Saint Sophrony of Essex speaks to us
In coenobitic monastic life, in the ideal order, the goal is set to attain that union for which Christ prayed: „That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us” (John 17:21); in other words, after the likeness of the unity of the Holy Trinity. God is one, but one in three Hypostases; and, according to the words of the revelation of Holy Scripture: „Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26), we must understand that in the unoriginate mind of our Creator, man is conceived as a single one, yet in a great number of hypostases.
In this wondrous unity, each one, within their own hypostasis, is the center of all: all people and all things are for them. And they, in turn, give all that is theirs and their whole self to all and to each. No one is either greater or lesser. Each, bearing in their prayer all members of the community, tends to attain what is set before us as a commandment: „Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:39), in other words, as one's own life. If the members of the monastic community truly understand and bear this task within themselves, then they beneficently influence one another in the common struggle to attain unity in God. Thus is forged the union of efforts, a close collaboration, a convergence in the impetus of a pious realization which ensures elevation into the spiritual sphere of the Kingdom of the Holy Trinity.
And so, may the blessing of the Lord be upon you all, my brothers and sisters.
From "Spiritual Discourses" (Vol. I)
Reîntregirea Publishing House, 2004
Translated by Hieromonk Raphael Noica