Anchorite

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The church at Shere, Surrey, England had a cell for an anchoress

This article refers to the vocational religious aspect of the life of an Anchorite Christian. For other uses of the word, see Anchorite (disambiguation)

Anchorite (male)/anchoress (female), from the Greek ἀναχωρέω anachōreō, signifying "to withdraw", "to depart into the rural countryside", denotes someone who, for religious reasons, withdraws from secular society and leads an intensely prayer-oriented and, circumstances permitting, Mass-focused life. Anchorites are usually considered to be a species of religious hermit^[1], living a solitary monastic life, but it is important to retain a clear distinction between the two: whereas a hermit normally withdraws into a truly remote place and shuns most daily contact with other people, anchorites tend to withdraw to cells closely connected to public churches and are often available for religious counsel while still maintaining a type of solitary style of life.

The life of the anchorite became most widespread during the early and high Middle Ages. Anchorites and anchoresses of the Middle Ages usually built a simple cell in which to dwell against one wall of the local village church. The wall was penetrated by a small, shuttered window facing the body of the church, so the anchoress or anchorite could observe Mass and be passed trays of food. There was often also a barred window facing the outside world, where the solitary could provide advice and counsel to visitors, as these men and women gained a reputation for wisdom. Anchorites never left their abode, ate frugal meals, and spent their days in contemplative prayer.

Some anchoresses, on the other hand, became the founts of gossip for their communities and knew everything that was going on in the village, either by being told or observing it. Many churches were centrally located, and someone walled into the side of one, constantly watching, would see much.

The most famous anchoress is probably Julian of Norwich, a Medieval solitary who has left a lasting impression on Christian spirituality thanks to her writings.

In the Roman Catholic Church today anchorites, after making a public profession of vows of the three evangelical counsels in the hands of their diocesan bishop, are officially recognised as living a consecrated life (canon 603), just as other monks and members of religious orders are. Although there are a few people who have revived the life of the hermit under vows within the Church, the life of anchorites has not undergone a similar revival.