LIFE IN A WOMEN'S MONASTERY: HISTORY AND REALITY

Song Chunzhu

The article presents historical information about life in a women's monastery in the 20th and 21st centuries. The relevance of the study is due to the insufficient study of the aspects and activities of women's monasteries in the 19th and 20th centuries, since the nuns did not leave a large literary heritage during this period. Objective: to analyze the literary heritage of nuns of the 20th century and to summarize the history and modern period of life in a women's monastery. Objectives: 1) to substantiate the relevance of the topic under study; 2) to analyze historical materials, descriptions of biographical information of nuns and literary historians for the possibility of describing life in a women's monastery, observance of the Charter, customary rules; 3) to highlight the common and distinctive features of life in a women's monastery in the 20th and 21st centuries. Hypothesis: in our work, we assumed that life in a women's monastery is distinguished by constancy, customs and the need to comply with the Charter. Methods: descriptive, comparative and analytical methods were used. Results: identification of the features of living in a women's monastery. The author comes to the conclusion that Orthodox women's monasteries in the 20th century and now transmit the Orthodox worldview, instill spiritual and moral values in all parishioners, observe centuries-old Statutes and traditions. In an earlier period, monasteries flourished, had a school and a hospital at the temple, now monasteries help those in need. They have ceased to be a shelter for orphans, since there are specialized institutions. Modern monasteries are focused on the younger generation, work is carried out with women and children from different social strata.

Keywords:women's monastery, charter, women, Orthodoxy, monasticism.