CENOBITIC MONASTICISM

form of monasticism based on life in common (Greek koinobion), characterized by strict discipline, regular worship, and manual work. St. Pachomius was the author of the first cenobitic rule, which was later developed by St. Basil the Great (c. 329379). Cenobitic monasticism was introduced in the West by St. Benedict of Nursia and became the norm of the Benedictine order. In the East its major centres were the monastery of Stoudios in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Tur.) and several monastic communities on Mount Athos, in Greece. Compare idiorrhythmic monasticism.