Category: Hermit Life

Once upon a time an old hermit and his disciples were making their living tending a farm. They lived near a village that was situated on the border of another country.

One day, the discipline left the barn gate open and their only horses they needed for plowing ran off. All the villagers felt sorry for the disciple. But the old hermit spoke to his disciples, “Whether this event is good or bad, only God knows.”

A couple months later his horse came back with a group of good, noble healthy wild horses. All the villagers congratulated the disciple. But the old hermit spoke to him, “Whether this event is good or bad, only God knows.”

One day the disciple, who loved riding horses, tried riding one of the wild horses. But the horse threw him, and he fell and broke his leg. All the villagers felt sorry for him. But the old hermit spoke to him, “Whether this event is good or bad, only God knows.”

A month later the two countries went to war. The government issued a draft requiring all able bodied men to join the army. When they came to the hermit’s farm, they did not draft ever of them, for The hermit was too old and his disciple had a broken leg. All the villagers were amazed. Who could have foreseen these events?

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Adapted from a Chinese Parable

St. Romuald’s Brief Rule is a concise set of spiritual guidelines for hermits. It’s a guide for those seeking to grow spiritually while living in solitude. You might find it helpful.

The Brief Rule

• Sit in your cell as in paradise.
• Put the whole world behind you and forget it.
• Watch your thoughts like a good fisherman watching for fish.
• The path you must follow is in the Psalms — never leave it.
• If you have just come to the monastery, and in spite of your good will you cannot accomplish what you want, take every opportunity you can to sing the Psalms in your heart and to understand them with your mind. And if your mind wanders as you read, do not give up; hurry back and apply your mind to the words once more.
• Realize above all that you are in God’s presence, and stand there with the attitude of one who stands before the emperor.
• Empty yourself completely and sit waiting, content with the grace of God, like the chick who tastes nothing and eats nothing but what his mother brings him.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of light; true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by Whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from Heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He arose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke by the prophets.

In one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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Source: “The Creed: The Symbol of Faith,” Orthodox Church in America. 2024.
https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/prayers/symbol-of-faith

Note
This is the original Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed that was made by the first ecumenical council in Nicea (325) and the second ecumenical council in Constantinople (381). The form of this creed that the Roman Catholic Church adopted on the authority of the Pope (and not on the authority of an ecumenical council), had two additions: “God from God” (Deum de Deo) and “and the Son” (Filioque). This was in violation of the third ecumenical council, held at Ephesus in 431, which forbade setting up a different creed. The Eastern Orthodox argues that only an ecumenical council can change an ecumenical creed. The Roman Catholic Church counters that the Pope is the head of the Church and therefore has the power to do this. The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation, in 2003, declared that the question of the Filioque is no longer a “Church-dividing” issue, which would impede full reconciliation and full communion.

The one thing the genuine hermit abhors is attention.

As an anonymous Camaldolese hermit put it,

“Our solitary life is not only a renunciation of the artificiality of a mundane existence based on appearance and efficiency, but it hides us from the eyes and the acquaintance of others in such a way that we live truly concealed in complete anonymity.”

Celebrity Hermits

In some circles hermits are revered, which can easily become a stumbling block for them. It is hard to be a celebrity and be humble. And so genuine hermits prefer to be hidden. Thus they wear no special habit (a habit is special clothing worn by monks, nuns, and clergy).

Don’t Advertise

This is the reason why I don’t use my full name. I use my hermit name, brother Jay Paul, so as not to draw attention to myself in real life. I only share this as an example to other would be hermits. Don’t advertise. Be humble. Be hidden. Don’t draw attention to yourself.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

In my life, I never tell anyone I am a hermit. And nobody asks. If they don’t ask, I don’t tell. And I don’t do anything to draw attention to my hermit life. I just avoid people when possible, but I am friendly when I do interact. I am not antisocial, I am pro-solitude. There is a difference.

I don’t need recognition, so I don’t need authorization. God called me to be a hermit, that is good enough for me.

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Note: Camaldolese is a Roman Catholic religious order, based on the Rule of St. Benedict.

The three evangelical counsels are the traditional vows which all monastics make. They are chastity, poverty, and obedience. Let’s look at each, but from a non-Catholic viewpoint.

Chastity

The Oxford English Dictionary defines chastity as “the state or practice of refraining from extramarital, or especially from all, sexual intercourse.” This would include refraining from masturbation.

Poverty

Poverty is different from destitution. Poverty, rightly understood, means living minimalistic and simply. Not having more than you really need. As Paul and Karen Fredette write, “The hermit vows to live with only the barest necessities, witnessing to the joy of having little and desiring less.”

Obedience

Obedience is a little more tricky. For it usually means absolute obedient to a man, usually a bishop. With all the abuse scandals in the church, this is usually not wise. But here I take it to mean obedience to God and one’s Plan of Life.

So these are the three evangelical counsels. However, again departing from the Roman Catholic position, I do not make vows to follow them, but rather I make resolutions that I dedicate myself to following. For Jesus said, “But I say, do not make any vows! (Matt. 5:34 NLT).

Prayer of Dedication

When you are ready to make the commitment, pray the following with sincerity:

Dear heavenly Father, I dedicate my life to the Lord Jesus Christ through a life of chastity, poverty, and obedience. Lord God, give me the wisdom and strength to fulfill my resolution. In Jesus’ name. Amen.