Dormition Abbey > Our Community > The Benedictine Way of Life
The Benedictine Way of Life
Monastic life and residing in a monastery seems somewhat strange to many people of today. Why do monks live a "different" life?
To seek God as a Community
"To seek God as a community" - this, in a nutshell,
is the Benedictine way of life: Each individual monk chooses this life
style because of his yearning to find God and in order to deepen his relationship
with God more and more. To give priority to this searching for God does
not mean to despise life and the world we live in by doing so, nor does
it mean to under-rate life and its value; but it does mean seeking fulfilment
for oneself and for others.
To choose the way of searching as a community means mutual acceptance
and support for one another and recognising the gifts, abilities and strengths
of individuals.
The life of the monk is moulded by praying together and by communal services,
by spiritual reading, meditation and private prayer, and by working, according
to ones ability, for the common good of the community.
The Benedictine Community is not inward looking but reaches out and opens
its doors to the outside world mainly through its hospitality.
The Life of the Benedictines on Mount Zion and in Tabgha
Choral singing and the celebration of the Eucharist are in the
centre of the spiritual life of our community and a fundamental part of
the day. Here in the Holy Land we pray in particular for unity amongst
Christians and peace and understanding amongst the people of the Middle
East. Our prayers are enriched by the treasures found in the liturgy of
other Christian churches and also - as far as possible - in Judaism and
Islam.
In the workshop of one of our brothers icons are being painted We also
produce several different kinds of incense.
We are involved in the dialogue with the monotheistic religions, especially
in Jewish-Christian dialogue and are promoting the contact between Germans,
Israelis and Palestinians.
In order to create further facilities for meetings and discussions between
Israelis and Palestinians we are currently planning the construction of
an "Academy of Peace Beit Benedikt" to enhance understanding
and reconciliation through seminars and conferences.
Every two years the "Mount Zion Award" is presented in the Dormition
Church to people who have made an outstanding contribution to the dialogue
between Christians, Jews and Muslims.
Spiritual concerts especially organ concerts are performed in our basilica
in cooperation with international Christian and Jewish organisations to
enhance mutual understanding. We endeavour to support Christian families,
communities and social institutions in the Holy Land through spiritual
advise, organisational help and financial assistance.
Tabgha provides a meeting place where groups of children, youths, the
handicapped and senior citizens from social institutions in Israel are
able to camp during their holidays.
An important area of responsibility for the Abbey is a study program,
in German "Theologisches Studienjahr", attended by approximately
20 German-speaking catholic and protestant students of theology each year.
We are committed to scientific and spiritual exchange between the churches
in Jerusalem for the unity amongst Christians, unity in diversity on the
basis of : Unity in the necessary things, freedom in all the others and
love in all. An example for this is the "Ecumenical Gathering of
Churches" which is being held once a year in conjunction with the
German Lutheran Community of the Redeemer Church in Jerusalem.
The way we accommodate our guests and show our concern for pilgrims should
always reflect Benedictine Hospitality.