Christian monasticism before 451

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Monasticism (from the Greek word monachos meaning "alone") is a way of life where a person lives outside of society, under religious vows.^[1]

Christian monasticism developed as a spontaneous religious movement, with individuals and groups withdrawing from society throughout the centuries. By the early 400s, thousands of Christians were living outside society. The Council of Chalcedon in 451 officially recognised the Christian monastic way of life, and placed all monastic communities and hermits under the supervision and responsibility of bishops, limiting the freedom of movement of monastic individuals.^[2]