Ever wonder why and how monastics receive a new name? What are the criteria for choosing names given to monks and priests? Can they influence the choice of their future names in one way or another?
During this Great Lent many monastic novices became nuns, they took the monastic vows. It happened on April 15th. Several sisters took the Rassaphore and Stavrophore vows in our Convent. They were tonsured by the Most Reverend Veniamin, Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl. The good tradition to perform tonsures during the Lenten season is not accidental: it’s the time when all services and prayers are designed to help us reconsider and improve our fallen way of living. We have heard the Gospel readings during the weeks before the Lent. The examples described in the Gospel are very edifying for everyone, especially monastics. They keep us from vices and set an example to follow. Like Zacchaeus who did his best to see God, you should follow his example by seeking God restlessly.
Appearance of the 