On the day of commemoration of the Venerable Theodosius of Pechersk, the founder of monastic order and monasticism in Kievan Rus, we offer to your attention excerpts from the book by Hegumen Mark (Lozinsky) on the writings and letters of Saint Ignatius (Bryanchaninov), explaining the connection between the general state of Christianity and monasticism in particular.

Considering monasticism to be divinely instituted and likening it to a feat of martyrdom, Bishop Ignatius never separates it from divinely instituted Christianity.

‘Monasticism,‘ according to Bishop Ignatius’ just conclusion, ‘is based on Christianity, rests on it and is established by it… It is a special form of it (Christianity), a special manifestation of it.

If Christianity succeeds in the world, then monastic life flourishes; if Christianity weakens in the world, monastic life declines. The decline of the morality of monks is closely dependent on the morality of the laity. According to Bishop Ignatius’ observations, there has always been the closest connection between Christians living in the world and Christian monks living in monasteries.