Overview of Eastern and Western Form
The monastics of the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America are -- to put it very bluntly -- a mixed bag of ragamuffin monastics who follow one of two forms. Either they follow the Western form (much like that of the Roman Catholic Church) or they follow the Eastern form (much like that of the Eastern Orthodox Church). Each monastic makes his/her choice of which spiritual pathway to follow.
So what are the basic differences between the Western form and the Eastern form you might ask? Firstly, when you look at a monastic wearing a habit, you will see the difference very quickly. Their habits (manner of dress) are very different depending on the form they have selected.
The Western form basically follows a set written Monastic Order's Daily Rule (such as the Rule of St. Benedict, St. Francis, St. Augustine, etc.). The habit is of the "monastic order" that the monastic has selected as their Daily Rule. The Western form monastics habits can be of various "styles and colors".
The Eastern form basically does not have a set written Daily Rule. Rather, it uses the Philokalia, writings of the Holy Fathers, writings/sayings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, the Bible, and the guidance of an Elder as their Rule. The monastic habits are of either of the Greek or Slavic style (which really look very much alike) and are always black. The only variations frequently seen is the head covering which can be with the veil or without a veil and also a "stole" that can be worn by the Stavrophor and the Great Schema monks.
Western Professed Monastic Formation
Basically there are 4 "ranks" within the Western monastic form -- Postulant, Novitiate, Annual Profession of Vows, and Perpetual Vows. Each of the first three ranks has a "timetable" and "training/learning required" set for moving forward to the next level. You are not required to move forward in rank until you are really ready spiritually to do so. This is different than in most Western Monastic Orders/Communities.
Most Western monastic forms provide for some sort of a monastic habit of the order/community, religious name and title once one reaches their second rank (Novitiate). It is also at this time that the monastic is allowed to carry the initials of their order/community they follow after their last name.
Eastern Professed Monastic Formation
Basically there are 3 "ranks" within the Eastern monastic form - Riasaphor, Stavrophor, and Great Schema (Angelic Schema). But within the Eastern monastic form, there is not a "timetable" or even "training/learning" set for moving up the ranks. Actually, that happens only when the monastic asks it of their elder and if the elder believes the monastic is ready for the spiritual responsibilities of the new "rank". Most monastics live their entire lives as Riasaphor monastics, while there are some who are called to become Stavrophor. A Great Schema monastic is a rarity.
Within the Eastern monastic form, the habit is given immediately upon profession to the Riasaphor rank. Also, the title of monk/nun (brother/sister) is given to laity and hierodeacon (deacon) or hieromonk/hieronun (father/mother) is given to clergy. Hiero actually tells people that the person is clergy. A religious name is given at the time of receiving the habit. Also, in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the monastics will never cut their hair/beard. This is not the case though within the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America since most of the monastics do not live within the monastery but out in the world thus have to follow whatever requirements are set by the company one is working for. You can elect to grow your hair/beard or not.
To gain an understanding of the spirituality "required" to reach each rank, please read the web pages on each of the ranks. You will find lots of information located there.
One thing to know is that the word monk is actually gender neutral in Greek. That is why you will see some of the women using the term monk in their titles. They are holding to the ancient practice of neutrality in titles. Per our Metropolitan, it is up to each of the women to decide whether they will use the term monk or nun. This is a small difference from the Eastern Orthodox Church. Eastern Orthodox Church monastic titles can really be confusing at first. Within the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America we have taken the step to simplify it. See the section "Titles of Monastics" for more information.
Comparison of Professed "Ranks"
| Western Form Ranks | Eastern Form Ranks |
| Postulant and Novitiate | Riasaphor |
| Annual Profession of Vows Perpetual Vows |
Stavrophor |
| Great Schema |
Titles of Monastics
Please note that the titles used by our monastics may not agree with either the Western or Eastern Orthodox Church completely. We of the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America are trying to make things as easy as possible when it comes to terminology but still maintain much of the ancient terms where appropriate. The Eastern Orthodox Church monastics call the Stavrophor nuns "mother" which is not a clergy title since they do not ordain women to the priesthood. Also, the Eastern Orthodox Church monastics call the Stavrophor monks "father". So, to "get around that problem" of words/titles, we have elected not to have different terms depending on the monastic "rank".
When talking with or writing to a monastic, the basic titles to use within the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America will be:
- Non Clergy -- Brother/Sister
- Clergy -- Deacon, Father/Mother, Vicar (Archimandrite/Archpriest), Bishop, Metropolitan.
It will be up to each Eastern form monastic to decide if they want to use the "Eastern Orthodox Church monastic titles" within their signatures.
Monastic Habits
Those who are following the Western form will wear the correct monastic habit of the order/community they are following with their Daily Rule. Such as Franciscan, Carmelite, Benedictine, Augustinian, etc.
For those who are following the Eastern form, the basic Eastern Orthodox Church monastic habit are worn with a little "tweaking" for our purpose. The information can be found on the web pages dealing with the different "ranks".
It is also up to each monastic to decide if they want to wear a habit or not. It can be expensive to get all the necessary parts of a habit especially if you are not going to wear it every day. Remember, it is not the habit that makes the monastic. The habit should be the outward expression of your inward spirituality.
Conclusion
The Orthodox-Catholic Church of America is a jurisdiction that is Orthodox in theology but western in perspective. Therefore, monasticism needs to be free to include either the Western form or the Eastern form depending on the needs/desires of the individual who is the monastic. All that is asked is that there not be a mixing of the Western and Eastern habits. Choose what it is you want to follow and follow it correctly as per the guidelines now set forth for all monastics within the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America. Also, the titles/ranks are now basically set in writing for us to follow. Yes, we are a group of ragamuffins, but we do not need to look that way when it comes to our monastic habits or our titles we use. We have elected not to reinvent the "wheel" but to make the "wheel" function within our jurisdiction where we could with just some "minor adjustments".
Presently we have one monastic that is member of ecumenical religious order. If you have a desire to be a part of an ecumenical religious order, please talk with the Metropolitan before joining them. It can be a conflict if not handled correctly.
