The Path of Mary and Martha

Each person has two paths, both save. The path of Martha and the path of Mary. Martha's path is an active service to others, as is the call of the good cleric. Mary's path is the choice of the "unique need", the monastic life.
The monk listens to the Lord and and sits at His feet. Both paths save, the second is higher, but we choose that for our salvation. You can die in a monastery and you can be saved in the world. Monasticism is the face of the church, which is always focused on God, and priesthood, s the face of the church, which turned to the world, towards the people. These are the two faces of the church who are happy. - Archimandrite George (Sheston)