“A monk is he who forces himself” (Abba Dorotheus). Monks war with the world. Monks are never idle. Monks are always vigilant.. A monk’s life is always a struggle and laborious. A monk’s life is a re-creation of the life in the catacombs, evinced in the 2nd-3rd century and in present day Holy Russia. Monks must be vigilant, sober and never take themselves seriously. Monks are warriors who conduct war with the world, the flesh and the devil. Monks should never “relax” in the sense of leisure. Monks are always considerate of others. “All falls are preceded by pride” (St. Nilus of Sora). It is necessary for monks to read…