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He came across Gisbert Lippelt, a former ship captain who lives by himself in a cave. He started the project, “Into the Silence,” while photographing a book on the Aeolian Islands, near Sicily. But all live a life of intentional simplicity and isolation. Then, there are those who just don’t like being among other people in modern society. Others are spiritually inclined, but not religious in the classical sense. Some have had religious visions and pursue study or prayer. Bevilacqua’s subjects live by themselves, separate from others, by choice. But it did make him more conscious of the choices he makes, and more aware of his real material needs. “Five years of photographing individuals who live in self-imposed isolation from society did not make Carlo Bevilacqua want to become a hermit himself. See further James Estrin “Hermits of the Third Millennium” “New York Times” : This is the portrait of a small, solitary, soft world.”īevilacqua’s extarordinary images of Hermits, Christian and non-Christian, religious and secular, are magnificent and inspiring. Following their own personal path made of prayer, silence and meditation, they decided to live in isolated places to listen to and rediscover their own inner rhythm and individual atmosphere. Most of them come from a religious background – monks, priests, nuns – but many others are part of a well established middle class – architects, doctors, lawyers, writers and teachers – fed up with the social routine.
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Modern hermits don’t indulge in the search for isolation for social or personal ambitions, neither it’s a matter of misanthropy. Hermitage might seem a paradox in our self-celebrating society but it is a growing and fascinating phenomenon, instead. “A new utopia? A distant reality? Forget it. This is not followed now, but it is most encouragable if we return again to this tradition.ģ – Singing praises and hymns He has a duty to learn the church’s praises and hymns, and recite them in the Holy Liturgy.Ĥ – Preaching and teaching As mentioned in ordaining the Anaghnostos: “Show your face O Lord, on your servant standing before you, to teach your Holy sayings, and preach your Holy Sayings, and preach your commandments to your people, and teach them your pure words, through which comes salvation of their souls and their redemption.” In the commandment it is said to him, “You should learn the books of the Holy Bible, one by one, so that you may be able to teach the congregation:, but he practices teaching and preaching after having permission from the Bishop or the priest.“Into the Silence – Hermits of the New Millenium” is a wonderful website by Carlo Bevilacqua, photographer and documentary filmaker: He should read correctly without mistakes, so that the congregation might understand.Īfter reading the Epistle the Anaghnostos (the reader) kneels infront of the altar’s door, kisses the cross and the priest’s hand, proving his humbleness before God and the congregation, so that he might not be proud of his voice or his readings.Ģ – Reading the names of the father Patriarchs, who have reposed in the Lord After the commemoration of the saints, when the deacon serving inside the altar says: “Let the readers (the Anaghnostos) say the names of our Saint fathers the Patriarchs who have reposed, may the Lord repose their souls all and forgive us our sins.” In the old days, the names of the Patriarchs were written on many tablets, and after hearing this response, each Anaghnostos used to call out some of the names. to be humble and meek, not to be proud of his voice or serviceġ – Daily Readings Reading the daily readings in church: especially the Epistles in Coptic and Arabic/English, that’s why he should learn the introduction and end of each Epistle in Coptic and Arabic/English. to practice spiritual virtues and means of grace: confession, Holy Communion, attending the church and reading from the Holy Bible.ħ. to be tested in good reading with understanding of the Holy Bibleĥ. to be recommended by the priest and congregation, without any objection from anybody.Ĥ.
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witnessed by everyone for his good deeds and mannersģ. So it means the chapter related to the reader, or the reader of chapters. Anaghnostos is a Greek word formed of two parts: “Anagnoc” which means “chapter”, and “toc” which means “related to him”.