Even if you come to the monastery on an excursion and do not adhere to the Christian faith, you should behave in a certain way on the territory of the monastery. This is just the case when the proverb “They don’t go to a strange monastery with their own charter” has not a figurative, but a direct meaning.
Instructions
Step 1
A monastery, first of all, is a place where monks live, people who have retired from the world in order to indulge in prayers and reflections. The time of visiting the monastery must correspond to the internal regulations of the monastery. Do not hope that its doors are always open for you, it is better to find out at what hours and on what days the monastery is open to the public. If you want to go to the service to pray with the brethren, ask in advance.
Step 2
Dress modestly. This is not a theater, a beach or a disco. You may simply be asked to leave the territory of the monastery if you are wearing a tight top, a T-shirt, a blouse with a deep neckline, a short skirt, shorts, and slippers. In many monasteries, women are allowed only with their heads covered, that is, wearing a headscarf. There are cloisters where a girl in trousers will be denied entry. You should not come to the monastery wearing a T-shirt with a funny print, ambiguous or even offensive statements.
Step 3
Loud sounds are not welcome on the territory of the monastery. Prayer is the same meditation, no one will like it if it is interrupted by the annoying trill of a mobile phone or loud conversations. Turn off your pipes, have a preliminary conversation with the children, try to speak in an undertone yourself.
Step 4
The territory of the monastery is not a public park. They do not eat, roller-skate or bike, run or walk on the grass, much less pick flowers. They don't come here with animals. They don't chew gum, don't drink carbonated drinks, just water if you're hot. There is no question of "having a snack" in the monastery garden or near the fence.
Step 5
Do not confuse monks with tour guides. The monks have their own daily activities, "obediences", and they should not at all satisfy the curiosity of visitors either on secular or spiritual matters. You can greet a member of the community and ask for help if you get lost or do not know who to contact, but do not engage in conversation.
