salt to society

27. In the deserts of the old world, the first monks and nuns carried on the prophetic ministry of Israel in a renewed vigor. Thus, their lives bore witness to the essential Christian message before a civil and ecclesiastical world that often suffered from secularization, political intrigue, expediency, and a generally exaggerated and inhuman structuralism. They were thereby reminders to all that the Gospel was a way of life to be sought by all through the repentance that leads to the coming universal salvation.

28. Thus, monasticism must strive to keep this goal in mind, for it must be the salt of society; and for this reason if for no other, the monastery must be accessible to all, so that they may savor its life, its worship, and its message.

29. The fourth ecumenical Council of Chalcedon established canons for the inter-relationship of the monastery and the rest of the Church: nd the rest of the Church.

a. Though he may not interfere in the internal affairs of the monastery, the hierarch has the right to visitation, to impart the customary blessings when called for, and to ordain monks presented to him for orders. He should see to it that the integrity, purpose, and goal of the monastic life is preserved free of interference for the best interest the monks and nuns as well as the clergy and laity of the diocese in particular and the Church in general.

Monastic Typikon of the New Skete