Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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IDIORRHYTHMIC

Descriptive of a form of monastic life in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. Idiorrhythmic monasteries date from the fifteenth century, and each is directed by two annually changed trustees. A spiritual father (pneumatikos) has charge of the interior life of the monks, and they meet for the Divine Office and for meals on feast days. But otherwise they live on their own, either alone or in a small group, and are therefore not a coenobium or monastic community.