is obtained years after being a Schema. This level is reached when the abbot feels that the candidate reached a level of dedication and discipline. At this point of the monks life, the monk can now make formal vows of stability of place, chastity, poverty and obedience. The monk is given a wooden cross, a candle which are both held and burned when buried and a symbol to represent that he has given himself to God. The last level of a monk is a great schema, which is obtained when the Abbot fees they reached a high level of spirituality. In most traditions this title is given to most monks while they are about to die and when they have 25 years of service. He makes the vows the same vows as when he was a Schema and in addition are given more garments to wear. Some being the traditional shoulder throw over, a rob that has large cross the covers the shoulders, chest and back of the monk. The last garment revived is a chain with made out of crosses to signify that the monk is bound to Christ. In conclusion those are the four different degrees a monk can obtain through out its life.

**__Citation MLA Format__**

1) Wikipedia contributors. "Degrees of Eastern Orthodox monasticism." //Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia//. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 24 Dec. 2010. Web. 7 Jan. 2011.

2) Wikipedia contributors. "Monk." //Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia//. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 6 Jan. 2011. Web. 7 Jan. 2011.

 __**Novice**__ http://www.gocamerica.org/ImageFiles/Photos/Congo-2006-10/picture-29.jpg

 __**Rassophore**__ http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YKNdO92jEYE/TJiyEqC45BI/AAAAAAAAAnc/TSTLQ0zBOyI/s1600/elder_sampson.jpg

__**Stavrophore**__ http://img.forministry.com/F/FF/FF257991-E7C9-4475-B65F8B014549D950/C87BAEA6-FEB6-4FEF-870F3096E31CF4EC.jpg __**Great Schema**__ http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NfsdvUxYGkI/SjKZa1CKbSI/AAAAAAAAMmk/vAOJPKXLmv8/s400/gerontissa.jpg