Question: I’ve been an Orthodox Christian for not long. I’ve been interested in living in a monastery for a couple months to learn, get closer to God and how to be obedient, fasting, and much more. I’m currently speaking to my priest and we are both praying that I can soon. Do you recommend me to visit more monasteries? I’m not sure how to approach this, I have been praying on it. How do I know my prayer is answered by God ? Should I go out of the country to different monasteries?
The answer of Fr. Andrew Lemeshonok to the question:
"Seek, and you will find." Now, I imagine you are asking yourself what you should do with your life from here. You have come to God. And there are two paths before you: family life or the monastic way. Either way, to spend some time in a monastery, to work there, and to see monastic life from the inside - because the atmosphere there is quite different from life in the world - will, I think, help you greatly whatever you eventually choose. If you can, visit more than one community. See how people live in one and how they live in another, this will be a very good experience for the years ahead, however things may turn out. Whether you become a nun or a wife and mother, that first-hand experience will stand you in good stead. Preparing for whatever your future holds and taking time with your decision is always wise.
