On 'Wayward Nuns': The Paradox of Monastic Totality

Abstract

The article discusses contemporary Orthodox monasteries in Russia, with a particular focus on the opposition of 'world' and 'monastery', and the dichotomy between external and internal order. The paper is based on open-access data, as well as field materials of participant observation and interviews taken in monasteries from 2012 to 2016. It can be concluded that, despite the 'world-monastery' dichotomy, contemporary Russian monasteries are not examples of 'retreating from the world', as Erving Goffman argued, but rather retreats for the world. The dichotomy between 'world' and 'monastery' is supported by the spatial structure of monasteries and their rules. The order of monastic life is regulated by external and internal mechanisms. External instruments include church documents, which the nuns are usually not familiar with; and rules of behavior, which are generally internalized during the process of monastery socialization. For nuns, knowing the rules does not necessarily mean being familiar with the text, but rather it implies successful internalization of community rules. Moreover, externally, monastic life is regulated by a special regime which may differ in different monasteries but serves the same purpose: to create conditions for an inner life irrespective of external monotony. External mechanisms for maintaining order are necessary, but not sufficient: order depends on the 'inner work' of people themselves, their self-discipline and realization of their freedom. Aside from the division between 'world' and 'monastery', the article reveals one more important dichotomy of monastic life which is 'external' and 'internal', where external is understood as constraints, specific conditions, and rules which are employed as a resource for inner freedom.