Guidance for a First Visit to an Orthodox Monastery

The text opens by defining an Orthodox monastery as a place of prayer, repentance, worship, and silence. It then gives a series of instructions for a first visit. Visitors should enter with reverence. They should dress modestly. They should follow the customs of the monastery and the guidance of the monastics.

During services, they should observe quietly. They should allow the rhythm of monastic life to lead them. The text then explains the purpose of a pilgrimage. It gives the opportunity to leave worldly distractions behind. It allows one to turn the heart toward God. The entire text is repeated in Greek. The post is identified as an original production of Prayer Orthodoxy.