"The whole monastic life consists of three specific kinds of establishment: either the retirement and solitude of a spiritual athlete, or living in silence with one or two others, or settling patiently in a community. Turn not to the right or to the left, but follow the King's highway. Of the three ways of life stated above, the second is suitable for many people, for it is said: 'Woe unto him when he falleth' into despondency or lethargy or laziness or despair, 'and hath not another among them to lift him up' (Eccl. 4:10). 'For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the midst of them,' said the Lord (Mt. 18:20)."
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Johannes Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, as translated by Archimandrite Lazarus Moore (Holy Transfiguration Monastery: 1959), p. 13
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Sarabaites
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Sarabaites
Sarabaites were Christian monks who dwelt in their own homes. This phenomenon was widespread before the time of Benedict of Nursia.
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