Draft:Schema (monasticism)
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Schema (from ancient Greek σχῆμα — image) — a solemn oath (vow) of Orthodox monks to observe particularly strict ascetic rules of conduct, the highest degree of monasticism, replacing the ancient anchorite.
Schema is also called monastic vestments, a set of monk's clothes. There are several preparatory degrees of Orthodox monasticism, but the Lesser Schema (or mantle) and the Great Schema refer to tonsure into the schema. If they talk about the schema without specifying, then they mean the Great Schema. Initially, it meant monastic attire. Schema monks in early Christianity (3rd-5th centuries AD) mostly went to the Egyptian deserts. Some of them, such as St. Pachomius the Great, later founded or joined existing monasteries. A monk, a nun, those who have taken the schema, those who have taken the schema — Schemanik (m.) Schemanitsa (f.) Schemamonk, Schema-nun. In the Smolensk and Vladimir regions he was called Oskitnik. A schemamonk wearing a sign, a symbol, initiation into the schema — Banner-bearer.