I understand that members of the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos have “no boundaries.” What does this mean?
A. When Christian monasticism first developed in the 3rd century after Jesus’ death and resurrection, it was a life of solitude and intense asceticism. Monks and nuns were encouraged to remain in their cells so that their cells could teach them all that they needed to know. This was especially helpful to those who were facing their interior weakness for the first time and this idea of keeping to the cell developed over time into the idea of the cloister: a place where one entered and did not leave without good reason and permission from the Superior. This lifestyle certainly encourages stability of a particular sort but, even in the most cloistered monastery, there are still comings and goings and guests to be welcomed. The Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos believes that we must look deeper for that which provides stability; we must look to the Lord our God. It is only from God that true stability can proceed and so the Monk, Tertiary, or Companion carries the monastery with him or
