Does Eastern Orthodoxy (or Eastern Catholicism) have lay orders?

[PhilippelArabe]

I'm an Eastern Christian living in a Catholic country and I recently met a few people involved with Opus Dei. It seems to be a really cool group of people very involved in their faith.


I'm wondering if there are equivalents in Eastern Christianity, if not why?


Also why does Catholicism have so many different monastic orders like the Jesuits, the Dominicans, the Franciscans etc but nothing like that exists in the east? Is it because of the situation that most Eastern Christian countries found themselves in, under Ottoman occupation (doesn't explain Russia or parts of the Balkans though) or is it because of a theological difference?


Thanks and God bless you all!

 

[sculleywr]

We do have a few official orders, such as the only one commonly used today being the Reader. However, at least here in America, we don't tonsure door keepers and the like very often. I've never met one, at least.

We do, however, have many non-tonsured lay positions, such as for teachers in sunday school classes, some choir leaders, and other such positions.

 

[Widlast]

I'm an Eastern Christian living in a Catholic country and I recently met a few people involved with Opus Dei. It seems to be a really cool group of people very involved in their faith.


I'm wondering if there are equivalents in Eastern Christianity, if not why?


Also why does Catholicism have so many different monastic orders like the Jesuits, the Dominicans, the Franciscans etc but nothing like that exists in the east? Is it because of the situation that most Eastern Christian countries found themselves in, under Ottoman occupation (doesn't explain Russia or parts of the Balkans though) or is it because of a theological difference?


Thanks and God bless you all!

Eastern monasticism is older (and this is just my opinion) more unified in it's approach to monasticism and it's practice.

The reason that there are so may orders in the West is (again my opinion) due to 3 factors:
isolation - a group of ascetics bands together decides they need a rule, the rule is later given valid status by Bishop or Pope
purpose - different orders have different charism or purpose
culture - it has been the culture of Rome to allow for a multiplicity of orders rather than demand they all conform to one rule

There really isn't much of a need for lay orders in the East. The Orthodox monks that I know are always willing to have non-clergy come stay with them (as long as they are well behaved and are willing to live under the rule as a monk would).
I still have an open invitation to stay at Mt. Athos (if I ever get the time).

There is Saint Anthony's in the Desert here in the US. Say hello to Elder Ephraim if you drop by.

 

[ArmyMatt]

we do have some lay brotherhoods, but the main thing is obedience to your spiritual father. that is the key to lay holiness.

that is also why we tend not to have orders for monastics. it is the local abbot or abbess who determines the ministry of the monastery