The monastery is a place set apart from the life of the world, yet located in the world. A place where monastics gather that have dedicated their life to the love and service of God and their neighbor. In the daily cycle of prayer, work, and service to God and man, the monk attracts and seeks to acquire the grace of God. In simplicity and silence, living out the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the monastery becomes a spiritual haven for others to receive "a drink of water" in the name of Jesus Christ. As visitors come and are renewed by stepping away from their world for a short time, they in turn take the grace they have received into the world they live and share this blessing from God.

"The monk flees far from the world, not because he detests the world, but because he loves the world and in this way he is better able to help the world through his prayer, in things that don't happen humanly but only through divine intervention. In this way God saves the world."                  
                                                                          Elder Paisios

Lay people must also honour monasticism in heart and in deed, so as to be able at least in some measure to partake of the grace of monasticism through others. To this end Father Seraphim advised people to give alms to Monasteries or to work for them. (St. Seraphim of Sarov - A Spiritual Biography, Archimandrite Lazarus Moore, New Sarov Press, 1994, p. 261.)

For even one dwelling in a city may imitate the self-denial of the monks; yea, one who has a wife, and is busied in a household, may pray, and fast, and learn compunction. Since they also, who at the first were instructed by the apostles, though they dwelt in cities, yet showed forth the piety of the occupiers of the deserts: and others again who had to rule over workshops, as Priscilla and Aquila.(St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew, Homily 55.)