page_title: Christianity in the 4th century
section_title: Eastern monasticism
hierarchical_section_title: Christianity in the 4th century / Monasticism / Eastern monasticism
caption_attribution_description: English: The Ladder of Paradise icon described by John Climacus.
context_page_description: Christianity in the 4th century was dominated in its early stage by Constantine the Great and the First Council of Nicaea of 325, which was the beginning of the period of the First seven Ecumenical Councils, and in its late stage by the Edict of Thessalonica of 380, which made Nicene Christianity the state church of the Roman Empire.
context_section_description: Orthodox monasticism does not have religious orders as in the West, so there are no formal monastic rules; rather, each monk and nun is encouraged to read all of the Holy Fathers and emulate their virtues. There is also no division between the "active" and "contemplative" life. Orthodox monastic life embraces both active and contemplative aspects.
caption: Icon Depicting Souls Ascent to Heaven after Death
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