Asceticism

(Greek askesis 'training') Way of life designed to subdue vice and encourage virtue. In Christian thought involves commitment to self-denial in order to follow Christ (Mark. 8: 34). Important in…

(Greek askesis ‘training’) Way of life designed to subdue vice and encourage virtue. In ChristianChristian Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church to designate all members of the church. thought involves commitment to self-denial in order to follow Christ (Mark. 8: 34). Important in both monasticismMonasticism The monastic movement began in Egypt towards the end of the third century and developed in the West in the fourth century. The first monks (monos, alone), lived a solitary life but communities soon emerged, developing traditions and patterns of worship. Monks took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Communal life was built around prayer, the opus dei or work of God. and mysticismMysticism Intensely personal experience of encounter with God, achieved through the practice of contemplation and self-denial as a means to free the soul to love and experience God more fully.