Monasticism
Monastic Tonsure
The rite of monastic profession. Three degrees: Rassophore (beginner, receives the rason), Stavrophore/Small Schema (cross-bearer, full monastic vows), and Great Schema (highest degree, total renunciation). Each level involves deeper vows of obedience, chastity, poverty, and stability. New monks receive a new name.
Sources
- Euchologion (Monastic Rites) OCA, the services
- St. Theodore the Studite, Catechetical Discourses (on the monastic profession)