Abbey (Monastery - Monastery)
An Abbey (from Latin Abbatia, derived from Syriac abba, "father"), or nunnery is a convent Christian or convent, under the government of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community. The term can also refer to an establishment that has long ceased to function as an Abbey, but still carries the name, in some cases for centuries (eg Westminster Abbey). Origins It is the oldest known Christian monastic community also called monasticism, consisted of groups of cells or huts collected about a common center, which used to be the home of a hermit or anchorite famous for holiness or singular asceticism, but without any attempt at settlement ordered. This arrangement probably followed the example given in part by the Essenes in Judea. In the early years of Christendom and monasticism the ascetics were accustomed to living alone, independent of each other, not far from some village church, supporting themselves by the work of their hand...