cenobite
cenobite
(Greek: koinos, common; bios, life)
A monk who forms one of a religious community, as distinguished from a hermit or anchorite , one who leads a solitary or eremitical life. The cenobitical type of monasticism was instituted by Saint Pachomius in the East, c.318 , and, considerably modified by Saint Basil , gradually replaced the eremitical. Its introduction into the West dates from the visit to Rome of Saint Athanasius , c.340 . The greatest development, adapting it to Western needs, came through Saint Benedict’s Rule. See also monasticism, coenobium .