Canon 41 Recluses are first tested in a monastery

Those in cities or villages who wish to withdraw into enclosures and to give heed to themselves alone must first enter a monastery and be trained in the anchoritic way of life; and for a period of three years be subject in the fear of God to the head of the monastery, and fulfil obedience in all things, as is fitting; and so, professing their resolve for such a life, and that they embrace it willingly and with their whole heart, be examined by the local president. Then, in this way, for another year they must persevere outside the enclosure, so that their aim may be the more fully made manifest. For then they will give full assurance that they pursue this stillness not hunting after empty glory, but for the sake of the truly good itself. And after the completion of so long a time, if they abide in the same resolve, they are to be enclosed, and it is no longer to be permitted to them to depart from such solitude when they wish; except if they be drawn to this for the common profit and benefit, or by some other necessity pressing them toward death, and then with the blessing of the local bishop. And those who, apart from the reasons stated, undertake to go out of their dwellings are, in the first place, to be shut up against their will in the said enclosure, and then to be treated with fastings and other hardships, knowing, according to what is written, that No one who has put his hand to the plough and turned back is fit for the kingdom of the heavens.