The monk seems eerie and unknown to many. It seems that he looks only at his soul, that he offers nothing to the Church, to the world.
This is not the case. If the Church has been preserved for so many years, it is due to monasticism. He who enters the monastery and gives everything to Christ enters the Church.
One might say, “Do those who live alone in a cave help the Church?” Yes. They help the Church secretly.
One who lives in the cave may not make trees and gardens, books, and others that help in life or progress, but in there he creates and evolves and becomes like a god.
The ascetics live in the cave so that no one distracts them from their spiritual life. With their warm and clean life and especially with their prayer they help the Church.
I will tell you something that will seem excessive. But, my children, I want you to believe me. This is the offering of the monk’s prayer. Listen to me carefully.
Suppose we have seven preacher theologians who are saints in their lives. Their rhetoric is unattainable. Each has its own parish, which consists of ten thousand parishioners. Seventy thousand people listen to their speech every day.
Thousands are shocked to hear them, repent, return to Christ, whole families are saved. But a monk that no one sees, sitting in a cave, with his humble prayer has a much greater effect.
One against seven has greater results. This is what I see. I’m sure. Here is the meaning of the monk’s prayer. He is alone in his monastic cell, but the waves of his prayer reach all people, even if they are far away.
With prayer, the monk participates in all the problems of the people and works miracles.
Saint Porphyrios of Kafsokalivia