An anchorite is an individual who resides in an isolated area , dedicated to penance and meditation . A Greek word came to medieval Latin as anachoreta , which later led, in our language , to the aforementioned term. We can determine that this word is the result of the sum of several clearly defined components:
- The prefix ana- , which can be translated as “upwards” .
- The noun khoros , which is synonymous with “space” .
- The suffix -ta , which is used to indicate what an agent is.
Characteristics of an anchorite
An anchorite lives away from people, usually with few material belongings. In his retirement, this person dedicates himself to prayer and atonement , orienting himself to spirituality.
In ancient times, there were Catholic individuals who became anchorites to escape the harassment that was exerted on those who professed their faith. In this way they decided to distance themselves from society and turn to comply with the Christian precepts in the way they interpreted them.
These people strictly adhered to sexual abstinence , dedicated themselves to working in manual activities and established their own penances . In the same way, they developed a life where silence took center stage.
a lifestyle
Thus anchorites began to be associated with a lifestyle. The anchorites decided to separate themselves from the community to detach themselves from human creations , purifying their hearts and souls to get closer to God . In the process they also focused on the contemplation of divine work.
Several anchorites began to have followers : people who also moved away from the towns to settle near them. As a consequence, small isolated groups emerged, which only came to the cities to attend church or carry out works of charity.
Examples of anchorites
Throughout history there have been many anchorites who have generated expectation and followers. Among the most significant are from Saint Paul , who is considered to be the first anchorite, to Saint Anthony Abbot , Pachomius and Charles de Foucauld . The latter was a contemplative mystic who became a reference for what, over time, has come to be called desert spirituality . And, after serving as a soldier and explorer, he left everything to take up the priesthood and develop it in the Sahara desert .
There is not much knowledge of female anchorites, although there are some. A good example of this is Mary of Egypt , who retired to the desert after a life marked by prostitution, and Syncletica of Alexandria .
Hermits and monasteries
It should be noted that the idea of anchorite is associated with the concept of hermit and the development of monasteries .
The disciples of these solitary individuals caused the hermitages to become monasteries, giving rise to religious orders that lived in cloister but in community .