How could individuals directly participate in Christianity?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary. While many people were satisfied to participate as members of a congregation, others wanted a more direct form of participation, whether taking holy orders or becoming known as holy men/women. Two specific practices were monasticism and asceticism. In monasticism, individuals dedicated themselves to initially isolated spiritual contemplation living in huts or caves. Later, a communal form evolved where they would live in religious communities known as monasteries (or convents for women). A hierarchy developed and the head of a monastery was called an abbot (or, for women, abbotess). Some monasteries retained asceticism or a rigorous lifestyle. In either case, monasteries created a life that was separate from urban, secular living and devoted themselves to spiritual matters or charitable endeavors. Specifically, many were trying to distance themselves from the centralized church authority of Bishops, located in urban areas. Holy men or women, however, were not ordained individuals, but those who sought to endure hardships to attain holiness or closeness with God. Simeon Stylites, for example, was reported to have chained himself to the top of a pillar and remained exposed to the elements for 30 years. Because of their heightened spirituality, holy men and women were seen as impartial arbiters, judges, and advisors. Matrona of Constantinople, as a woman, was excluded from church participation, so she disguised herself as a man to live in a monastery. Later, she became an abbotess and spiritual advisor to the Emperor. Melania the Elder embarked on a pilgrimage after she was widowed, and dressed poorly to minister to the poor, and subsequently founded monasteries for men and women, as well as converted her granddaughter (Melania the Younger) to asceticism.